The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Oil pressure line snapped - now what

I was backing out of the garage and noticed the smoke from under the hood (52 suburban)- the clear flexible oil pressure line snapped and started pumping oil onto the manifold - I lost about 1 1/2 quarts max. Can I run the truck if i just plug up the pressure hole at the bottom of the block until it is replaced? Are the copper replacement lines from 'chevys of the 40's' site any good? are there other replacements available? Lastly, any tips on getting the line off from behind the gauge? any help is appreciated here. Thanks

That kit for Chevs of the 40s should have all the parts you need. Just disconnect and remove the plastic line and connectors.

For what it's worth I have always used the plastic line kit made specifically for oil pressure guages and have never had a problem.

Good luck whichever way you go.

You should be able to get a replacement locally.

Cletis- when you say locally, do you mean at pep boys or napa?

Here is what I use $13

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-77-Oil-Pressure-Gauge-Line-Kit/productinfo/24-781/

thank you for the replys so far - have you encountered any issues with kink or routing the lines through the fire wall? Any tip son getting the line screwed out of the guage behind the firewall?

Use a small flare wrench 1/4" I think.

It can be easy to screw up the back of the guage if too much pressure on the fitting is needed to lossen it. Just take your time.

I just picked up a (copper tubing complete kit) replacement for mine at Auto Zone for $11.99.

Just a thought: If there is enough of the plastic line left you can go to NAPA or another parts house and buy the compression sleeve. All you will need to do is re-attach the old line with the new sleeve. Good luck!

Joe Trav

The plastic becomes brittle after a while, so just replace it or go with the copper line from NAPA or one of the venders on this site. The piece that fits the gauge is a compression fitting, you will need to replace it or open it back up to accept the new line. Look at the link to Classic Parts above, you will see the end of the brass fitting is a cone, this squeezes the copper line sealing it off. If yours is already clamped down on plastic line, it will be tough to get the new copper line in place. Its best to cut the old line at the gauge and back the fitting out using a small wrench, 1/4" or 5/16". NAPA might have the gauge fitting as well as the line, take the old one with you. The block should have a 1/4" pipe threaded hole, just remove the oil line fitting and install a plug of the same thread.

Joe

I think the hole in the block is usually 1/8" pipe, not 1/4". Copper line seems to be more durable than plastic, and it also looks more period-correct, if that matters to you.
Jerry

Here is an earlier discussion with part numbers.

Thank you for the info. Pep boys have a 6 foot roll of the copper tubing. My only concern is how to get the small roll straightened out without kinking it. Have any of you had that issue or does it unroll and straighten out without to much fuss?

Just be careful with it. It unrolls easily and can be bent without kinking it (unless it is a really thin-walled tube).

once unrolled you can roll it on the floor under a piece of wood till its straight as an arrow. kind of like using a rolling pin on dough just the oposite way.

I wanted to add to this thread at this late date because I believe this is the part I need:


The fitting which goes from the block to the pressure line/oil line to canister, was broken when the Blue Funk was hit by a Semi.

I'm gonna stop by my FLAPS and check it out.

The way to deal with the gauge is to cut the line close to the gauge and get the old line out of the way.

Make sure to make a loop in the line near the engine to take up vibration.