What are you guys running for an oil pressure line? I have a mechanical which i love but i hate this plastic line Its a huge problem if it busts or eventually rots. What are my options for this line?
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I used 1/8" copper tubing way back, and didnt trust plastic. When I used to install vending machines in the '90s, plastic water line (1/4") became an option......and I scoffed at it. Then I took a piece and tried to wreck it with my bare hands, and could not. Used pliers, and it didnt care. Set machines on top of it, and it laughed at me. So, I started to use it.....except in High rise buildings and hospitals......they would not allow it. Maybe they never tried to wreck it. I dont know about the plastic oil line, and of course, there is a lot of heat when connecting to an engine.
My son had the plastic line that comes with most oil pressure gauges and it melted leaving him with a giant oil leak luckily he had a set of vice grips to clamp it shut because it happened late at night in the middle of no where . NHRA does not allow plastic line on gauges.
Get rid of the DAMN plastic line; replace w/ copper -- don't trust engine failure for a few dollars and hours worth of work. I replace mine years ago, b4 I had a problem. If plastic was indestructible there wouldn't be a need for an option. I learned a lesson a few years ago when I had the nipples on a plastic gas filter deform from heat; released fuel all over engine bay, car stalled , left me on the hook/stranded , lucky car didn't go up in smoke. I cringe everytime I see one of those filters on any car. No more plastic for me -- if there's an alternative...
If it were not for a possible heat issue I would not have a problem with plastic.. BUT in over 50 years, I'm yet to install any oil pressure using plastic. I tossed the plastic line that came with Comet gauges before I installed them. Gage on Cobra came with copper, no issue & has been installed since 1973.
I won't run a mechanical oil pressure gauge in my car ever again. Had a gauge leak one time, not the line but the actual gauge. Oil came out of the back light bulb socket. Luckily it shot all of the hot oil straight down into the carpet instead of at me. Made a hell of a mess.
wow. im tempted to go electrical but i like seeing the actual pressure. ill have to think on it, but im for sure going to get some copper line.
That assumes all mechanical gauges are accurate and all electrical are not. The Stewart Warner oil pressure gauges in Shelbys were electrical. If you do go electrical just make sure the gauge and sending units are matched. The last and final time I ran a mechanical oil gauge, the plastic tubing eventually failed and saturated my carpet with oil. The Stewart Warner I use today moves just like a mechanical with nearly instant feedback.
With copper lines (or any metal lines), be sure to put in plenty of "Strain Release" bends. This relieves tension and prohibits line from bending in such a way that the metal crystallizes and breaks. (Just like bending a piece of wire or metal back-and-forth, and eventually breaking).
Tha ks for all the replies guys. Ive decided to fix this with copper for now and then get an electrical gauge ma6be next month. Will be less worry to me. Besides i didnt know the elelctrical gauges were so nice now.
