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Original Message
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| Dave have you ever used copper tube on them- |
| By mcj67 - 02/10/2001 11:26:12 PM; IP 12.78.123.177 |
Hello Dave,
Your right Its worth the extra money for the better gauges.
Its hard to find, but you can get copper tubing, compression rings, and compression nuts that fit oil pressure gauges, If I am not mistaken the tube size is 1/8" OD.(outside diameter)
As long as the plastic tube is not factory pressed into the back of the gauge you can run copper.Most gauges will have the threads on the back that fits 1/8" compression nuts. If its pipe thread on the back of the gauge, just use a
1/8"IPT(iron pipe thread) X 1/8"compression, adapter
I don't remember what brand gauges that I used, but I have hooked up a couple of these guages with copper tubing .
Another thing I used to do in my dirt poor days was.
Once I busted a pressure side power steering line on my
1977 Ford E150, With no money to buy a new one and needing to get to work, and being a plumber by trade, I thought theres got to be a way to use something else to get me through the week. So I took a hacksaw and cut the male and female flare nuts off of the old line, next I measured the inside diameter of the flare nuts ( which were just a little under 3/8"),and then I took the closest size copper tubing I could find (which was 5/16" ) then I flared the first end and hooked it to the pump, then I bent a circle in it ( for the engine movement) put on the other flare nut and flared the line then hooked it to the steering box and away I went, That line lasted for seven years and the only reason it failed was it was rubbing the frame, the flare joints never gave me any problems and looked fine .
Since then I have used copper tubing for power steering lines, and transmission lines on my personal vehicals without any problems, but like anything else there are rules to follow,
First-you should only use flare fittings on the transmission and power steering lines ( compression fittings can slip under high pressure).
Second-the lines have to be ancored well so they don't rub on anything, or put stress on the flare joints.
Third-make sure to install the movement loopes.
I know most people are aware of this, I am just going to put it in for anyone who may not know.
Only use steel lines and double flare joints on brake and fuel systems. Well thats enough for now. Mike Jones
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