Copper oil pressure line - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70c10 · 01-26-2006, 12:02 AM

I'm installing an aftermarket oil pressure gauge under the dash and I ran the new line from the manifold into the cab but have like 3 feet extra line. Should I just cut it short and keep the line straight or does it matter if I coil it behind the dash?. The reason I'm really asking is I can't find my tubing cutter

boundstaffpress · 01-26-2006, 12:04 AM

Coil it.

You can always cut it shorter at another time.

cduster · 01-26-2006, 12:57 AM

Coiling it in loops will help to relieve the vibrations so it won't crack as easy.
Same principal as some brake lines, and primer lines and fuel injection lines on airplanes.

Dan

rkarr · 01-26-2006, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cduster

Coiling it in loops will help to relieve the vibrations so it won't crack as easy.
Same principal as some brake lines, and primer lines and fuel injection lines on airplanes.

Dan

Copper is always happier when coiled.

70c10 · 01-26-2006, 08:45 AM

Thanks. I will coil it behind the dash cluster. Does it matter if the line is looped vertically to save space?

cdowns · 01-26-2006, 09:00 AM

you should actually coil it in the engine compartment between engine and firewall is where you have the vibration and flexing occuring causing the cracking of the pressure line

70c10 · 01-26-2006, 09:09 AM

Mine is coiled like that up to a connector. From that connector I ran the "new" copper line into the cab and that's why I have this left over line.

Luvlegs · 01-26-2006, 09:22 AM

When you coil copper, lay a line of silicone across the coils (ties them together) - It changes the resonance of the coil and eliminates vibrational stessing that WILL cause the copper to harden and eventually, crack. Look at any refrigeration system with coiled up pressure lines - real easy pm and that's my .02

70c10 · 01-26-2006, 09:49 AM

Maybe I should have just used the plastic line that came with it.

sneakysnake · 01-26-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70c10

Maybe I should have just used the plastic line that came with it.

If you ever had one break or come loose and shoot off in your floor board you wouldnt say that.LOL You can use the edge of a file to score a ring, to cut small copper tubing.

davidh · 01-26-2006, 02:04 PM

I plan on swiching my plastic ones to copper. The plastic ones don't age very well, all the heat stresses them. If it blows or breaks it will make a real mess quick. Anyone one with a copper line have experience with their reliabiltiy?

70GMCer · 01-26-2006, 04:26 PM

This is how it looked from the factory. I took this off a 68 C20.....

70c10 · 01-26-2006, 07:15 PM

Steve, my factory one looks identical. See the junction 6" above that spiral- I ran my new copper from that junction into the cab. Once inside the cab I guess I'll coil it up several times and hide behind the dash.

70GMCer · 01-26-2006, 07:34 PM

that'll work.......

01-26-2006, 12:02 AM	#1
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Copper oil pressure line I'm installing an aftermarket oil pressure gauge under the dash and I ran the new line from the manifold into the cab but have like 3 feet extra line. Should I just cut it short and keep the line straight or does it matter if I coil it behind the dash?. The reason I'm really asking is I can't find my tubing cutter __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

01-26-2006, 12:04 AM	#2
boundstaffpress Jamie Hyneman is my twin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: La Junta, Colorado Posts: 705	Re: Copper oil pressure line Coil it. You can always cut it shorter at another time. __________________ Justin SOLD 1967 K10 Fleetside, 283, Front and Rear Posi SOLD Color Wiring Diagrams Now in High Resolution V8 and Cab and Cab and Chassis

01-26-2006, 12:57 AM	#3
cduster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 403	Re: Copper oil pressure line Coiling it in loops will help to relieve the vibrations so it won't crack as easy. Same principal as some brake lines, and primer lines and fuel injection lines on airplanes. Dan __________________ Good Judgment comes from experience. Most experience comes from bad judgment.

01-26-2006, 08:45 AM	#5
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Copper oil pressure line Thanks. I will coil it behind the dash cluster. Does it matter if the line is looped vertically to save space? __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

01-26-2006, 09:00 AM	#6
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Copper oil pressure line you should actually coil it in the engine compartment between engine and firewall is where you have the vibration and flexing occuring causing the cracking of the pressure line __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

01-26-2006, 09:09 AM	#7
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Copper oil pressure line Mine is coiled like that up to a connector. From that connector I ran the "new" copper line into the cab and that's why I have this left over line. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

01-26-2006, 09:22 AM	#8
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: Copper oil pressure line When you coil copper, lay a line of silicone across the coils (ties them together) - It changes the resonance of the coil and eliminates vibrational stessing that WILL cause the copper to harden and eventually, crack. Look at any refrigeration system with coiled up pressure lines - real easy pm and that's my .02 __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

01-26-2006, 09:49 AM	#9
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Copper oil pressure line Maybe I should have just used the plastic line that came with it. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

01-26-2006, 02:04 PM	#11
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,221	Re: Copper oil pressure line I plan on swiching my plastic ones to copper. The plastic ones don't age very well, all the heat stresses them. If it blows or breaks it will make a real mess quick. Anyone one with a copper line have experience with their reliabiltiy?

01-26-2006, 04:26 PM	#12
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Copper oil pressure line This is how it looked from the factory. I took this off a 68 C20..... Attached Images __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

01-26-2006, 07:15 PM	#13
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Copper oil pressure line Steve, my factory one looks identical. See the junction 6" above that spiral- I ran my new copper from that junction into the cab. Once inside the cab I guess I'll coil it up several times and hide behind the dash. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

01-26-2006, 07:34 PM	#14
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Copper oil pressure line that'll work....... __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang



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