63 vette oil pressure line

[Timothy B.]

I am in the process of installing a new copper plated oil pressure line on my 63 vette and I am not sure where to bend and how to route it. The book shows two bends by the distributor and I am wondering if someone can explain better. Also, are the 5/16" fittings that attach to each end available anymore, the fittings that came with the line are 3/8" wrench size?

Thanks very much, Timothy Barbieri

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 vette oil pressure line

There isn't much to bend or route. The replacement line comes coiled up. Uncoil about a foot or so of material and feed it through the fire wall gromet. It should reach the oil gage. The balance is left coiled. Just fasten the fittings at the rear of the block and at the oil gage.

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 vette oil pressure line

correct fittings should be available from local auto parts store. mike

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 vette oil pressure line

I have heard talk about a coil in the line on some cars but my 63 assembly manual does not show this. The Paragon line is 26" long, does this line need to be trimmed or should I use the entire length? Also not sure if I should have two bends in the line by the distributor. My 67 looks as if there is one bend and very crudely installed. Thanks again, Tim

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 vette oil pressure line

Make sure you verify with a MAGNATE that the oil pressure line is copper plated STEEL and not copper.

There are still vendors out there selling copper lines, which will likely break after a short period of service.

totally unsuitable for ANY automotive plumbing application.

Duke

[Pete Van Seggern #30920]

Who sells the steel lines?

Who sells the copper plated steel line. That's what my original was, but I replaced with one from ----. It was just the plain copper. Didn't think about the work hardening angle, but it really seems I should get something better.
PS- my car's an early '63. The hole in the emergency brake bracket comes nowhere near lining up with the back of the oil pressure gage. Was that ever corrected on later cars?

[Dave K.]

Re: Who sells the steel lines?

I bought my copper plated steel line from Paragon and it was delivered in two days. They appear to be the only ones stocking the correct line. There is no coil loop in a small block line. I inspected another 66 small block that had never been touched and than modeled the run with a wire template that I used to run my line. Line comes out of firewall bends 90deg. toward passenger side and than down into block fitting. I cut about 1 in. off mine with a tubing cutter. The hole in my 66 emergency brake bracket lines up perfectly with the back of the oil press. gauge.

Regards,
Dave Kitch
33108

[Timothy B.]

Re: Who sells the steel lines?

I am replacing mine because it's copper. Paragon is the vendor I purchased the copper plated steel line from and a magnet does stick to the line. I am just curious why the assembly manual for my 63 and 67 show two bends on the line in the engine compartment. I now need to purchase the adapter for the engine block as I thought it came with the kit.