C2-Oil Fill tube installation

[Justin N.]

Dear Members,
I see in the 67 Assembly Manual that the tube points 51 degrees off center from the carb, but does it need sealer? I have purchased a new tube from Paragon and wonder if I should use a block of wood and hammer. It seems to be a pressed fit. What's the best way to insert and make sure it doesn't leak?

My roommate's 1966 Conv. has sealer around the base, like a perma-gasket, and it looks sloppy and Bubba-ized. I think his has been taken apart and reassembled numerous times for leaking. I know for sure his mechanic is a serious hack! Any thoughts? Thank you much!

Justin #41362

[William V.]

Re: C2-Oil Fill tube installation

Justin

I have always just lightly tapped the fill tube into the intake without sealer. Little to no oil will splash in that area of the intake and currently there is no evidence of leaking on my 64 and I do not remember any leaking on the past C2's that I have owned.

[Craig S.]

Re: C2-Oil Fill tube installation

I tap it in and use a film of Loctite blue thread sealer, but you could use a thin film of permatex sealer at the bottom of the area where the tube presses in so none of the sealer shows on the topside. You do want a postive seal here, since there is crankcase pressure to some degree (most should be vented through the PCV system though)whick can cause oil weep.....Craig

[Dick W.]

Re: C2-Oil Fill tube installation

I believe that I would use a very thin coat of Permatex #2 sealer on the bottom of the tube. That way it would be spread as the tube is tapped in. I think that a block of soft wood would work to cushion the tube as you tap it in.

[Mike M.]

Re: C2-Oil Fill tube installation

Pappa smurf: use a hard wood(like yer head) such as oak or maple.pine or poplar will sink into the tube. the general didn't use any sealer--its a mighty tight fit. haven't ever had one leak. mikie

[Joe L.]

Re: C2-Oil Fill tube installation

Justin-----

The crankcase filler tube used for pre-69 Corvette small blocks was a swaged fit in the manifold. With a swaged fit, the tube can only be properly installed ONCE. That ONCE is the first time a NEW tube is installed in the manifold. Subsequently, if the tube is removed and re-installed it will never be as tight as it was the first time----that's the nature of a swaged fit. Although the original tubes were installed without sealer, if a tube is removed and re-installed, it may need sealer, anaerobic sleeve retention compound or something else in order to "replace" the "forever lost" swaged fit. Most of the time, such attempts will produce "disappointing results" over the long haul.

If you are installing a NEW tube, and assuming that the tube is properly constructed and of the exact same OD as the original, you can achieve an as-new fitment. Be VERY, VERY careful when you install the new tube, though. It MUST go in straight-and-true. Otherwise, it will not achieve the proper swaged fit, will end up "loose", and you'll need to purchase another tube.

[Justin N.]

Re: C2-Oil Fill tube installation

Dear Members,
Thank you all for the advice! Papa Smurf, is Mahogany hard enough for your head?
Justin #41362

[Dick W.]

Re: C2-Oil Fill tube installation

Mahogany, locust, oak, etc would work fine fer me head.

[Tracy C.]

a serious hack?... R U talking 'bout #14 again?? *NM*