I bought a replacement oil pressure line a while back, and later found out that the copper ones (like the one I had) were prone to break. Does anyone carry a steel replacement? Or can I use a plastic line?
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
Hi Dan,
I know Paragon sells the copper plated steel oil pressure line which is correct of the 1963-67 small blocks.
Regards,
Page Campbell -
Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
Not 100% sure about this, but I believe small blocks used a copper line and BB used a copper/steel line.Comment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
Dan-----
I'm not sure if the originals were actually copper or copper-plated steel. In any event, all of the reproductions available are copper plated steel so obtaining a steel line is no problem, at all. Obtaining a fully copper line (if one wanted such a line) might be the problem.
Also, you can use a plastic line if you wish as a functional replacement. These lines are actually nylon and are really quite durable. They're not "forever", of course, but installed now, it will likely last you as long as you're ever going to need it. Obviously, such a line would be "incorrect", though.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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You are dead wrong!!!
I am ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY 100 PERCENT SURE that all midyears were originally equipped a copper plated STEEL LINE!!!
Copper is a VERY POOR material in a vibration environment. It will rapidly work harden, become brittle, and BREAK, and no engineer, not even one with only a rudimenatary knowledge of material properties, would ever specify copper tubing in a vibration environment.
At yesterday's SoCal Chapter meet I found one copper oil pressure gage line - checked EVERY SINGLE ONE with a magnet. This particular line was new and looked suspicious, and once I verified that is was non-magnetic, cautioned the owner to replace it with a proper copper plated steel line ASAP.
Most of the others (except for one '67 L-68) appeared to be original based on their somewhat weathered condition.
This is a significant reliability/safety issue and all these "fake" copper oil pressure lines need to be purged from suppliers forever and ever after!
DukeComment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
Then why do copper lines show up on cars at judging meets? Copper lines are out there and they are DANGEROUS.
DukeComment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
Duke,
What I want to know is: Do you really feel strong about this? Going around and checking everyone's oil line at an NCRS meet! You've got to be kidding!
I've been restoring and tearing apart GM cars for better than thirty years and I have never seen a copper plated steel line in one yet. Not unless it came from Paragon that is!
I not saying that they didn't exist. I've just never seen one.
I totally agree that the steel line would be safer but the question is:
Why would GM go to the trouble to plate a steel line copper in the small block cars and not use the same copper plated steel line in the big block cars?
Please answer this burning question for me!
Regards,
JRComment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
Duke-----
If, indeed, the original lines were copper-plated steel, then I would strongly suspect that any "plain copper" type out there are "made-up" lines. In other words, where someone goes to a hardware store and buys a length of bulk copper tubing and uses it with original or other fittings.
GM never had available in SERVICE a pre-made oil pressure gauge line for cars with metal lines. So, as far as they were concerned, a made-up line was all that you could do (like fuel lines and brake lines). Until the reproduction sources came along for all these lines, you could only obtain one by making them up.
What material is the line on your car? If it's a known-original, that should settle the issue of whether the original lines were copper-coated steel or just plain copper. I really doubt that GM used both materials. If, as early as 1963, they were using copper-plated steel, I feel pretty confident that they would not have later changed to just plain copper.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
I was on the mechanical 1 judging team, and the oil pressure line is within that section of judging.
Big blocks have a loop in the line - bigger engine, more torque, more engine movement. The loop reduces cyclic strain in the line, which reduces the possibility of fatigue failures. Brake lines from master cylinders are looped on many GM cars for the same reason, especially with power brakes.
I've never seen a weathered seemingly original oil pressure line that was NOT copper plated steel.
DukeComment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
The original oil pressure line from my SWC is coppper plated steel, verified with a magnet as is the replacement, but there have been reports of broken lines, all of which turned out to be copper as far as I know, and some were supposedly purchased from Corvette parts vendors, so they are out there, but I don't know how long or how many are installed.
The only thing I know for sure is that oil pressure signal lines fabricated from copper tubing will eventually break, but I can't quntify their life in terms of miles.
I recommend that EVERYONE check their oil pressure gage signal line with a magnet, and if the magnet doesn't stick, replace the line with a proper copper plated steel repro ASAP.
A steel signal line will likely never break, but the reason why we replace them is because it is easier to by a proper copper plated steel reproduction than restore the original copper plated finish on originals. The only way to absolutely determine the tube material is to test with a magnet, because to casual observation a copper plated steel line is easily misidentified as fabricated from copper tubing.
DukeComment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
Duke/Joe, as the original owner of a 64-365HP, I was compelled to check my oil pressure line in order to contribute to this thread. I can attest that the original line is COPPER and NOT copper clad steel.Comment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
Jack,
Thank you Jack! It's members like you with original cars that are willing to come forward that we owe a debt of gratitude.
Also, makes me feel that this part-timers I have has not completly set in for the duration.
Regards,
JRComment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
JR,
I just check my 67 S/B original oil pressure line with a magnet. Original was steel/copper, new is plain copper.
Now what does this all mean???? What really is correct? The last thing I want is oil pissing out all over my engine or interior.Comment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
Clarification please:
The fouth addition Technical/judging Manual states:
"The oil line is steel" Page 112Comment
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Re: C2 Oil Pressure Line
Small Block is copper Big Block is Steel.
Page 84 SB
Page 112 BBComment
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