58 250 HP Fuelie - Oil and Amp gauge questions

[Douglas C.]

Hello all, I have been away for a while and back now. Always appreciated being part of the group, hope to add some helpful information, not just ask questions for myself.

So, 58 250 HP Fuelie. I have the oil line kit for the distributor, received the oil line kit from Paragon going from distributor T line fitting to oil gauge in dash.
First, it is a steel copper coated line, should this simply be a copper line? And the male fittings, will they crimp the line into the female fittings and seal tight?
Second, I assume the line goes thru the firewall grommet (2 holes / 2 indentations for other holes?), if so which hole does it go thru (pass. side or driver side hole)? I assume the other hole would be for the wiper motor switch cable.

As to Amp gauge, the AIM and other schematics are not clear to me. Engine area harness has a long red lead wire, is that the power source to the Amp gauge? My question is the correct wiring to the Amp gauge. I have the Lectric Limited harness (engine / under dash) just not sure of the exact connections for the Amp gauge.

Hope I am clear on explanations.

Thanks. Doug

[Dan H.]

Re: 58 250 HP Fuelie - Oil and Amp gauge questions

Doug, copper plated steel line is OK. If I remember correctly, the AIM amp schematic was incorrect, will need info from 58-60 guys on that. There was an article in the Restorer eons ago about this. Leaving on a trip in the morning so can't help just now. Be careful!
Dan

[Douglas C.]

Re: 58 250 HP Fuelie - Oil and Amp gauge questions

Doug, copper plated steel line is OK. If I remember correctly, the AIM amp schematic was incorrect, will need info from 58-60 guys on that. There was an article in the Restorer eons ago about this. Leaving on a trip in the morning so can't help just now. Be careful!
Dan

Thanks Dan, need to get this right, sure someone will fill me in, enjoy your trip.

Doug

[Duke W.]

Re: 58 250 HP Fuelie - Oil and Amp gauge questions

First, it is a steel copper coated line, should this simply be a copper line?
Thanks. Doug

ABOLUTELY NOT!!! Copper rapidly "work hardens", which makes it brittle and subject to failure in any application with significant vibration. Any form of copper tubing has absolutely no business in an autmotive application.

The trouble is that some dumb-sh...t vendor(s) began selling copper replacements. One of the problems with these guys is that they don't understand materials engineering... or any other engineering discipline for that matter.

The OE pipe was definitely copper plated steel, and when I judge Mech I at chapter meets I check it with a magnet. If not magnetic I tell the owners in no uncertain terms that the line must be replaced with a proper copper plated steel tube. Otherwise it could fail at any time without notice.

Duke

[Douglas C.]

Re: 58 250 HP Fuelie - Oil and Amp gauge questions

ABOLUTELY NOT!!! Copper rapidly "work hardens", which makes it brittle and subject to failure in any application with significant vibration. Any form of copper tubing has absolutely no business in an autmotive application.

The trouble is that some dumb-sh...t vendor(s) began selling copper replacements. One of the problems with these guys is that they don't understand materials engineering... or any other engineering discipline for that matter.

The OE pipe was definitely copper plated steel, and when I judge Mech I at chapter meets I check it with a magnet. If not magnetic I tell the owners in no uncertain terms that the line must be replaced with a proper copper plated steel tube. Otherwise it could fail at any time without notice.

Duke

Thanks Duke, I later did look into this and you are of course correct. I also, if correct, will put about a 1 1/2" vertical loop in this line before the firewall grommet.

Any thoughts on my original second part question, Amp gauge correct wiring? I read where people say the AIM and other references has the power red feed incorrect on the Amp gauge.


Thanks again.

Doug

[Duke W.]

Re: 58 250 HP Fuelie - Oil and Amp gauge questions

A loop is good, but I'm not sure it's it's original on a C1. I don't believe it was original on a C2. Brake pipes often are "looped" between the master cylinder and junction block/pressure switch/prop. valve, which minimizes material stress due to flexing of the booster/mastercylinder relative to the frame by spreading the strain over a longer length of pipe.

...can't help with the ammeter wiring as I think C1 is different C2. I recall someone saying that the entire electrical load goes through the ammeter of a C1, but I don't know if that's correct. The C2 ammeter is actually a voltmeter that responds to the slight voltage difference between two points in the electrical system.

Duke

[Pat H.]

Re: 58 250 HP Fuelie - Oil and Amp gauge questions

The loop on the oil line is just after it passes through the firewall. As for the Amp gauge, the current diagram is incorrect. Just do the reverse of what the diagram says. John Hinckley wrote a thread a while ago on this very subject. If you're using the one that Lectric sells just reverse the back and red wires to the gauge.

[Douglas C.]

Re: 58 250 HP Fuelie - Oil and Amp gauge questions

The loop on the oil line is just after it passes through the firewall. As for the Amp gauge, the current diagram is incorrect. Just do the reverse of what the diagram says. John Hinckley wrote a thread a while ago on this very subject. If you're using the one that Lectric sells just reverse the back and red wires to the gauge.

Thanks a lot Pat!

Doug

[Ken A.]

Re: 58 250 HP Fuelie - Oil and Amp gauge questions

You CAN use a copper oil line. Been using a copper line on a big block 409 for 35 years with nary a leak. Maybe the copper was a better grade back in the day. Now, I would not use copper for a fuel or brake line.

[Richard M.]

Re: 58 250 HP Fuelie - Oil and Amp gauge questions

Yes '58- '61(IIRC) AIM is incorrect about Ammeter. I kindof recall '62 AIM corrects it.

Black from Bat/Sol Feed wire should go to Driver side, Red Reg/Output leads to Pass side of meter.