1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

[Frederick H.]

Well, the "This should be simple" things continue to not be so. I have the instrument cluster loosened and the column lowered, but when I got under the dash to loosen the oil pressure line, I noticed the fitting had already been somewhat rounded. It appears to be a brass fitting, and in my efforts to remove, I have squashed the fitting to where it is not reusable. Does anyone know what type of line fitting is inside the gauge (flared, etc.)? I am thinking about cutting the line as close as I can to the outside fitting as there appears to be enough line left to reach the gauge without having to replace (it is the original line). I hate interior work.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Fred

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

Well, the "This should be simple" things continue to not be so. I have the instrument cluster loosened and the column lowered, but when I got under the dash to loosen the oil pressure line, I noticed the fitting had already been somewhat rounded. It appears to be a brass fitting, and in my efforts to remove, I have squashed the fitting to where it is not reusable. Does anyone know what type of line fitting is inside the gauge (flared, etc.)? I am thinking about cutting the line as close as I can to the outside fitting as there appears to be enough line left to reach the gauge without having to replace (it is the original line). I hate interior work.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Fred

Visit http://www.paulmazutcorvette.com/services_parts/engine/ for parts that should be correct for the oil line.

Dennis

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

Visit http://www.paulmazutcorvette.com/services_parts/engine/ for parts that should be correct for the oil line.

Dennis

Thanks for that link. I knew Paul repaired broken C1 windshield post tabs but no idea he a broad offering of parts!

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

The original oil line fitting is a 5/16" hex. Very hard part to find as today the fitting has a 3/8" hex head.
Paul makes a nice 5/16" repro for $10.00 as I have seen NOS on Ebay for the asking price of $35.00!!! I assume his is a repro. It may be NOS?

[Jim D.]

Re: 1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

The original oil line fitting is a 5/16" hex. Very hard part to find as today the fitting has a 3/8" hex head.
Paul makes a nice 5/16" repro for $10.00 as I have seen NOS on Ebay for the asking price of $35.00!!! I assume his is a repro. It may be NOS?

My local hydraulic supply co. has them. The last ones I bought were about a dollar each.

[Jim D.]

Re: 1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

To add to my post above, the correct fittings are not as hard to find or as expensive as John believes. I just received the oil line kit for my 65 big block that included the correct copper coated steel line and 2 correct 5/16" fittings and was only $18.

[Richard G.]

Re: 1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

I'm going to add a cautionary tail to this subject.
A friend of mine purchased all new oil gauge and the lines for his 68 Camaro. This was for his replacement gauge cluster that goes in the center council. After completely rebuilding the car and having driven it for most of last summer he found oil was dripping of oil under the car. Traced it to a missing plug in the floorboard. Traced that to the new carpeting and then to the back of the recently installed gauge. He informed me it takes a lot more torque to tighten, and crimp, new line than it does for a used one. The jute backing holds more oil than one would think possible....
Lesson learned...
Rick

[Frank E.]

Re: 1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

If you order the line and fittings from Long Island Corvette, it comes with 5/16 nuts and a pre-bent line. Just put one in.....

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

If you are installing a new gauge and a new line from LIC, seat the line in the gauge at your workbench first. This will ease the installation in the car.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

Thanks to all for your help. Trying to get motivated to finish removing the cluster after returning from vacation.

[Frank E.]

Re: 1963 Oil Pressure Line Fitting at Oil Gauge

I would not recommend this approach. I did this on my first OP gauge and that's what broke it. If you get a new line and fittings, just start the nut in the OP gauge first ( a few threads) while on the bench and then when the cluster is back in the car with everything connected, put the OP line into the nut and seat it in the gauge while tightening. You don't have to really wrench on it so just be gentle and careful with it. If you remove the cluster, disconnect the OP line first and connect it last upon installation. Also, make sure you hold the big nut while tightening the compression nut.