Advice needed on replacing C3 oil pressure line

[Patrick B.]

The firewall grommet became disengaged, and the the plastic oil line to the gauge of my 70 Corvette chaffed and finally broke at the firewall. Fortunately, it did not make a mess inside the car. I have never had to work on the steering column, dash or gauges on this low mileage car, and I am hesitant to take the dash apart to replace the oil line.

Have any of you spliced the oil line at the inside of the firewall rather than removing it from the gauge? What is the best way of accessing the line at the gauge if necessary? Can the right side dash be removed with out risking a tear or break of dash vinyl?

[Mark E.]

Re: Advice needed on replacing C3 oil pressure line

Splicing the line in the engine compartment is a tempting option which avoids tearing into the dash. Using proper connectors, the risk of failure should be minimal, but not zero. The added splice wouldn't seem much less robust than the original plastic tubing.

It's been awhile, but I believe the rear of the oil pressure gauge can be accessed by only removing the RH dash panel, which isn't terribly risky or difficult. The question is if the center cluster also needs to be loosened/moved to provide enough working room. That involves disturbing the console, which is a lot more involved.

Maybe someone who has a fresh memory of this procedure can chime in...

Either way you go, the good news is you're replacing old plastic tubing in the engine compartment, which may be compromised from age and due for replacement.

[Patrick B.]

Re: Advice needed on replacing C3 oil pressure line

Splicing the line in the engine compartment is a tempting option which avoids tearing into the dash. Using proper connectors, the risk of failure should be minimal, but not zero. The added splice wouldn't seem much less robust than the original plastic tubing.

It's been awhile, but I believe the rear of the oil pressure gauge can be accessed by only removing the RH dash panel, which isn't terribly risky or difficult. The question is if the center cluster also needs to be loosened/moved to provide enough working room. That involves disturbing the console, which is a lot more involved.

Maybe someone who has a fresh memory of this procedure can chime in...

Either way you go, the good news is you're replacing old plastic tubing in the engine compartment, which may be compromised from age and due for replacement.

I wouldn't be able to place the splice in the engine compartment because it broke at the firewall. It would have to be made up behind the pedals on the interior side of the firewall. However, the plastic line does not seem to be brittle at all which should be good news for C3 owners.