Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

[Stuart F.]

For as long as I can remember, the oil pressure gauge on my 63 has always liked to drip oil on my E-Brake handle - not much, just a couple drops each time I drove it. As a result, oh about 30 to 35 years ago, I disconnected it at the engine block. Didn't like the thing scaring me half to death watching it while idling in traffic on a hot day.

Well, finally, fixing that sucker has become one of my cool season projects, along with another shot at my clock. I've had a GM replacement tubing kit and another used gauge on hand for some time and I'm getting up the courage to give it a try.

Has anyone else had a similar problem with a C-2, and did you find the problem to be the borden tube of the gauge or the connection? If I change gauges I have to swap faces and needles as mine are much better than the used gauge. I'm thinking I might try just replacing the line/fittings first, cause if that works, I won't have to deal with the gauge.

This old man doesn't like diving under dashboards for too long.

Stu Fox

[Harry S.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

Stu, replace the tube and fittings. Just a reminder it's a steel tube NOT copper.

[Mike M.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

the wifes 63 300 hp roadster did the same thing when i got it years ago. wife didn't care for oil on her Red Wings so i had to fix it. first of all, determine if your oil line is original(ie, copper plated steel tubing). i'd retain it if its original. i simply cut the gauge end of the tubing and used a new fitting which i got at the local napa type store back then. there is more than enough tubing to sacrfice a half inch or so of the tubing. don't mention Red Wings to wife.mike

[Stuart F.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

Thanks Harry and Mike. Whew! I got worried when Harry said it was steel (and not copper). I havn't had it out of the bag yet and it does look like copper, and it is a GM bagged kit. But, as you say mike, it is copper coated.

What is the best way to cut that small of a tube w/o buggering it? or is it really necessary to keep a nice square clean cut end? I know for a fact i can't use a tubing cutter up there, even if I had a jaw small enough.

But at least I'm confident, thanks to you fellows, I may be able to fix this w/o a gauge transplant. Thanks.

Stu Fox

[Mike M.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

the orignal 63 oil pressure line tubing was copper coated steel.mike

[Stuart F.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

Upon inspection this am, I believe I can cut the tube pretty clean using my Zona Saw, then clean up the end with a small file. We'll give it a shot.

Thanks for the advice. Have a great weekend.

Stu Fox

[John H.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

Stu -

Make sure the tube is fully seated/bottomed all the way into the gauge before tightening the male fitting.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

John;

Thanks for the good tip.

Stu

[Clem Z.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

get a tubing cutter like this for working in tight areas.

[Steven B.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

The tubing cutter is best, but I have used a Dremel before.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

no matter what you use make sure you deburr the inside and outside of the tubing

[Stuart F.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

Thanks Clem and Steve. I admit I'm a little concerned about getting a clean cut, and had been debating use of my Dremel or Zona saw. That tubing cutter looks like the ticket, if I can find one.

Sorry for the late reply, but I was tied up getting my first Epidural for my back. Hope that works quickly so I can crawl under my dash soon.

Stu Fox

[Bob R.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

Before you try replacing it how about just checking to see if the fitting is tightened properly under the dash. I wouldn't use too much force but a good tubing wrench and a little nudge might do it. It is difficult installing the fitting under the dash and someone may have tired before they finished the job. They may also have cross threaded it. I've had mine on and off a couple of times and never a leak. I shouldn't say anything about it I'll probably find a puddle of oil on the floor next time I look.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

Bob;

To the best of my knowledge, I'm the only one that has messed with that fitting since it left the factory. It began to drip (one or two drops each run) around the mid 70's. I pulled the cluster out to refurbish it when I had the car repainted in 76. The odometer gear had stripped and there were a lot of key marks on the black finish, etc. So I cleaned every thing, repainted the black and silver, and polished the lenses. At that time I had for some reason assumed I had a leak in the borden tube as I probably had tried the tightening the fitting and that didn't help. I still fear a borden tube leak, but I want to try the easiest fix first so I'll give the fitting/tube cutting approach a shot as it sure would save a lot of work over changing out the gauge.

Thanks for you input. Appreciate your ideas a lot.

Stu Fox

[Timothy B.]

Re: Leaky Oil Pressure Gauge on 63

Stu,

The problem with this fitting on a early 63 is that the emergency brake handle does not have the hole for the oil line to run through. Going from memory, the line goes above than has to bend near the attachment nut.

I think 1964 has a hole for the line to go through but may be late 63 also so your car may have the hole.