63 oil pressure fittings

[Greg W.]

I had to order a new oil pressure line and fittings, the threads on the one I removed were stripped. I probably did this a couple years ago when I sent the cluster out for refurbish.

Now that I have the old line out and a new one in hand, I realize that something does not look right. First of all the fittings were not correct that came out. The next problem that I see is that the diameter of the new fitting is larger than the connection into the back of the gauge.
Questions
1. Can I change the square fitting on the back of the oil pressure gauge?
2. Is there a reduction fitting that I could buy?
3. Is there a way to cap off the hole in the rear of the engine? (the weather is pretty and if it is going to be a long job it will have to wait until winter, I am ready to drive it)

I have attached a photo.

Thanks for any help on this.
Greg

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

I had to order a new oil pressure line and fittings, the threads on the one I removed were stripped. I probably did this a couple years ago when I sent the cluster out for refurbish.

Now that I have the old line out and a new one in hand, I realize that something does not look right. First of all the fittings were not correct that came out. The next problem that I see is that the diameter of the new fitting is larger than the connection into the back of the gauge.
Questions
1. Can I change the square fitting on the back of the oil pressure gauge?
2. Is there a reduction fitting that I could buy?
3. Is there a way to cap off the hole in the rear of the engine? (the weather is pretty and if it is going to be a long job it will have to wait until winter, I am ready to drive it)

I have attached a photo.

Thanks for any help on this.
Greg

Greg------


Of all the pieces you have here, the only one that I think might be correct is the one on the lower left of your photo.

If I were you, I would obtain a correct oil line with fittings from one of the parts vendors like Dr. Rebuild. Then, all you should need is the appropriate connector at the block. I do not know if they carry those, or not.

As far as the fitting on the back of the gauge goes, I do not know what you mean by the "square fitting". If you mean the fitting that appears square as it comes off the back of the gauge, that CANNOT be removed. However, it's possible that someone has installed some sort of adapter fitting which may appear "square". If that's the case, it can be removed. A photo of the rear of the gauge would help.

You can plug the fitting tapped into the block with a 1/8" NPT plug. However, I DO NOT recommend doing this as then you'd have no indication of oil pressure, especially a possible lack thereof. That can be very risky.

[Joel T.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

Greg;

That "square" fitting you refer to is actually the back of the oil pressure gauge.. cannot be changed.. I would do as Joe suggested, repop providers carry the correct '63 parts including the fitting which goes into the block. Again as Joe said, that lower left fitting is correct, for mating to the fitting at the back of the block. I picked these up for my 1963 from Corvette Paragon.. Relatively cheap and no problems what so ever.

Have fun,

Joel

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

Greg, a reminder.

The oil pressure line is not copper. It is a steel line that is copper plated.

Most of the parts suppliers send the line in a coil, then you need to bend it into the correct shape. I believe LIC will send the line with the correct bends if you ask for it that way.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

The "square" on the back of the gauge is there I suspect to put a wrench on while installing the line fitting. Otherwise, as many will do, one can overtighten the fitting into the gauge and damage it. I replaced just the fitting on the gauge end about a year ago and cut the tube with a small tubing cutter in order to have a good sealing end on it. There is enough extra tubing to play with for this purpose. The bend through and/or around the E-Brake bracket on the 63 is tricky so as to come up with a good straight shot at the gauge. I had my tap on the rear of the engine block plugged for a number of years with a pipe plug when my gauge had a small leak, i.e. just enough to drip on the E-Brake handle, but not to reach the floor. Those were peaceful years not having to fear a low hot idle oil pressure condition. I could see why the "idiot lights" were so easily accepted. Oil pressure gauges tend to jut worry you unnecessarliy.

Stu Fox

[Greg W.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

Thanks, it appears that the culprit must be the back of the gauge. I have attached a photo of the fitting. I also just went to the garage and took another peak at it. It looks like there is a square fitting inside another square fitting. There is definitely a gap between the two. So this must be the issue, right?

In my first photo the top two are what came out and the bottom two came from LI, so I hope the bottom two are correct?

Greg

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

Greg;

The square end of the gauge is correct. It may look like two pieces, but it is just a groove around the square fitting.

The fittings you show on the bottom of your first post are correct. The ferrel fitting on the tube in the top is not. I suggest you cut the end of the tube square using a tubing cutter to get a seat into the gauge.

Remember, if you attach the tube and fitting to the gauge while it is in the car (cluster installed), use an open end to hold the square fitting of the gauge while you tighten the tube compression fitting. You may have to make a tool to get a good grip on it. I already had one from a previous specific application.

Stu Fox

[Greg W.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

So I think that I feel stupid now? When I ordered the kit it came with two compression fittings like the ones on the bottom left of my original photo. It also came with the other fitting on the bottom right, which now I am thinking is not used for my 63. Since I took a fitting out I assumed one had to go back in.

So could someone please verify that the two compression fittings that I have; one goes in the back of the guage and the other in the engine block. Also that the fitting in my original photo on the bottom right does not get used?

Thanks all.

Greg

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

So I think that I feel stupid now? When I ordered the kit it came with two compression fittings like the ones on the bottom left of my original photo. It also came with the other fitting on the bottom right, which now I am thinking is not used for my 63. Since I took a fitting out I assumed one had to go back in.

So could someone please verify that the two compression fittings that I have; one goes in the back of the guage and the other in the engine block. Also that the fitting in my original photo on the bottom right does not get used?

Thanks all.

Greg

Greg------

The 2 compression fittings, one of which is pictured in the lower left of your photo, are, indeed, the fittings that go to the gauge and the block. However, a coupler is also required at the block. The fitting that's on the lower right of your photo may be that coupler IF the male threads are 1/8" pipe (it looks bigger than that to me in the photo, but it might be just the photo) AND the female threads accept the fitting on the lower left.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

I concur with Joe. It is hard to tell from the LR photo about it's sizes, but it looks like the fitting that should go into your block, specially if it mates to the compression fitting shown next to it in the LL photo.

Greg, I think you're good to go.

Stu Fox

[John H.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

Greg -

Here are the correct GM-proprietary male fittings for each end of the line, and the correct GM adapter fitting for the block; Paragon supplies them with their copper-plated steel oil pressure line kit. The original GM male fittings had a 3/8" hex, but the reproduction fittings are only available with a 7/16" hex.

No compression sleeves were used on the original line; those are only found in aftermarket gauge kits.

[Greg W.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

First of all thank you guys a lot. I just got it all hooked up and everything put back together.

Maybe I should start a new thread but I was hoping that one of you could answer a question about the male fitting going into the back of the gauage. Can you tighten it down and then remove and retighten?

I got it all back together and sure enough a very small leak. I suspect that the line is not going straight in due to the emergency brake. So I want to take it off and and get it straight in.

Thanks again.

Greg

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

Greg,

There should be no problem removing the compression fitting at the back of the gauge and reattaching it later.

I usually take them off and reattach them several times just to make a good seat with the compression fitting. This technique usually stops the annoying and occasional drip!

Make sure you use the steel/copper plated line. You cannot remove the copper line successfully as the copper and brass usually seize and you twist off the copper line.

JR

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

I concur with Joe. When I had mine off last, I trimmed the tube end clean (as shown in John's photo) using a small tubing cutter, then reattached it and I still had a small leak. Took it off again and reapplied making certain it was seated well, then held the gauge square end with an open end wrench so I could get a good tight fit. It's ok now which is great because I was ready to change out the gauge thinking it was the bourdon tube that was leaking. I'm so glad to be rid of that annoying drop of oil on the E-Brake handle.

Stu Fox

[John D.]

Re: 63 oil pressure fittings

John Hinckley etal, The original oil line fitting is only 5/16" diameter. This is the fitting that goes on the copper plated steel line. The ones available today are typically 3/8". Someone on ebay was selling them for 22 bucks each as I recall. Heard the guy was from the swamp somewhere.
That copper plated steel line is not easy to install is it. Henry Ford used the copper plated steel lines for the gas tank to fuel filter area. JD