New owner, oil line problems

[d2p]

First time posting. I've purchased a 1947 Dodge to work on with my 16 year old son, who loves cars/engines/etc. I'm new to this is nearly every way, but we've had fun with replacing plugs, oil change, and even working on the timing. 

On a recent drive, the engine started sounding rough and the oil pressure dropped fast. We pulled over, put more oil in, and got home. Found a leak in an oil line that seems to be going from the engine to the oil pressure gauge. 

The line seems to be reinforced rubber with brass (?) fittings. I can't seem to loosen the nuts, so I'm worried about stripping the bolts. 

Ill post a photo in hopes that the community might be able to help me understand what it's called, where I might look for replacements, and any hints for how to proceed.

Thanks in advance! 

[greg g]

You can have these made up at shops that do hydraulic lines for construction / commercial vehicles.  I took mine off, took it to the shop and 10 minutes and 15 bucks later had a nice fresh one to install.  You may also be able to match up flexible brake pines wit similar fittings.  For my money the hydraulic shop was the better deal.

[rb1949]

This page lists the Engine to Oil Gauge hose..........  http://www.oldmoparts.com/parts-engine.aspx

 

[desoto1939]

You need to use two wrenches to remove the rubber hose. Best to use a flared fitting wrench. These can be purchase at any store that carries automotive wrenches.  The metal line from the block has a flared fitting just line what is going into the block and the rubber hose also has a fitting that sort of is crimped onto the hose. Use the two flared wrenches. one hold the metal pipe nut and the other on the nut end of the oil line and then you can break the line lose. This prevents the metal line from twisting and the two wrenches work in opposite direction with equal force and the  two line will unscrew with out an issue. Do the same at the top of the other end and put the new oil line on in the same manner.

Get two of these oil line and always have a spare  in your tool box in your car.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

 

[Young Ed]

This is what Rich is talking about. I've also heard them called line wrenches. Best to have one for each nut if you can. 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v172/dodgepu1946/tools/Photo0174.jpg[/IMG]

 

Edited October 14, 2016 by Young Ed

[Jerry Roberts]

I spent half a day going from shop to shop looking for a place to make up that rubber line . I ended up buying one on ebay . 

[d2p]

Wow, you guys are awesome. Thanks for the help. We'll get to work and let you know how it goes. 

[casper50]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-1956-Mopar-Copper-Braided-oil-line-approx-38-1-4-Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-/121433958596?hash=item1c460728c4:g:esEAAMXQNo5TXAId&vxp=mtr

 

 

[Dodgeb4ya]

The long braided 38" oil line hose shown above is for Chrysler cars from 1949 on up.

It connects with a crush ferrule directly to the back of the oil gauge. 

[d2p]

Ok, I've got an update (and some more issues). I bought the hose (thx rb1949) and the wrenches (thx Rich and Young Ed) and, after a few skinned knuckles, creative vocabulary, and a healthy dose of PB Blaster, I made it happen. Checked the oil, then got it started. After a thrill of excitement (I actually got it running!), I noticed more smoke than usual coming from the engine. Turns out there was dark black oil running out of the oil filter mechanism. I turned it off and checked the oil. Clean color and acceptable level. I started it again and the same thing: rivulets of dark oil pushing out all along the lid. I haven't opened it up yet, but I thought I'd check back with you all to see if you had any ideas? The oil pressure gauge seems to be somewhat functional, FWIW (I worried the new hose was blocking things up).

Thanks!

[Young Ed]

It's either not tight enough or you've got a bad gasket. There is at least one style that has a fairly thin lid gasket and its easy to get the gasket off center and not sealed. 

[DrDoctor]

   You stated that the oil was coming out of the lid. That leads me to suspect a compromise in the gasket in the lid, between it and the canister portion of the oil filter. I didn’t have a leak, but wanted to replace the filter element, so I opened up the filter assembly, took the nasty filter to my local auto parts store (a knowledgeable independent, not a box-store . . .), and got what I needed. It also had the necessary gasket included in the packaging. If I were you, I’d replace the filter element, and you’ll get the gasket you need, thus eliminating two issued at the same time. However, if you experience a leak at a fitting on the filter canister, it’s not traumatic as one would initially suspect. The solution is similar to what you did to remove/replace the flexible oil line. Regards . . . Thx.

[DrDoctor]

   I didn’t see Young Ed’s comment when I sent mine. He’s right, tho’. Thx.

[Jerry Roberts]

While you have the lid off of your oil canister , and are changing the filter , you should change the black oil too to match your clean engine oil.