New Oil Line Too Short?

Tigerrat · Tigerrat's Garage

Anyone encountered this? Just put engine back in my 88 after clutch job and all the WYIT stuff. New oil line, 930-107-743-12, from thermostat to engine is short. Doesn't even touch the threads on the engine pipe. The side by side comparison to the old one shows 5/8" short. All the bends correspond, just short. Engine and trans mounts all bolted up. Pelican guys and I are scratching our heads. Any ideas? Thanks, Ken

fireant911 · 11-02-2008, 04:47 AM

Tiggerat,
I had a similar experience with my SC. The line I ordered (proper part number) arrived and was too short. Sent it back and received another line that was too long. This one went back and received yet another that would not fit. Disgruntled because my car was unoperable for six weeks, I just bought a used line and it fit perfectly. Head scratching apparently happened then too... When I laid the 'new' versus the used side-by-side they were close but not close enough to work.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Chinese plumbing supplier saved 13 cents per line by skimping on material??

Tigerrat · Tigerrat's Garage

Well, maybe I'm not totally alone then. These aren't made in China and I've gotten two of them, both too short and they aren't even the same length. Any others with similar experiences? I'll probably have to try a local hydraulic shop to see if they can rework. I hate to put the old one back on. Ken

KTL · 11-02-2008, 05:49 PM

Don't rule out the position of the hard oil line coming off the engine sump. You can adjust the angle of the line quite a bit by loosening the collar nut on the engine. Also, the solid line bends quite easily. I wouldn't recommend bending it on the car. If you have it removed from the engine, you'll find you can adjust the bends on it quite easily with some pulling.

ossiblue · 11-03-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTL

Don't rule out the position of the hard oil line coming off the engine sump. You can adjust the angle of the line quite a bit by loosening the collar nut on the engine. Also, the solid line bends quite easily. I wouldn't recommend bending it on the car. If you have it removed from the engine, you'll find you can adjust the bends on it quite easily with some pulling.

Interesting point.

I've been lucky and have not had to replace my oil line, but the responses here suggest there isn't much rigor in the production of the piece. I'd like to hear from some pros on the board who replace these line regularly to see if (1) they encounter such a variation in length, and (2) if the variations are a problem for them.

fireant911 · 11-03-2008, 09:43 AM

The one's I had were clearly not made to the same specifications as the original. I realize that there is an amount of maneuverability with the oil line that could assist in mating; however, that was not the case with the lines I received (too far out). I am not willing to yank / torque on new lines in an attempt to make this purportedly replacement part fit. Gentle coaxing is one thing but these lines (at least the one's that I received) were not going to go on without permanently distorting the line.

KTL · 11-03-2008, 10:49 AM

Just as an FYI, here's a little aside for you.

When I rec'd the "backdating" line that goes under the engine case in a half-circle shape, I had to tweak that line to clear my headers. The headers are copies of the SSI type which is what this oil ine is intended to accommodate. Point being is that it seems these oil lines are not built to exacting specifications anymore- lots of variance in the lengths & bends of them. And that's not necessarily a huge issue because it doesn't take much effort to manipulate the various lines to get them to all come together.

Tigerrat · Tigerrat's Garage

I couldn't see much potential movement of the stock hard line. It runs along the back and is only a fraction of an inch away from a bolt on the chain cover. I solved my issue by going to a hydraulic shop and getting a 1" longer piece of rubber crimped on the short new line. Knowing what I know now, I should have done this with the old lines. I spoke again to Pelican and hope they pursue the issue w/ their vendor.

Anyhow, got the car back on the road, the new clutch feels great. Car cranked right up with no issues. Totally amazed, considering all the WYIT stuff I had replaced or disassembled. Thanks to all on here who went before me. Ken

yelcab1 · 11-04-2008, 11:23 AM

Too long for me, cut it short and used 2 hose clamps.

dogtrainer · 11-04-2008, 11:33 AM

I had the same problem a few years ago, took the old line down to the local hydraulic shop and 15min. and $30 latter I had a new line that fit.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

What's up with all of this line length havoc? Can't one just get the right damned part these days? Wonder what's up with this issue?

Maybe PP can answer up here, no?

Best,

Doyle