Fitting SSIs - loop under oil line touching crankcase

[CharlesJones]

Hi All,

I am currently in the process of fitting SSIs, and man, what a pain in the ass it is proving to be! It all in theory seems simple, but in practice there seems to always be complications and always additional parts I need purchase! It's very frustrating.

My latest complication is concerned with the replacement of the oil pipe which connects to the underside of the crankcase. I have removed the original oil line which was routed arround behind the engine, under the muffler, and forwards again to the connection point under the crankcase, and have replaced this with the new correct oil line to enable SSI fitment, which runs from the crankcase, loops under the join between transmission and engine and connects to a bracket by the oil cooler where it emerges in the rear passenger side wheel arch, aft of the thermostat.

My problem is that this loop-under oil line was a very tight sqeeze - I really had to pull it to connect it to the bracket by the oil cooler - and unfortunately it touches the end of the crankcase right by the crankcase join where it meets the transmission. I would take a photo to show you, but unfortunately I dropped my wife's digital camera the other day and broke it.

I am worried that this oil line might rub against where it touches the crankcase and spring a leak. However, the oil line is really tight in there and so I can't see how I could possibly bend it out of the way. Also, I can't see how bending the bracket would help either - I don't think it has enough movement in it, and it presents the danger of the other end of the line touching the SSI heat exchanger where is rises to meet the hot air hose to the cabin. The oil line seems very solidly attached, and I would hope the vibrations in the line would match the vibrations of the engine and so there shouldn't too much rubbing, if any. However, I'm worried that over the years it might cause a problem. Do any of you fellow 911 comrades have any experience of this? Is your oil line touching and did it cause any problems, or am I just being paranoid?

Many thanks - any advice and suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[john walker's workshop]

not a problem.

[CharlesJones]

Thanks for the reply John - phew, that's such a relief! Now I can get on and slap on those SSIs tonight.

[vntgspd]

If JW says it's good then...


I have had that line off a few times and seem to recall that loosening the nut that mounts it to the driver side of the case and rotating the line ccw (down) will give you the clearance you need without adversely affecting the alignment on the passenger side connection. You will need to do this before mounting SSIs though as it is a pain to do after as there is no clearance.

Good luck!

[KTL]

If the contact issue is going to bother you, cut a short length of rubber hose and slice it open length-wise to wrap around the oil line to protect it from rubbing. Voila, instant cushioning.

Sounds like your PITA install of that line was much less eventful than mine. I had to put a slight bend in that crescent-shaped line at quite a few locations in order to get it lined up decently.

[911pcars]

In a hot flash of OCD, I wrapped some thin insulation around the U-tube. With factory or SSI HE's, that line runs right next to the hot sheet metal.

Sherwood

[CharlesJones]

Thanks for the advice guys. Yeah, these oil lines are a worry - I hope nothing leaks when I've got it all together again. JW has put my mind to rest about the rubbing issue though. Now I'm just dreading trying to get the line off the thermostat this weekend!