I haven't worked with SS hose and AN fittings before, so this could be an easy question:

I bought a bunch of Earls -4 AN fittings for my turbo oil supply line, and bought some "supposedly" AN 4 SS from the local speed shop.

I can't get the damn fittings on the line - looks like the line isn't rubber. Teflon maybe? If its not rubber, how do I get the damn fittings on?

Any help appreciated!

John

 

I did my fuel lines in -6 and it was easy. Same with the -10 stuff for my return line, then I started doing the -4 for my feed and it was hard as **** ........after I would cut the -4 line and then unwrapped the tape, it flared open!! I had to clamp the fitting and push the ss sleeve into the fitting with a small screwdriver. What line and fittings are you using? I think Dustin posted something that Aeroquip line did not work with Earls fittings. Will the actual hose end piece that fits into the line fit in without using the collar?

 

The collar isn't the problem, I can't get the hose over barb on the fitting. I can get it just barely started but not even close to usable.

I have no idea what type of line this is, it wasn't packaged.

John

 

"I can't get the hose over barb on the fitting" ..........I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean the fitting won't go into the hose?

 

does the collar fit over the hose? if so, does the barb fit into the hose without the collar on it.. if so, spend more time fitting it.. its really hard to do your first couple.. cutting the line with masking tape around the cut is the most important thing you can do to avoid the line from fraying.. also i use a flat blade screwdriver to push the few strands back into the collar. after that use the threads in the collar to force the barb into the hose (be careful to mark the hose and make sure the collar doesn't slip though)

 

Forget the collar stuff.

If toss away the collar completely then try to just put the barbed end of the fitting into the end of the host, it doesn't go.

After destroying then end, I can now confirm the inside of the hose is plasticky - kinda like nylon - nothing rubbery here.

 

This can't be the right line.

I'm looking at other people's installs - if I slide just the collar of the fitting onto the line, there's a lot of room around the collar.

The OUTSIDE diameter of this line is 8mm.

WTF?

 

You did get the wrong line it sounds like. Teflon line is a white color and rubber is black. Now with rubber lines, when you install the ends, make sure there is no fraying when you make your cuts or it will end up being hosed. You'll have to cram the hose into the "collar" first. Make sure it's all the way in. THEN you install the actual hose end. You should use some teflon spray, WD40, that type of thing on the part that actually gets inserted into the hose. You should be able to at least get it started threading into the collar, then use wrenches for the rest.

 

Where did you buy the lines from, if its local the guys there should be able to put it together for you for free. I NEVER mess with the little -4 lines myself, they are to small for me to work with, -6 isn't to bad but the -4.........never again. It's all about prefab -4 lines.

 

Haha good luck. I've never seen anybody do free labor. Honestly though, the smaller the lines the easier time I have with them. It's easier to make clean cuts with a hacksaw on them ...for me anyway.

 

To keep the SS braiding from flaring after you cut it, make sure you wrap it very tightly with masking tape. Use a little motor oil on the outside and inside of the hose and inside the fitting. They're a bitch to do, but pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Hardest part is working the hose into the fitting, it's a peice of cake from there. Here's a link to the installation section for the Earl's fittings : http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLin...PTS/EPPTS.html



[Modified by boostaholic, 12:31 AM 9/10/2002]

 

Sounds like your line is the wrong size.......especially if your collar is loose when you put it on. The collar should fit on the line snug. You should also be able to get the barb into the line with the collar on or off.

 

To install -3 and -4 ss lines u need a special tool earl's make it

earl's braid spreader for -3 -4 teflon hose
part number ear-007 sign on to the summit racing site and order it.

i got the catalog it says it the only way to install it properly.

 

interesting! that is specifically for teflon hose applications?

 

No that's a bunch of BS. I've done plenty of teflon lines and never used a special tool. Teflon lines are like 100 times easier than rubber to assemble. All you have to do is use a small flathead screwdriver to seperate the braid from the teflon on the ends. No biggie.

 

farnsrocket.... ya they do have a special tool for those size lines.

mplex2000....don't talk w/ out knowing cool!!! that tool got it straight from the know read this carefully EARLS'S CATALOG

 

I know they have a tool but I assemble them all the time. I was trying to save him some cash on a useless item but go ahead and talk him into buying something he doesn't need and apparently you know nothing about. Teflon is waaaaay easier than rubber SS to assemble. Go talk smack to somebody else who DOESN'T know what they are talking about. COOL!


[Modified by mplex2000, 3:06 AM 9/11/2002]

 

OK, problem solved.

The local jackass sold me teflon lines. You can't use normal earl's fittings on a teflon line.

I brought the line back to him - I should have rammed it up his ***.

Thanks for the help guys!