Guest shadetree77 Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I'm in the process of coming up with a parts list for my underhood restoration. I was looking at my vacuum advance line that goes from the carb. to the distributor today and I think I need a new one. The old one has been bent and twisted so many times it looks like a piece of spaghetti. Only problem is I've never seen fittings like the ones on this old line. I don't even understand how they stay on. The tubing is not flared that I can tell but the fittings will NOT come off. They spin very tightly but don't move up and down. I'm also having trouble finding tubing this small. It's tiny! Can anyone explain how those fittings work and also where I might find tubing this small? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Robert,I too have used my vacuum spaghetti tube. It is a copper line. Did not replace mine, just gently straightened it out to the correct shape. As for the fitting..I have not seen one like that anywhere as well. You might have success at a plumbing store for the copper tubing that small. They may have that for some water or refrigeration application, maybe the fitting as well. As long as you can still get air through it and it is not pinched anywhere on the line, it should be ok. It should be OK with some TLC. Good luck and keep us posted on status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leif Holmberg Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 The tube is pressed smaller by the coned nut,in this case the tube neds to be softer than the nut.To remove the nut you need to grind the outer part of the tube or cut it off. Leif in Sweden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shadetree77 Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Jim, I'll check the local plumbing store for that line. I don't think I can straighten mine. It's been bent and twisted so many times I don't think it can be made presentable. Leif, after I cut that piece of line off and remove the coned nut, how do I put the coned nut on the new line? Can those be used again or do I need new ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leif Holmberg Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 If you put the nut backwards with a tool on the tube ,the opening in the nut will open up as much as you need just to use the nut again.Or use a round tool with the same diameter as the tube to do the hole as it was before it was used. Leif in Sweden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Leif is right. Grind the fat end off and reuse the nut. It is similar to a plumbing compression fitting as far as how it works.You can also try Inline tube or one of those companies if you want steel or soft stainless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Find a heating supply store or a friendly oil burner mechanic. Ask them for a couple of 1/8" ferrules. Get one set to screw up and one for the finished job.Cut your new line to length. Debur the ends, slide the compression nut, the hex part you saved, on, then the ferrule. Insert it firmly into the distributor fitting. Tightening the compression nut will press the ferrule on the line and seal it. Ta Da! If you can't spell HVAC don't worry.Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shadetree77 Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Thanks guys. I'm going to take a good look at the old line again and see if it's salvageable. It does work but it looks like crap. I'll see what I can do with it. I might be able to trim it down and straighten it out. If it doesn't work out though, now I know where to go to get new stuff and how to use those fittings. Thanks again guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 (edited) Robert,60flattop is partly right....Remember when you were looking for vacuum line routing, and I told you about the special nut at each end of the vac adv line NOT being a standard ferrule. It is a "compression" nut that actually swages into both the carb and the dist.Finding the small copper tube is tough if you don't have a HVAC dist close by, but Google can help. The nuts you can save if you will just be gentle with them and slowly massage them a bit, they will loosen up out on the tip, so you can slide them on the new tube.Mike in Colorado Edited January 13, 2013 by FLYER15015 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest smarty Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Jim, I'll check the local plumbing store for that line. I don't think I can straighten mine. It's been bent and twisted so many times I don't think it can be made presentable. Leif, after I cut that piece of line off and remove the coned nut, how do I put the coned nut on the new line? Can those be used again or do I need new ones?you could also try your local hobby store. they sell copper line as well, say for smalll planes boats cars that sort of thing. I have a remote boat that uses a small copper line for a water intake. that may be your answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shadetree77 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Thanks guys. I haven't had a chance to look at the old line again so I'm not sure yet which route I'll take. Mike, so if I understand correctly I can gently work the old nuts off and put them on a new line. Then, when I screw them into the carb and/or distributor the nut will compress the copper line to the correct diameter?Smarty, thanks for the suggestion. If I can't find anything locally I'll check into that. There's a huge Hobby Lobby nearby. I may be able to find it though. There's also a really big plumbing supply place in town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Yessir...Try to work it backwards a bit. That will usually work since the front (inserted) part of the tube is mangled. Use a sander or file on the tubing and then you should be able to pull the nut off. Basically, you need to have a burr-free tube to remove it. Unlike a plumbing compression fitting, I have never seen a separate ferrule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) Robert,Mike M. has it right. If you look at the end of the brass nut, you will see that it tapers down to nothing on the tube. This is the part that swages down on the copper tube when you screw it in, and it forms the seal.Lots of lube and patience will free it up and massage the brass taper enough to get it off.Check your plumbing shop for the small copper tubing used for pilot lights in water heaters or furnaces. Also search Google on line.When you find a source for the copper tubing, please post this info for those that follow.1/8" soft copper tubing is available on line @ plumbing supply.com for $1.59/ft.Mike in Colorado Edited January 16, 2013 by FLYER15015 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shadetree77 Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Got it. I really appreciate the help guys. I'll post back here when I figure out what needs to be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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