Oil Pressure Gauge hose ?

[FranWex]

Hi all,

Our 1958 Moggy has a VDO mechanical oil pressure gauge. There is a short flexible hose joining the copper pipe from the gauge to the fitting on the engine block.

When we bought Doris, that hose was held on with wire wrapped around it. About a year ago I accidentally caught it and it pulled off, spraying oil everywhere. I replaced it with what I think was a fuel and oil hose and fitted proper hose clips.

I've noticed the replacement hose is already showing signs of wear, so I'm wondering if I've used the wrong type.

What hose do people recommend for this application? Is there a specific oil pressure hose or hydraulic hose that works best? I'd like to fit something that is reliable and safe

Thanks in advance.

[Bill_qaz]

Copper pipe all the way gauge to coupling on engine with nut and olive, no flex section needed, you can buy the copper guauge pipe online.

20250905_141059.jpg (146.02 KiB) Viewed 639 times

[philthehill]

The MG Midget has a short length of rubber pipe between the copper pipe and the block fitting (mainly to alleviate vibration to the copper pipe) so may be worth a try.
If you do fit a full copper pipe you must have a couple of coils at the block fitting end to alleviate any vibration which could lead to pipe failure.
I have fitted a braded hose from the block fitting to the gauge.
Here is a link to Merlin Motorsport were I get all my hose requirements from:-
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/s/oi ... r-oil-hose

[FranWex]

Thanks Guys for the advice, that's good to know. It makes sense that the short rubber hose is there to help absorb vibration and protect the copper pipe.

At the moment, I don't think I want to risk going with copper all the way. My skills probably aren't up to making the coils properly yet, and I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I think I'll stick with replacing the flexible hose, but this time I'll make sure it's the correct type and rated for engine oil and pressure. The braided hose is another option I hadn't considered, so I'll have a look at the Merlin Motorsport link. Thanks for sharing it.

I've also added a few more photos to show exactly what I'm dealing with.

Thanks again to everyone for the advice, it's much appreciated.

[Bill_qaz]

Yours is braised adaptor into the oil pipe banjo bolt, I've fitted mine with a T adaptor into the oil switch drilling were you still have the switch.

[philthehill]

The ends of the copper pipes do not have any means of retaining the rubber pipe other than by friction. As a minimum solder a ferrule approx 3/16" from the ends of the pipes so that the rubber has something to grip on.
As regards taking the oil pressure gauge feed pipe off the oil pipe banjo bolt you can purchase a replacement banjo bolt machined to accept the gauge pipe adapter. I have purchased a couple of them for use on the 'A' Series. See link below:-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166642222294 ... SwaYJl7zgI

[Bill_qaz]

You can mail order copper pipe kits such as
https://share.google/uNbCDussdgS7BEaXa
Together with the adaptor Phil recommended and have a one piece pipe with no joins. Making a coil for engine movement is easy just wrap a couple of coils around a round pole, brush handle for example.

[svenedin]

It's important this is done properly. One of my Morris Minor owning friends had his oil pressure pipe fail causing his engine to loose all of its oil whilst out on a drive. There's something to be said for electrical gauges that have a sender in the engine bay and only an electrical connection going to the dial.

Stephen

[Bill_qaz]

It's important this is done properly. One of my Morris Minor owning friends had his oil pressure pipe fail causing his engine to loose all of its oil whilst out on a drive. There's something to be said for electrical gauges that have a sender in the engine bay and only an electrical connection going to the dial.

Stephen

The whole idea of fitting an oil pressure gauge is to keep an eye on it.
So I don't understand, if the pipe to the guage fails the pressure reading drops?
Not to mention the smell of oil spaying out and smoke it would cause. You would have to keep running for sometime to loose all of its oil. Also your oil light would come on when it drops below switch pressure.

[59Elva]

Even if aware of the failure it is more than a MINOR inconvenience if far from immediate service.

[svenedin]

It's important this is done properly. One of my Morris Minor owning friends had his oil pressure pipe fail causing his engine to loose all of its oil whilst out on a drive. There's something to be said for electrical gauges that have a sender in the engine bay and only an electrical connection going to the dial.

Stephen

The whole idea of fitting an oil pressure gauge is to keep an eye on it.
So I don't understand, if the pipe to the guage fails the pressure reading drops?
Not to mention the smell of oil spaying out and smoke it would cause. You would have to keep running for sometime to loose all of its oil. Also your oil light would come on when it drops below switch pressure.

Yes you would assume he would notice the reading on the gauge falling but he didn't notice it until the oil light came on by which point the engine had lost almost all of its oil.

Stephen

[taupe]

On S2 cars the flexible pipe in the oil gauge pipe is pt number 83536 . It passes through the dash/bulkhead within 134995 rubber grommet...Most hoses Ive seen have cotter pin type hoseclamps fitted (split pin type)

Somerford mini do a reinforced hose thats probably suitable 'somerfordmini.co.uk/pipe-oil-pressure-rubber' and would probably be enough for two Minor ones with the original small capillary tubes with brass olives fitted....
PIPE-OIL PRESSURE-RUBBER
Part No: FAM2807 £7.26 inc VAT
Description:
Flexible, thick wall pipe which links the two solid pipes (engine and gauge). 19cm long. For all cars with factory fitted oil pressure gauge.

Taupe