Dominator Oil Line Question

I am removing the oil tank from the frame on my 1968 650 SS (Mercury) so it can be cleaned and painted.
The two oil lines are swaged to fittings screwed into the lower front edge of the oil tank.
I would like to unscrew the fittings from the tank, but the oil lines won't allow me to.
The engine end of the oil lines are swaged to the double pipe/casting attached to the engine. So they won't rotate at the lower end, or pull off the pipes.
I plan on replacing the oil lines, so will cut them to disassemble the fittings, remove the tank etc.

Here's my question: How are you supposed to unscrew the oil lines from the oil tank when they are swaged at both ends?

Stephen Hill

Crimped clips are cut off, to loosen the hose.

Stephen:

While that tank is off the bike, inspect the "L" shaped mounting tab on the tank top. Vibration causes it to bend back and forth (microscopically) ..... the effect over time is to fatigue and brittle the metal on the tank roof causing cracks. If you catch it in time, the fix is easy. Otherwise, it is a major problem. Any oil seepage in the tab area is a giveaway there is a problem.

BTW .... except for the hose nipple, you cannot unscrew the smaller fitting on the oil tank (the return line), it is brazed in place. The larger fitting should be removed every 25K miles or so, and the filter screen inside the tank washed in solvent.

Slick.

Thanks Slick,

I understand that you should unscrew the large fitting and clean the screen. But if the hose is swaged to the fittings at both ends, how can you unscrew the large fitting??

Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill said:

Thanks Slick,

I understand that you should unscrew the large fitting and clean the screen. But if the hose is swaged to the fittings at both ends, how can you unscrew the large fitting??

Stephen Hill

Click to expand...

Per Triton Thrasher: Cut the ferrules off. Then use worm clamps when replacing with new hose. If you are a purist, those swaged ferrules can be replaced with the proper tool.

Good luck with it.

Slick

Thanks for the info. I have no problem slicing the hose (it is old and hard) and replacing it with new hose and hose clamps.
I find it amazing that the factory installation (swaged ferrules at both ends) make it impossible to remove the large fitting and clean the screen.

Stephen Hill

Stephen:

Are these the type ferrules you have?

http://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/Hose ... 4287921758

If so, you have to cut the metal cup to remove the hose. To replace with same type requires a special crimp tool.

Slick

Yes, the ferrules look like that. And I get that I need to cut the hoses to clean the filter, and swage/crimp them if I want to go back to stock.
My point is, what a bullshit setup from factory: a workshop manual that says remove the filter from the oil tank and clean, but the only way you can do that is cut the hose and or ferrule to do so. This was a REALLY bad design.

Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill said:

Yes, the ferrules look like that. And I get that I need to cut the hoses to clean the filter, and swage/crimp them if I want to go back to stock.
My point is, what a bullshit setup from factory: a workshop manual that says remove the filter from the oil tank and clean, but the only way you can do that is cut the hose and or ferrule to do so. This was a REALLY bad design.

Stephen Hill

Click to expand...

Your point is well taken.

From the manufacturer's standpoint, these type hose fittings are "clean" looking, with "curb appeal", and quick to install.

IMO, I would like the look, but like you, I don't want the hassle.

Slick