I’m about to do final assembly on the vacuum line from my helmet distributor (swapped out the crab) on my C59A. Do I need to add a thread sealant on this fitting? I know it pinches the tube to create a seal, but not sure about the seal between it and the intake manifold. Also have to plug a second vacuum port on the manifold (swapped out the orig cast iron one for an earlier aluminum one). Using Permatex Thread Sealant PX#59234.
Distributor vacuum line fitting - Is thread sealant required?
- Thread starter Ziggster
- Start date
I found a thread somewhere here or on the HAMB, that said the fitting had a taper to it which caused it to pinch on the tube. Would seem to me, being a taper fitting, sealant would be required. Checked all three of my flathead engine “build” books, and of course no mention of this item.
The brass fitting does have a taper that squeezes around the steel line as it is being tightened making its own seal. Ford never used any kind of sealant and neither will you; it will work fine as-is.
rockfla
Well-known member
I've always been leery about tightening a "brass" fitting into an "Aluminum" intake manifold OR Distributor housing and relying on "torque" to clamp down on the line.....I just installed a NEW vacuum advance line on a motor and tightened the fitting into the distributor and the intake as tight as I felt comfortable doing so AND you can pull the line from both ends with NO resistance. I've wondered just how good that is??
rockfla,
I understand your concern and don't blame you for being cautious. The rule I try to follow on things like this is..."how did the factory do it?" If you trust that the threads in your distributor body are sound, I would try to pull it in just a little more until you feel that the fitting has squeezed around the tubing enough to make a seal.
I understand your concern and don't blame you for being cautious. The rule I try to follow on things like this is..."how did the factory do it?" If you trust that the threads in your distributor body are sound, I would try to pull it in just a little more until you feel that the fitting has squeezed around the tubing enough to make a seal.
Plug made. Cut off a small piece of 3/16” brake line. Used one of the used fittings. Line would not go through all the way. Guessing because fitting was used. Had to punch it so it was just below the top surface. Soldered the top, and some solder flowed to the bottom of the line as well. Should be good to go as far as a plug. Wanted a piece of tube/line inside just like ut would have originally as not sure if it would seal properly without the tube/line.
