Braided hose ^%!@%$#

[Edbert]

Well, I got my package with ~$300 worth of tube/hose and fittings and got started. Let me first say that the 1/2 inch hose and -8AN fittings were a breeze, they've passed the pressure check and I got them right the first time

But...the 3/8 inch hose and -6AN fittings are a total no-go. Everytime I try to get the red hose end over the braid it frays and "grows" to the extent that I cannot pinch it in there. My fingers were all full of little holes too...ouchie! I have taped the hose before cutting it with duct tape (recommended by the instructions) and am cutting them with a high speed disc (also recommended), and the cuts look pretty clean. But the instant I take the tape off they fray, not much but enough to prohibit the red end from slipping over them. The duct tape is too thick to have any hope of sliding it in before removal, I was considering using a thinner tape like electrical (not tough/sticky enough IMO) or even clear packing tape. But my concern now is that this braided hose might be "bad", is that possible? I only think that becuase the 1/2 inch stuff was so easy. Have you ever seen or heard of such a thing?

 

[TT670]

Try using a narrow wrap of electrical tape and leave it on the hose while you slide the fitting over. Pull the tape out once the fitting is started, if you cant pull it out, just trim off whats exposed

 

[10secgoal]

I use electrical also. The duct tape is causing the problem. It is so sticky it is pulling apart the woven metal. After I cut mine, I use tin snips to trim the frayed metal off. Also use oil on the male end. Makes life much easier.

 

[grego37]

I use electrical tape also.
dont forget the threads in the red fitting are reverse thread ( I think, if I remember correctly)

Best way to do it is clamp the red end piece into a vice , hold the hose by hand with the electrical tape still on the end (you may want to trim the tape so it's not as wide) and thread it in turning left.
good luck.
dont forget the bandaids.

 

[Edbert]

Thanks fellas, I'll give it a go tonight.

Dont forget the bandaids.

No chit! I had five bleeding finger tips at once, those little fuggers sting too, must be the oil.

 

[Pakrat]

I don't know what braided kit you are using, but I had added the cheap tin plated stainless looking kit to my car last summer, I used electrical tape too and I actually left it on underneath and then slipped the anodized casing right over it all. I cut them all with metal snips also. As I recall the only real bugger to fit was the bypass hose, the space is so narrow in between that getting a fitting on both ends took some work.

BTW if the fitting are aluminum like mine were i also recall having to open them up very carefully and then putting them on after and closing them again real carefully as opposed to slipping it over the hose prior to assembly.

 

[Edbert]

These are what I bought:

The red part slips over the end of the hose on the outside and the blue part fits inside the rubber part on the inside, then they screw together sandwiching the hose and making the seal sort of like in a compression fitting.

 

[bnickel]

when i worked at super shops many years ago we always used electrical tape to wrap it, then cut through the middle of the tape and just left the tape on when we installed the fitting, there wasn't enough tape left to effect the seal in anyway but it sure made life easier when installing the fitting

 

[67P51]

Hose Ends

What I have done is use electrical wire shrink tube to hold the ends together. It really holds the braid tight and can usually be left in place,just pick a nice color.
I am an aircraft mechanic and my shop purchases hose fittings from Aircraft Spruce. They have several catalogs and lots of cool stuff for street machines.
Good website

 

[jes72mustang]

I have to ditto what the others have said, ditch the duct tape, too sticky. I used electrical tape as other have said and I left it on some of the ends and removed it on others, mixed results. on the ends where I left it, I trimmed the exposed tape with and exacto knife to be flush with the fitting. Also if you take the tape off before assembling, you can use a very fine screw driver( like a jewelers) and push the frays into the fitting.

I have only worked with 3/8 and AN-6 fittings so far. because of the cost I am doing it a little at a time. Started with the fuel line from the pump to the carb. I think I an going to do the water lines to the heater core next.

 

[blown65]

Electrical tape and duct tape both are bad choices.

That tape that has the fiber stuff in it is best. Not sure what ya call it, kinda see thru but has the string like stuff in it. Anyhow, works the best.

 

[limey66]

I've never done this job myself, but can't you make a cone of paper or something thin, slide the red fitting over and back up the hose, make the cut in the usual manner and then slide the red fitting back into place - the frayed bits of braid shouldn't give you any grief then (except when they get caught in the threads...)

 

[TT670]

Electrical tape and duct tape both are bad choices.

That tape that has the fiber stuff in it is best. Not sure what ya call it, kinda see thru but has the string like stuff in it. Anyhow, works the best.

Yes.. the fiber reinforced packaging tape. It works great, forgot about that.

 

[2nd Mustang]

I was an aircraft hydraulic repair tech in the USAF a longggggggg time ago. I don't remember using any tapes when making hoses, but then again, I am old.

 

[66HertzClone]

I had trouble with #6 hose until I followed these instructions. I used the nylon strapping tape, and left about 1/8 inch of it still on the hose.

http://racingarticles.com/article_racing-28.html

I am sure this will help you, following these instructions I was able to assemble an end in about 3 minutes.

 

[Edbert]

I can't say I did each end in 3 minutes, probably 7 or more each. But I did finish the job. Here's the photos.

http://www.edbert.net/plumbing.htm

...and one sample...

 

[2nd Mustang]

Here's the photos.

http://www.edbert.net/plumbing.htm

Nice job.

 

[gp001]

Looks good Edbert.

We use masking tape when making braided lines. We also have a slick trick using a small piece of 1/2' pvc pipe for the install. Leather gloves are also very useful

Also, what are the braided lines connecting to? If hardlines I would suggest making a plate the mounts to the core support and running bulkhead connectors

 

[Edbert]

Also, what are the braided lines connecting to? If hardlines I would suggest making a plate the mounts to the core support and running bulkhead connectors

The braided ones in the picture above are connecting to other braided ones that go straight to the transmission.

The top line/hose has a small billet manifold that holds my trans temp sending unit, I don;t have a good picture of it yet, the one i took is pretty blurry and I did not post it. Here's what the device looks like (I used AN fittings on it also):

 

[1320stang]

Did you think about slipping both red ends onto the one cut end before making other cuts? It's been a while, but when making several short lines, I swear this was the way we did it. Got one good end and slipped them all on in alternating positions and then just slid them up and down the line after making measurements and cutting them. You just slide them up to the blues once they're installed. I think we zippered just the braid off about an inch from the end and then taper rolled electrical tape from the end back over the braid. Yeah, you waste an inch or two of line, but it seemed worth it.