How tight to get fitting for Briar's Gauge?

[azcummins]

I put in both Schrader valve fitting for Briar's Fuel Pressure Test Gauge, but after looking at the fitting last night, they seem to be leaking some fuel.



When I installed them, I tightened them down quite a bit, but I they never stop tightening. I didn't want to strip them, but all I was using was a 3/8" drive. Did you guys torque them to a specific setting or did you use Teflon tape or something?

 

[JPittman]

Just finished putting mine in. So far no leaks, didn't use any sealant and it did tighten and I didn't torque it.

 

[azcummins]

JPittman-

Did you crank them down till you couldn't turn your/drive/wrench/tool anymore?

 

[Briar Hopper]

Sorry to hear you're having problems, Mark. The reason for the leaks is that the ports on top of the fuel filter housing, as well as all the fittings, use National Pipe Thread (NPT) and it's a tapered thread. Too much removal and re-installation or overtightening of fittings in the past, may have stretched out the taper of your ports. It may even have happened at the factory !

Try some plumber's pipe dope compound, in a squeeze tube, available at Lowe's or Home Depot. Clean and dry the threads first, don't put too much on.

If that doesn't work, try re-installing the plug, and leave it in, if it doesn't leak. The filter housing may need to be drilled/reamed & tapped for a 1/4NPT to 1/8NPT reducing bushing. I'll mail you two of those bushings, no charge, but you'll need to find someone with machine shop experience to do the threading for you. The taper needs to be just right, in metal that soft. I wish I was there to help out. Sorry.

 

[azcummins]

Briar-

Not your fault @ all about the fittings. I figure they are probably too lose, but I don't want to crank them down and then strip them out. I'll try the dope compund and see what happens. The leak isn't too bad really, just that I can see fuel in the threads of the schrader valve fittings. I'll see what I can put together.

 

[JPittman]

Azcummins,



Yes, that's what I did. Just used an open end wrench, tightened it, it wouldn't turn any more, afraid to really "wrench" on it for fear of stripping the threads.