Brought to you by JEGS.
Making your own custom hoses is a perfect way to put the finishing touch on any project
vehicle.
Today, we'll show you how to correctly assemble fittings for three of the most popular kinds
of high performance hoses -- braided stainless steel or nylon, high performance PTFE, and
Push-Loc Hose.
When you think of custom plumbing, braided stainless steel or nylon hose is the first
thing that comes to mind.
Both kinds of hose use similar fittings and assembly techniques.
First, measure the length of the hose necessary, being sure to include the length of the fittings
on both ends, sufficient radius for any curves, and allowance for engine movement if necessary.
Wrap the location of the desired cut with tape to prevent fraying.
Then cut the hose squarely with a hose cutting tool, cutoff wheel, or hacksaw.
A good clean cut is the key to a leak-free connection, so take your time and make sure
to blow or rinse away any debris.
Disassemble the fittings, and slide the sleeve over the end of the braided hose.
While this can be done by hand with a little care and patience, the KOULtools Fitting Assembly
Tool is a good investment if you'll be building a lot of custom hoses, as it makes assembly
quick and painless.
It's helpful to mark the hose just below the sleeve with some tape, so that you can visibly
confirm the hose remains seated in the fitting while you assemble it.
With the hose end fully seated in the sleeve, plant the sleeve securely in a bench vise
using jaw protectors like the ones shown here, which are made specifically for assembling
hoses.
The nylon material grips the fittings securely without damaging the finish.
Using an appropriate assembly lubricant, push the other half of the fitting into the hose
and sleeve while turning, so that the threads engage the inside of the hose.
Using the correct size aluminum AN Wrench to protect the finish, continue screwing the
fitting together until it is completely assembled.
PTFE Lined hose is a popular choice for power steering and brake lines, because it can handle
pressure up to 2,500 PSI.
Fittings for this type of hose use a three piece design with a sleeve, a nipple and a
brass insert called an olive.
Measure and cut your hose, being careful to get a clean square cut on the end.
Slide the sleeve over the end of the hose then carefully separate the steel braid from
the inner PTFE liner.
This can be done using a screwdriver and some patience but special tools are available from
JEGS that make the process much easier and more precise.
Push the olive over the inner hose liner until the ends are flush.
Then make sure that any stray strands of braid are trimmed away.
Place the nipple in your bench vise using padded jaws to protect the finish, and lightly
lubricate the threads and nipple insert.
Push the hose over the nipple until it is fully seated.
Then slide the sleeve over the olive and braid, and thread it onto the nipple by hand.
Tighten the fitting until there is no more than 1/16th inch gap between the sleeve and
the nipple.
Push-Loc hose is a DIY favorite because it's colorful, inexpensive and easy to work with.
It's a good choice for fluids like coolant and oil, but should never be used with any
type of fuel due to possible compatibility issues.
After cutting the hose to proper length and checking that the end is square and clean,
simply apply lubricant to the inside of the hose and the barbed end of the one piece fitting,
then start the barb into the hose by hand.
Place the fitting into your bench vise using jaw protectors to preserve the finish.
Then complete the assembly by pushing the hose onto the barb with a twisted motion until
the hose is fully seated in the rubber insulator.
Stubborn Push-Loc hoses and be easier to seat properly if you warm them using a heat gun
to make the hose more flexible.
To make assembly easier, especially for angled fittings, the KOULTools EZ-ON Hose Press is
ideal.
It securely clamps both the fitting and hose, and then uses a screw vise to draw them together
with minimum effort.
No matter what style of hose and fitting you use, a JEGS AN hose pressure test kit let's
you quickly check the integrity of your hoses and fittings using compressed air, stopping
leaks before they start.
To see the complete line of high performance hoses, fittings and tools to make custom plumbing
easier, visit jegs.com.
Brought to you by JEGS.