AN fittings, braded hoses and lines info thread.

[alexza4]

So, i thought i'd put as much of the info i have (none written by me, just a compilation from various sources) on both the AN/NTP fittings and the hoses in one thread. I know the info is sometimes hard to find and could be confusing as hell on the exact components you may need if you've never dealt with this. Dealing with AN fittings and corresponding lines can certainly become PITA, incorrectly done will certainly cause leaks or worse and these not being cheap one should know what they're doing before attempting making their own lines.

Everyone, please contribute, i know some of you guys here are fittings/lines gurus! the more info the merrier :)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fitting/hoses assembly DIY's
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/arti...-fittings.html
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2150049
http://www.club3g.com/forum/performa...-fittings.html

*******

Holley.com - an excellent catalog/resource site for Earl's brand.

*******

Places to buy from: (i don't know which brands are better quality, so folks please speak up!)
Summit Racing
Jegs
ThinkAuto
American House
Baker Precision
034 Motorsports
ATP Turbo
Russell Performance
Pegasus Auto Racing


*******

If you're looking for black AN fittings



*******

An always useful Wiki info :)


AN/NPT Fitting Thread Size Chart

“AN” THREAD SIZES
AN (Army-Navy) Sizes were established by the Aerospace industry years ago and were designated O.D. of the rigid metal tube that each size fitting is used with. (The chart to the right will clarify this point.)

The numbers assigned equate to the O.D. (outside diameters) of the tubing in 1/16”. Since tubing and hoses are to be found with assorted wall thicknesses, we can now understand that the designated size number does not necessarily tell you how large the inside diameter will be. (For example, the inside diameter of an Earl’s size 6 hose end is nearly as large as the inside diameter of some manufacturers’ -8 hose ends.)
Each AN size number has its own standard thread size which can be seen in column three of the chart. Again, these are the same thread sizes that have been used in aircraft and industrial applications for many years.





“NPT” THREAD SIZES
Some of the most popular adapter fittings shown in their catalog are AN to NPT adapters. While many variations are offered, column four in the chart shows which AN size corresponds to each NPT size when inside diameters (flow dimensions) are considered.
All Earl’s Swivel-Seal hose ends are designed to provide little or no restriction when used with the corresponding AN fitting size. We also offer a number of Metric and British Standard Pipe threads to AN fitting adapters.







******


Excellent PDF doc depicting all different types of the available fittings




Different available fittings/hoses and their application (info is from thinkauto.com)

Aerospace Style Hoses

For war zones like Vietnam the US military required a range of strong, light, high temperature hose assemblies that could be serviced in the field for use in oil, fuel and hydraulic applications, mainly on helicopters. Aeroquip came up with the AE701 hose and "Little gem" ® fittings, these eventually found their way onto the war surplus market and were seized upon by the motor racing fraternity.
The supply of these hoses and fittings gradually dried up, and a new industry came into being making compatible hose and fittings. Earls "Permo-o-flex", Goodridge "200" and Keith Black "Kb-plus" are examples. Aeroquip returned to the market with the hose renamed "FC333 Racing hose".
All these hoses and fittings are interchangeable but only assemblies from one "manufacturer" have any guarantee. Despite the interchangeability there are differences in design of the method of fitting and the means of achieving a "double swivel" on angled fittings.
In the beginning the Aeroquip " little Gem " fittings had a cutter style attachment. which was suited to coping with the high pressures in hydraulic systems and assembly by trained personnel. For the less demanding motorsport use they opted for the far more user friendly compression style fitting, unlike the competition which stayed with the old design.
Aeroquip were very late in producing a double swivel angled fitting but when they did they overcame problems associated with existing designs where to achieve a swivel the fitting had to turn in the hose thus breaking the primary seal and often when sticking occurred the secondary seal as well.

Complies with FIA regulations. Used by professional teams who will only consider the best for fuel, oil and airjack systems.

MOQUIP aero hose & compact fittings


AEROQUIP racing hose & fittings





Moquip Oil Hoses

Moquip oil hoses and fittings are economically priced and suitable for all oil carrying purposes in vehicles except those used in competition where regulations specify a 135°C maximum temperature. (The hose will still function at these temperatures but a gradual but detectable hardening of the hose will shorten life).







Aeroquip push-on hose & fittings

This is a textile hose with synthetic rubber inner tube, one layer of textile braid reinforcement and a synthetic rubber outer layer.
Assembly of hose to fitting is very simple, the fitting is simply pushed into the hose, this hose has the reinforcing braid woven in such a way that the grip on the fir tree type fitting increases as the force trying to push it out increases.
This hose has had a resurgence of popularity recently, especially since aluminium fittings were introduced. Some examples of this hose have a 150°C rating, however instances of the fitting blowing out of the hose at extreme temperatures have been reported on some makes (not Aeroquip), extra clamping should be considered where very high temperatures are involved.
This type of hose and fitting can be interchangeable between brands but only genuine Aeroquip assemblies can be guaranteed. We can provide a stainless steel braid covering for these hoses, this does not impart any greater strength only enhanced appearance and abrasion resistance, factory swaged ferrules or finisher such as a “Pro clamp ® “ must be used to hide frayed ends.








Smooth bore TFE hose and fittings

Conventional brake hoses, manufactured in rubber with textile reinforcement, are permitted to have a significant amount of volumetric expansion, that is they swell under pressure, this leads to a soft feel to the brake pedal, acceptable in a road vehicle but not for competition.
On racing vehicles, this has lead to the universal usage of smooth bore PTFE (Teflon ® ) hose with normally a stainless steel. This hose has the added benefit of lightness, strength, high temperature resistance and protection from stone damage.
We call it " Moquip TFE ", Aeroquip " TFE racing hose " or " 2807", Aeroquip Aerospace " 666 ", other brand names are " Speed-Flex ", 600 ", and " 411 ". They can be had with re-useable or swaged on fittings. With the exception of Aeroquip Aerospace, hose and fittings are interchangeable between brands.
Some countries, not the UK, insist on tests for brake hoses. The TFE hose assembly passes all the tests except the whiplash test which ensures that the hose is suitable for withstanding large wheel movements on vehicles doing hundreds of thousands of miles, quite sensible, but not relevant to competition motoring. Some hose specialists have recently come up with complicated assemblies allowing the hoses to pass the test, but generally speaking, they are not suitable for high mileage road usage.
These hoses are also suitable for oil pressure gauge lines, fuel injection pipes, power steering hoses and, because of their high temperature capabilities, on turbocharger oil feed and return lines.







Aeroquip Startlite hose

Use where light weight is a primary concern. Complies with FIA regulations. Very little heat dissipation through hose which can be handled whilst containing oil at 100ºC. Unlike convoluted TFE hoses, hose bore is smooth.

The hose has a special AQP neoprene inner tube, reinforced with fire retardant Nomex outer. To achieve greatest weight saving, up to 45%, use factory swaged silver and blue fittings, for on site assembly use the red and blue compression style Racing Hose fittings.







Convoluted stainless steel tube and fittings.

Specially formed stainless steel convoluted tube with re-useable red/blue anodised aluminium fittings. Use on fuel lines, dry sump lines to and from tank where light weight and ease of installation are considerations.







ProGold hose & fitting

An extremely light hose assembly consisting of a convoluted wrapped PTFE (Teflon) liner with a Nomex covering, PTFE hoses are resistant to all types of automotive fluids. They are also available with stainless steel braid outer covering. Where the utmost weight saving is sought factory swaged fittings are used but hoses with re-useable fittings still offer a significant weight saving. There is no interchangeability of hoses and fittings between different manufacturers of convoluted TFE hose.
Fittings are aluminium with anodised blue fittings and gold nuts/ferrules. Elbows have one piece bends (not brazed) and the double swivel rotates in the housing not hose. ProGold AR fittings are reusable, ProGold AC fittings are swaged at our factory.



There's a huge amount of different adapters that could be used with AN fittings and all could be purchased from any of the sources above.



cont. next post.

[alexza4]

Thought this was a good/informative read (from aeromotiveinc.com)


AN vs. NPT: Understanding port threads, adapter fittings and line sizes.

The designation AN stands for Army/Navy and calls out mil/spec (military specifications) for dimensional standards of hydraulic lines, hose-end connectors and port adapter fittings. AN specifications are a popular standard met by all companies that manufacture AN style performance fuel hose and accessories. For many there has been much confusion about the subject of AN lines, NPT and ORB ports, and how all of this works together. Here are the answers for those wanting to know.

The flare angle used to seal AN connections is required to be SAE, 37 degree, as apposed to the 45 degree flare commonly found on household plumbing adapters. This angle can be found on the male point of the port adapter fitting and on the female inside the hose-end nut. AN port threads are not NPT or “pipe thread” but instead utilize straight threads (like any normal fastener) and SAE O-Ring Boss (ORB) technology for sealing. AN lines, ORB ports and the appropriate port adapter fittings are measured in inch/fractional sizes.

A dash (–) size in AN “speak” refers to the I.D. of a standard, thin wall, hard line as the basis to construct a comparable flexible hose that may be used in it’s place. A 1/2”, thin wall, hard line measures .500” on the outside diameter (O.D.), has an inside diameter (I.D.) of 0.440”, and a wall thickness of 0.030”. An appropriate, flexible replacement line would be –8 AN, with a minimum 0.440” I.D. Depending on line construction, rubber with stainless steel or nylon braid, or Teflon with stainless steel braid, the line’s wall thickness and O.D. may vary.

AN line sizes will have a dash (-) preceding the line size. The number after the dash refers to the number of 1/16 of an inch O.D., thin wall, hard line to which the flexible line will compare. For example, calling for a –8 AN line would mean the engineer or system designer requires a flexible line, made of certain materials suitable for the application, that would have the minimum I.D. of an 8/16” (1/2”) O.D. hard line. The actual line construction is dictated by the application with regard to line flexibility, vacuum and pressure capability, abrasion resistance and chemical compatibility, etc. Regardless, the engineer knows a -8 line of any construction will have a minimum I.D. equal to 1/2” hard line (.0440”), and be able to support similar flow rates.

Here are some of the common army/navy (AN) line and thread specifications: -04 AN line = 4/16” = 1/4” hard line. –04 AN Port and Fitting thread is: 7/16” -20 TPI. -06 AN line = 6/16” = 3/8” hard line. –06 AN Port and Fitting thread is: 9/16” -18 TPI. -08 AN line = 8/16” = 1/2” hard line. –08 AN Port and Fitting thread is: 3/4” -16 TPI. -10 AN line = 10/16” = 5/8” hard line. –10 AN Port and Fitting thread is: 7/8” -14 TPI. -12 AN line = 12/16” = 3/4” hard line. –12 AN Port and Fitting thread is: 1-1/16”-12 TPI.

Modern, high performance fuel systems are predominately fitted with safer, better sealing, higher flowing, AN-ORB ports. These ports require a straight thread adapter fitting, with a sealing O-Ring installed over the threads, up to the hex, that disappears into the port when properly installed. No additional thread sealer is required or recommended.

National Pipe Thread (NPT) ports, AN Ports and port adapter fittings:
Over the years, in low-pressure hydraulics, NPT has been a popular thread for ports and adapter fittings. When NPT ports are used in a fuel system with AN line, an adapter fitting to convert from NPT to AN is required. NPT was designed for use with thick walled pipe, typically black pipe, used in fixed structures like buildings, to handle distribution of water and natural gas. Black pipe isn’t particularly bendable, flexible or lightweight and hardly desirable for plumbing a high performance fuel system. As a result fittings that adapt NPT ports to AN line are common to allow flexible AN lines to be utilized in performance automotive fuel systems.

Unlike AN thread, which is straight, NPT ports and fittings are both tapered. NPT male to female adapters start loose, threading easily but get tight and harder to turn well before the hex touches the port. When threaded together, the NPT design creates a wedging effect, binding the thread in order to seal. The use of a thread sealant is common and required with NPT, as it does not consistently create a positive seal on it’s own, like an O-Ring configuration. It’s common to see a number of threads showing on the adapter fitting when NPT is sufficiently tight, making NPT assemblies bulkier and less clean appearing than a similar AN assembly.

NPT ports are commonly adapted to AN lines, but the NPT size designation is confusing, identifying the pipe I.D. rather than the O.D. Black pipe has a much thicker wall than hard line, so the pipe/port O.D. is much larger than the NPT size would seem to indicate. For example, a 3/8” NPT port will have an outside diameter of 5/8”, allowing for a wall thickness of 1/8” (0.125”). As a result, NPT port sizes allow use of a one step larger AN line than their indicated size would seem to support. As long as the wall of the adapter fitting is not overly thick, the following NPT Port to AN adapters will provide a common I.D. through-hole:

Maximum AN line for NPT port size: 1/4” NPT is compatible with up to -6 AN (3/8” hard line) 3/8” NPT is compatible with up to –8 AN (1/2” hard line) 1/2” NPT is compatible with up to –10 AN (5/8” hard line) 3/4” NPT is compatible with up to -16 AN (1” hard line)

Adapter fittings are available for connecting larger than recommended AN lines to the above NPT ports. Beware, the inside diameter of the adapter fitting will necessarily be smaller on the NPT side, creating a flow restriction that many racers and hotrod enthusiasts overlook. This is a poor practice and should be avoided, but when no alternative is available, consider sourcing a steel NPT to AN adapter from a good hydraulic supplier. Steel adapters will have a thinner wall than aluminum, due to the increase in material strength, leaving a larger I.D. to support higher flow on the too small, NPT side of the adapter.

[dougyfresh]

Funny. I actually spent my lunch hour going through this stuff on my own today.

The Jegs brand AN fittings are cheaper than the Summit Racing brand.

The Jegs Pro-Flo 350 series braided hose is a nice alternative to full out stainless steel external. Comes in black too.

If you want rubber, the Jegs push-loc rubber hose is also a good alternative.

Torn on which one I'll use for my catch can system. Leaning towards the pro-flo-350 with thermal sleeve since its gonna be close to my exhaust.

[absolutegtr]

I have been meaning to read up on the various fitting available for a loooong time. You just made me finally be done with it

+rep

[alexza4]

Funny. I actually spent my lunch hour going through this stuff on my own today.

funny it is, looks like we were doing the same thing at lunch today as i was also sorting through my links figuring out what i will use for the catch can. that's what kinda gave me an idea of throwing all the info i have into one thread to help other out with the world of AN...

I have been meaning to read up on the various fitting available for a loooong time. You just made me finally be done with it

+rep

Thanks man, glad it helped :)

[A4 TSCHUSS]

My summit brand braided hose which 034 sells sucks. It has sort of fell apart where the fitting goes on which I am assuming is crappy rubber hose inside. I had to take the fitting off twice and redo it because it started leaking and it started leaking again. The rubber just kinda eroded away. I will probably have to end up doing it over with a new line.

[Jake39454]

Do NOT buy cheap Summit or Jegs AN to hose fittings... I have had several shear off before even tightening fully. Also if you use cheap hose, you WILL feel it when you go to assemble the hose to fitting, it SUCKS.

Speaking from personal experience here...

[alexza4]

Do NOT buy cheap Summit or Jegs AN to hose fittings... I have had several shear off before even tightening fully. Also if you use cheap hose, you WILL feel it when you go to assemble the hose to fitting, it SUCKS.

Speaking from personal experience here...

My summit brand braided hose which 034 sells sucks. It has sort of fell apart where the fitting goes on which I am assuming is crappy rubber hose inside. I had to take the fitting off twice and redo it because it started leaking and it started leaking again. The rubber just kinda eroded away. I will probably have to end up doing it over with a new line.

Excellent points, spoken from experience. Exactly what we need. I've added a comment on this in the first post. So folks please point out which are good/bad brands or places to buy from. I'm sure it will help a lot (me for instance )

[Jake39454]

Pretty much all Aeroquip for me. For both lines and fittings

The one Jegs brand hose I like is the pushloc

[lookaught]

Do NOT buy cheap Summit or Jegs AN to hose fittings... I have had several shear off before even tightening fully. Also if you use cheap hose, you WILL feel it when you go to assemble the hose to fitting, it SUCKS.

Speaking from personal experience here...

Speaking from the other side, I used Jegs brand fittings and hose and didn't have any issues assembling them.

Jeg's customer service is also AMAZING. That, IMO, is worthy of consideration.

Nice pose OP!

[Jake39454]

How many lines did you make? I've had some work as well, but personally broken several...

[gotboost]

is there a diy for assembling the fittings

[A4 TSCHUSS]

Yeah. Slide the sleeve over the hose, push the end fitting into the hose through the sleeve (the nipple part of the fitting) and then thread it into the fitting. Not to much going on there.

[Haenszel20v]

Do not use Jegs Push-loc for Fuel. Only the Aeromotive synthetic rubber pushloc stuff. If you have already, and its been over a year... please check your lines for stiffness and cracking.

[alexza4]

is there a diy for assembling the fittings

ah thank you for reminding me i have the links to some excellent DIY's and i forgot to post them.

Just did in the first post.

[outsider6661]

http://www.russellperformance.com/ good quality fittings and hoses reasonably priced had nothing but luck with Russell and another reliable source for fittings and hoses
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/ sorry if these are re-posts just quickly skimmed the OP

Diego B

[alexza4]

^Thank you Diego, i've added both to the list in the first post.

[gotboost]

Thanks for all the links, I need to start getting my lines together. I think summit is the cheapest Ive found so far, but I like the pegasus website.

[Pufftrees]

Awesome Post, +Rep

[Sales@RAI]

good stuff Alex

[CaRtharsis]

Though I might add a few links that I have found useful. Has some pics of various fittings and adapters. Not sure if these companies still exist so just use it as a reference.

http://www.bandemfg.com/catalog.pdf

http://www.bonaero.com/Plumbing.htm#AN951

Excellent info compiled above. Props.

[dougyfresh]

Just dropped a few pennies on fittings and lines for my oil vapor catch can system. Went with the Jegs brand push-lock hose and fittings.

jegs.com
555-110053 - AN-10 push-loc straight fitting (black)
555-110063 - AN-10 push-loc 45deg fitting (black)
555-110073 - AN-10 push-loc 90deg fitting (black)
555-102031 - AN-10 push-loc hose 10ft (black)
555-32013 - thermal heat sleeving 3/4inch ID, 3ft (black)
555-82038 - cushion clamps AN-10 size (package of 10)

and got these from streetsideauto.com since summit was out of stock.
AT982510ERL - Earls AN-10 to AN-10 to 1/2inch NPT Tee fitting (black)
AT981609ERL - Earls AN-10 to 3/4inch NPT fitting (black)

[F16HTON]

Earls hoses are the best in my opinion, yes it is a Holley brand but their stuff is top notch.

[dougyfresh]

Anyone have any luck with Summit's brand aluminum fuel lines? I wonder if the increased cost (more than double) of Russell's is worth it? Greg, your dragster experiences please.?.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/D.../?autoview=SKU

Only benefit I see is the anodizing to protect the line itself from the elements since raw aluminum corrodes over time.

Another option is stainless steel lines but I have not looked into that yet. Probably just as expensive as the Russell anodized aluminum stuff. You then also run the risk of two dissimilar metals (aluminum AN fittings with SS lines).