AN fittings

[Ryan]

Alright, I know SAE and metric threads, but how does this AN thread thing work?

I found a rough equivalency table on Wikipedia, so I somewhat understand sizes (like SAE they measure the O/D of the hose... useless)

But how do the fittings work? Must the be crimped onto the hose at the factory, or do you get fittings separately and clamp them on yourself? Hose clamps? Special AN clamps?

What do you guys use for feed/drain on turbos? Just guesstimate. 4 and 6?

[RS_OBD'oh_2]

There are several options out there for braided lines, fittings, fluid ratings etc. Here are a couple brands:

EARL's, Fragola, Goodridge, Russell and XRP. Each brand has a variety of different fittings. Some are a simple push on style where others may be a multi peice designe where the hose is pushed on and a threaded coupler slides up and locks it into place.

Aside from the fittings, there are many different types of lines or hoses. As an example, Fragola makes a series; 3000, 8000 Push-lite. The 3000 series is $8.00 usd/ foot, is rated for all hydrocarbon and alcohol based fuels and both oils. Fittings are on avg. $20 ea. The 8000 series is good for fuel, oil and water. $4.5/ft and fittings are about $24 ea.

Series 3000 is steel and 8000 is of a nylon braid IIRC.
For me, Russell is the most common and $ friendly.

Turbo oil drain should always be as large as poss. On average we use a -10 AN. Turbo feed can vary pending on the oiling requirements of your turbo. A -6 with a restrictor may be required.

[Ryan]

Apparently AN fittings must be crimped onto hoses. Poop.

I'm looking only for functional here, and I don't want to spend $100 on fittings.

I want to stick with common threads and fittings so I can just go to a hardware store and buy what I need and not wait for 2 weeks while it ships from china or whatever.

I can use 3/8 barb fittings and 1/8" NPT fittings for 80% of what I want to do.

My only concerns now are:

A NPT to (x) type of fitting to a line

a check valve that is 1/8" NPT on one side, and (x) type of fitting on the other.

the (x) type of fitting must work with some sort of flexible hose, SS braided or whatever. I can buy a length of this hose (only need 1-2 ft) with ends already on it, I'd be okay with that, since this should never need replaced. The only thing is, can I find an adapter from this type of fitting to a NPT. Also it has to handle engine oil and 50 odd PSI.

AN seems like a logical choice. 1/8" NPT to -4AN should exist somewhere.

Are AN fittings also called Flare fittings?

[RS_OBD'oh_2]

Noooo, they are not all crimp ends. Some are, but you should be able to get by with push on fittings. Only really high pressure lines like power steering need to be a crimp. Push on connecters and a t-bolt or gear worm will work for 99% of your needs.

For example, here are my oil fittings to turbo, taken from my work log. I used a pre built 18" or something like that steel braided line. Earl's makes pre made lines in all sorts of sizes.

gettin oily
So the feed fittings are as follows:
1. 1/8bspt (male) to 1/8npt (female)
2. 1/8npt (male) to 1/8npt (female) - oil pressure reduction to save turbo seals
3. 1/8 (male) to -4AN (male) elbow
4. -4 oil line

From turbo out it is a
-10 AN fitting from turbo to a -10 45degree bend to -10 Push on fitting to -10 hose to -10 push on fitting to -10 bulkhead in pan.

Simple simple. Just costs a little more.