someone asked me about correct torque for AN fittings before I left..

I didnt know a definitive answer so I told him hand tight plus a quarter to half turn.

I emailed holley before I left to ask..

checking my email I found their response.

they didnt give an "exact figure"

Hi,
Hand tight + 1/2 turn is a good rule of thumb
Thanks

It really depends on the fitting. Some are steel, some are aluminum, some are stainless. If you over tighten the fitting you can damage the cone seat which could result in a leak. You should also never mix steel with aluminum fittings. I usually tighten until i feel is botton and go snug and then just give it a little bit more. You can actually feel an an fitting go tight and its not the tightness of the fitting that seals like on a npt fitting its the actual cone on the adapter and and the seat on the fitting that create the seal. I only know one person that might be able to give a definitive answer and that person would be Kevin Cochran at Earls. Next time I have him on the phone I will ask him.

After Shark said: I only know one person that might be able to give a definitive answer and that person would be Kevin Cochran at Earls. Next time I have him on the phone I will ask him.

Ricky at carb support was the one who repsonded to my question..

Please let us know what the "Earls" official answer is.. Ive never had a problem tightening them.. just curious..

I hate to say it, but when you get used to them, you just do the right torque. I don't have any specs. Going by experence and feel is very hard to relate. And the feel is very important. I know this doesn't help. Sorry.

cthulhu said: someone asked me about correct torque for AN fittings before I left.

Thanks for your diligent research, Ben, that was me asking. Guess bottom line is, "play it by ear".

JR

Another question on joining fittings. Since the seal is made by the cone and seat, is it absolutely necessary to use teflon tape and if it is, how many times around the threads? To me, that would make you lose that feel of how much to tighten. Assembly lube I can see using. I'm using Earl's Swivel-Seal aluminum fittings. Thanks, guys, for all your patience.

JR

you dont use any pipe tape with AN fittings.. the threads dont make a seal of any kind..

cthulhu said: you dont use any pipe tape with AN fittings.. the threads dont make a seal of any kind..

Thanks, Bossman...Summit's trying to make a quick buck. They sell the lube along with tape.

JR

Aluminum/Copper Tubing: "Inch Pounds"
Minimum - Maximum
-2/ 20 - 30
-3/ - - -
-4/ 50 - 65
-5/ 65 - 80
-6/ 100 - 125
-8/ 210 - 250
-10/ 300 - 350
-12/ 425 - 500
-14/ 500 - 600
-16/ 600 - 700

Steel Tubing - "Inch Pounds"
Minimum - Maximum
-2/ - - -
-3/ 90 - 100
-4/ 135 - 150
-5/ 180 - 200
-6/ 270 - 300
-8/ 450 - 500
-10/ 650 - 700
-12/ 900 - 1000
-14/ 1000 - 1100
-16/ 1200 - 1400

"If you follow these torque values, it will probly leak"
These values are derived from an Air Force aircraft Tech Manual

Hope this helps!
Sarge

Whooooa!!! Nice going, Sarge.

JR