Fittings, fittings standards everywhere

[mladen]

This isn't really that uncommon in areas of life, but running into the whole fitting standard bonanza has been quite frustrating. I spent probably 5 hours yesterday reading and researching, and I'm still not sure I have what I need. What's this complex thing that I need you ask? It's a.... 90 degree fitting for the fluid reservoir [insert scary-face-emoji here]

I have the Mike Forte's 3 reservoir kit. I've managed to determine, at least by the diameter and thread pitch that it's a 3AN fitting. The other ends will be attached to the barb fitting on the master cylinders via a 1/4 ID hose. So after about an hour of searching, I find that there seem to be no 90 degree fittings that are female 3AN to 1/4 barb. I've found one straight one and 4AN and larger to barb. So I manage to find a 3AN female to 4AN male adapter (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M9N96LH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) that can then go to a 4AN female to 1/4 barb 90 degree fitting (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MFPDJJN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), and my problem would be solved. Right? Well the answer is a definite maybe! This morning I'm looking at those listings again and I notice an interesting three-letter acronym, JIC. Turns out there are multiple standards of this, with different names being used as well. Some places say they are interchangeable, some say absolutely not. The more I read the more standards I get to and the less I'm certain I know what the right thing is. And all I need is a 90 degree fitting :( My car is now a mix of quick connect, barb, NPT, AN, and maybe this JIC thing now. I ran into something called MS fittings just now, maybe I should get a few of those. Gotta catch 'em all! :D

Any thoughts from folks that actually understand this? I don't mind wasting some money on getting incorrect fittings here and there, but would like to avoid having break fluid leaks blowing up in my face :D

[Papa]

Have you simply asked Mike Forte what fitting is needed for his reservoir? Most of the threaded openings I've seen on reservoirs have been pipe threads, NPT. There is a conversion from measured diameter to NPT size.

[mladen]

I haven't reached out but that piece is where I have less uncertainty, it's the two other fittings I'm struggling with.

Here's a photo of what's coming out of the reservoirs. Threads are 3/8-24, and judging by that taper I'd say that's AN3.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QHQqzvvcjqcPEXsX8

[JohnK]

I would definitely reach out to Mike, but my guess is that these are NPT to -3 AN adapters that are installed. If you want a 90* elbow coming out of the reservoir, rather than stacking adapters onto the existing AN fittings, I'd be inclined to remove those fittings and install a 90* NPT to barb fittings on the reservoirs. Fewer connections to worry about leaking down the road.

[Chopper]

I think you're right, and -3 an is pretty typical for brake/clutch fittings. I am guessing you are trying to adapt this to the red hoses FFR supplies for connecting to the MCs. In my car I used the red hose, and to adapter my Tilton reservoir I used two fittings together to do the same 90 degree setup you're talking about (a 90 degree -3an to NTP, then NTP to barb).

If you have room, straight fittings are available that do this (Earl's AT984603ERL, Vibrant Performance 11266, etc). I have seen other builders replace the red hose entirely with braided hose or hard line, so may also be worth consideration.

[Papa]

I haven't reached out but that piece is where I have less uncertainty, it's the two other fittings I'm struggling with.

Here's a photo of what's coming out of the reservoirs. Threads are 3/8-24, and judging by that taper I'd say that's AN3.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QHQqzvvcjqcPEXsX8

I see what you're describing now. Pull one of those fittings from the reservoir. If it has an o-ring, it's, get ready, ORB and not NPT. It's very common to have ORB to AN connections. The problem is clocking for a 90 degree fitting since the ORB part has no real wiggle room to allow you to clock the fitting unless they swivel like this example:

High Flow Radius 90 Degree Aluminum -10 AN Male Flare to 10AN Male Swivel Fitting Adapter With AN10 O ring ORB Port, Black https://a.co/d/bZkwtEQ

[i.e.427]

The actual reservoirs aren't made by Mike, he gets them from a supplier (maybe Wilwood) and they come with those fittings. We hit Mike up a while back and we bought new fittings from him to replace those supplied. The adapter fitting into the reservoir is 6 ORB to AN3. Mike sent new one that are 6 ORB to AN4. He also set us up with some 90* AN4 to 1/4" push-loc. Worked out perfect with the hose that cam with the master cylinders.

[MSumners]

One option to stay -AN
Goes into the wilwood master. Look close the inside is threaded.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=172250&d=1662676939

[Papa]

One option to stay -AN
Goes into the wilwood master. Look close the inside is threaded.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=172250&d=1662676939

Yep... 9/16-18 is -6 ORB.

[mladen]

Thanks all! Somehow I typed up a response and sent it, but I don't see it. Hopefully I didn't send it to a random thread. :D

Good point on swivel adjustment with the fittings I have. Luckily the reservoirs are round so I can just rotate them in the mount as needed even with the setup I'm planning.

As ie427 mentioned, I was planning on using the hoses that came with the Wilwood master cylinders. So far everything looks set. Just waiting on those adapters so I can start bleeding the system and finding all the leaks I probably have :D I did get the reservoirs mounted as ie427 showed in his video. Looks great. I did end up adding one more screw at the top to hold the bracket so there are three total. (the two in the image were temporary, I used larger 1/4 screws with a countersunk head)

172251

Maybe another question when we're on the topic of fittings. The only option for 90deg 3AN to 1/4 barb I found was this quick connect from Jiffy Tite (https://www.jegs.com/i/Jiffy-tite/517/21503JE/10002/-1). Did anyone use them? I didn't go for them, not because of the price, I was just not comfortable with quick connect fittings in this application, but I'm sure they work great.