parker fittings play hard to get

August 26, 2014 · by · in , , , ,

Two month after I “finalized” the design, I have still difficulties sourcing the fittings. I am using Parker fittings in my design. I would not have expected that it is this difficult to get fittings of one of the worlds largest manufacturers. Not impressed. Te “official” supplier was not even able to get an answer if the fittings will be available. A second supplier, not officially distributing Parker, is struggling but it looks “promising” to get the fittings. I guess I will have to find a supplier that is sending me the fittings for the upcoming projects and that is somewhat specialized in filling this gap.

Update 2014-06-22:

Have been fine-tuning the fuel pump assembly:

  • test bending of the tubing with orthogonal 90 degree bends showed that with the equipment I have relatively easy access to, I needed to change the radii.
  • sourcing the fittings I have spec’d out seems to be difficult for my typical contacts, so I had to find alternates. Did not expect this, but what is any project with un-expected stumble stones?
  • research into the temper of stainless steel to be used lead me to 316.

I have started the work on the tank-pickup as well as on the regulated return on the engine.

tank-pickup is relatively easy an straight forward. The section on the engine for the regulated return proofs to be more interesting. After some back and forth, I decided to get copper tubing and a home-tube bender. The plan is to take off some accessory from the engine to make room and then bend the copper tubing to the routing I need. These templates then can be used as basis for the bend stainless steel tubing. I do not want to use the hand benders for the stainless steel, as the bending produces even in copper a deformed tube in the bend section. I have access to better (stationary) bending equipment that does not deform the tubing in the bends.

Yes, it is a little bit more expensive this way but I think it is worth it. After all, if I would choose the simple way, I would not be using tubing but hose. I want to use tubing all the way, as I want the engine bay to look clean, organized and sorted. Over the longer run, I will also clean up the mess of a cable tree that is splatter all over the place from the factory.