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ALWAYS check your AN fittings before installing

A reminder to check your AN fittings prior to installation. This AN fitting was for my lower oil port. Pretty sure my engine would not have enjoyed that.

View attachment 114975
Read your oil cooler recommended fitting material. This looks like an aluminum fitting yet most recommend a steel fitting. I've had several "weeping" fittings with Vans supplied aluminum fittings and replaced with steel, sealed perfectly.

Screenshot 2026-04-12 210049.png
 
Good call. I’ve actually ordered the steel fittings to replace these.
If clocking is critical steel fittings seem to start getting tight "better" than aluminum fittings and it seems you have more "clocking" to get tight than aluminum which gets tight and only give you maybe 45-120 degrees to get clocked tight where steel gives one 45-270 degrees to get tight. Results may vary.
 
"JM" is a manufacturer's mark. It does not designate adherence to an aeronautical standard. A true AN or MS fitting would typically include a manufacturer's mark and the required "AN" or "MS" mark.

Caveat; the AN816 standard with its marking requirements was replaced by an SAE AS4842/1A (and perhaps B). Handing the standards management to the SAE put it behind a paywall where we can't see it without coughing up $75. Anyone have a copy? if so, what are the marking requirements in the SAE-AS standard?
 
"JM" is a manufacturer's mark. It does not designate adherence to an aeronautical standard. A true AN or MS fitting would typically include a manufacturer's mark and the required "AN" or "MS" mark.

Caveat; the AN816 standard with its marking requirements was replaced by an SAE AS4842/1A (and perhaps B). Handing the standards management to the SAE put it behind a paywall where we can't see it without coughing up $75. Anyone have a copy? if so, what are the marking requirements in the SAE-AS standard?

Oh, wasn't sure what you were looking for. I know it is stamped with 816 on one facet and D on another. Might also say AN, but I can't confirm right now.

However, does adherence to an aeronautical standard guarantee a higher level of quality control? Honestly not sure.
 
My first engine start 13 years ago, I had an issue with fuel starvation. With a lot of troubleshooting I found a punch disk still in the AN fitting at the fuel servo.
Should have checked them at install.
 
A reminder to check your AN fittings prior to installation. This AN fitting was for my lower oil port. Pretty sure my engine would not have enjoyed that.

View attachment 114975
Might just be me, but the blue color on this fitting looks to be a different shade than the usual AN fittings.


Don Broussard
RV9 Rebuild in Progress
57 Pacer
 
I was very surprised (but shouldn't have been) to see so many cheap "AN-style" fittings available via all the normal cheap shopping channels - it's been about 20 years since I bought any and back than there were the big auto suppliers like Jegs and of course the aviation suppliers like Aircraft Spruce. Both had pretty good quality. It must be a nightmare to ensure quality hardware today. :(
 
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