Earl's Performance Plumbing
Earl’s Performance Plumbing has manufactured hoses, fittings, and plumbing components for racing and performance applications for decades. In the 1960s, Earl’s introduced flexible stainless-steel braided PTFE-lined hose, followed by innovations such as the Swivel-Seal adjustable hose end, designed to simplify hose routing and fitting alignment. Today, Earl’s offers complete plumbing systems for fuel, oil, coolant, power-steering, brake, and other performance applications. Behrent’s Performance Warehouse carries Earl’s fittings, hoses, hose ends, adapters, and related components for building, repairing, and updating race-car plumbing systems.
Shop Earl’s Fittings, Hoses, and Plumbing Components
Shop Earl’s AN fittings, hose ends, adapters, fuel and brake lines, PTFE hose, and related plumbing components for racing and performance applications. Earl’s offers multiple hose and fitting families rather than one universal system, so choose components based on the fluid, hose series, fitting type, size, pressure and temperature requirements, and assembly method.
Item Number: EAR809110
$53.25
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Item Number: EAR800110
$28.36
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Item Number: EAR804506
$46.55
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Item Number: EAR781010
$119.95
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Item Number: EAR800108
$18.93
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Item Number: EAR809012
$73.29
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Item Number: EAR809108
$51.95
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Item Number: EAR809006
$40.64
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Item Number: EAR800112
$33.24
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Item Number: EAR800116
$51.95
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Item Number: EAR042
$20.87
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Item Number: EAR991947
$14.92
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Earl’s AN Fittings and Adapters
Earl’s AN fittings and adapters include straight and angled fittings, elbows, tees, reducers, expanders, bulkhead fittings, and adapters for connecting AN, NPT, and hard-line components. AN and NPT connections use different sizing and sealing methods, so an appropriate adapter is typically required when joining the two.
Earl’s Hose Ends and Swivel-Seal Fittings
Earl’s offers straight and angled hose ends in reusable, crimp-on, and product-family-specific configurations. Swivel-Seal hose ends are adjustable fittings for compatible rubber-lined hose systems that allow the angled tube to be repositioned after assembly, helping align the hose without twisting it. Stainless-steel braiding refers to the hose’s outer reinforcement, not its inner liner. Verify whether the hose uses PTFE, synthetic rubber, or another liner material when matching it to the correct hose end and fluid application.
How to Choose the Correct Earl’s AN Fitting Size
AN dash sizes are based on tubing outside diameter in sixteenths of an inch, so a -6 size corresponds nominally to 6/16-inch, or 3/8-inch, tubing. Dash size doesn’t guarantee the same hose inside diameter or flow area across every Earl’s product family. When choosing Earl’s AN fittings, match the dash size and hose family, then verify the thread type, male or female connection, fitting angle, fluid compatibility, pressure and temperature ratings, assembly method, and any required adapters.
| Connection type | How it’s sized | How it seals | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN | Dash size, such as -6 or -8 | 37-degree flare | Dash size, male or female connection, and compatible hose or adapter |
| NPT | Nominal pipe size | Tapered pipe threads | Thread size, male or female connection, and specified thread sealant |
AN fittings seal at the 37-degree flare, so you shouldn’t apply thread sealant to the flare. NPT connections seal through tapered thread engagement and may require the appropriate PTFE tape or thread-sealing compound when specified by the product instructions.
Choosing Earl’s Hose and Fittings by Fluid System
Identify the fluid and operating conditions first, then choose an Earl’s hose family and compatible fittings rated for that application.
| Fluid system | What to match | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Fuel type, hose liner, pressure, temperature, and permeation resistance | Choose an Earl’s hose rated specifically for gasoline, E85, methanol, or the fuel in your system. Fuel compatibility varies by hose family. |
| Engine oil | Hose size, temperature, pressure or vacuum, routing, and bend radius | Earl’s hoses and fittings are suitable for oil systems when rated for the application. |
| Coolant | Coolant compatibility, temperature, pressure, routing, and hose construction | For coolant systems, choose Earl’s hoses and fittings from a hose family approved for coolant service. |
| Power steering | Working pressure, pressure spikes, temperature, and fitting type | Earl’s hoses and fittings can be used for power-steering systems when they’re rated for the system’s pressure, temperature, and fluid. |
| Brakes | Brake-fluid compatibility, pressure rating, fitting and flare type, and application | Earl’s brake lines and fittings must match the fluid, pressure, connection, and other requirements of the braking system. |
How to Match an Earl’s Hose End to the Correct Hose
Match an Earl’s hose end to the hose by product family, dash size, and assembly method, not by dash size alone. Different Earl’s hose families may use different sockets, nipples, olives, collars, or crimp designs, so only mix hose and hose-end series when Earl’s identifies them as compatible.
Assembly procedures vary by Earl’s hose family. After confirming compatibility, cut and prepare the hose as specified for that series, install the hose end using the required socket, olive, insert, or crimp procedure, and verify that the hose is fully seated. Follow the instructions for the specific Earl’s product series rather than applying one assembly method to every braided hose.
PTFE vs. Synthetic-Rubber Racing Hose
Earl’s PTFE hose uses a PTFE liner, while synthetic-rubber hose uses a flexible rubber-based liner. PTFE generally offers low fuel-vapor permeation and broad fluid compatibility, while synthetic-rubber hose can offer greater flexibility and a tighter bend radius depending on the product family.
Choose between them by comparing fluid compatibility, pressure and temperature ratings, routing requirements, and the available hose ends. Each hose family may also require a different assembly method, so match the hose and ends as a complete system rather than choosing by dash size alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Earl’s Performance Plumbing
Can Earl’s hose ends be reused?
Some reusable Earl’s hose ends can be installed on compatible replacement hose when the fitting remains undamaged and the product instructions permit reuse. Crimp-on ends aren’t reusable in the same way, and olives, inserts, or other sealing components may require replacement. Don’t reuse fittings that are damaged, distorted, corroded, or excessively worn.
Are Earl’s brake lines universal?
No. Earl’s brake lines vary by length, hose construction, fitting thread, flare type, and vehicle connection. Match the complete line specifications to the braking system rather than choosing a line based on fitting appearance alone.
How do you prevent leaks in a race-car plumbing system?
Start with compatible hose, fittings, and adapters rated for the fluid, pressure, and temperature of the system. Follow the Earl’s assembly instructions for the specific product family, route hoses away from heat and abrasion, and pressure-test the completed system before use.