Plumbing any special car can be a tedious, and expensive task. When it comes to race cars, it is not uncommon to have a significant investment (more than $1,000) in hose end fittings. Everything, including oil, fuel, water, and more may have AN lines.

Jiffy-tite has revolutionized the options and alternatives to traditional AN fittings. By introducing its quick-disconnect fittings, the company has opened up the possibilities for fitting re-use, and ease of service on vehicles whose plumbing is frequently disassembled, such as race cars.

Duane LaFleur of Jiffy-tite gave us the scoop on the theory and construction behind their Pro Compact series of fittings.

“Our Pro Compact series is a quick-disconnect fitting, and it still has all of our features of no stripping, no cross-threading, no over-tightening, no tools needed, but it comes with no valve in it and is 100 percent flow through,” said LaFleur. The Pro Compact series of fittings is available in sizes from -4AN (1/4-inch), up to -20AN (1 1/4-inch) in black or gold anodizing.

Occupying the same space as a traditional AN fitting means that the Pro Compact series is a direct replacement for an existing plumbing fitting. Jiffy-tite fittings are available with color-coded seal compatibility. Because different fluids may adversely affect the rubber seals in a fitting, Jiffy-tite formulates different seals for different applications.

A green fluorocarbon seal is used in fittings intended for water, oil, gasoline, diesel, E85, and transmission fluid.

A blue nitrile seal is intended for alcohol fuel, and a black seal for methanol, and nitromethane.

The next time you are cringing at re-using an AN fitting, and risking a compromised seal due to stretched threads, consider Jiffy-tite.