Register now to get rid of these ads!

Correct brake line size?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by tfee, Apr 21, 2008.

  1. tfee
    Joined: Oct 10, 2006
    Posts: 140

    tfee
    Member

    I will be doing the brakes on my highly modified model t soon and I don't know what brake line size to use. I have 12" drums on all 4 corners and a 1" bore master cylinder from an old econoline van. Should I run 1/4" line to the t's and 3/16" from there or will 3/16" suffice all around?
    Thanks in advance
     
  2. I run 1/4". It was what was on the early Fords and I seem to have better luck doing the double inverted flares on the larger size for some reason.
     
  3. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 2,178

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

    Id run 3/16" all the way around but thats just me. i cant recall ever seeing any 1/4" in brake lines but then again i have not seen everything thats out there either.
     
  4. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 2,178

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

    see i just learned me something new.........
     

  5. tfee
    Joined: Oct 10, 2006
    Posts: 140

    tfee
    Member

    Thanks, I will run with the 1/4" then
     
  6. If you run 1/4 don't you have to have an adapter to go into the wheel cly?
     
  7. Paul2748
    Joined: Jan 8, 2003
    Posts: 2,381

    Paul2748
    Member

    Run 3/16 - don't putz around with different sizes
     
  8. Rex Schimmer
    Joined: Nov 17, 2006
    Posts: 743

    Rex Schimmer
    Member
    from Fulton, CA

    Use the 3/16 size it will give you a firmer pedal.

    Rex
     
  9. Fogger
    Joined: Aug 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,804

    Fogger
    Member

    Good advice is to run the same size as master and wheel cylinders. Early Ford was 1/4" all arround. But new system wheel cylinders and master are generally 3/16". I've been using 3/16" on all the cars I've build that way I don't need adapters. The FOGGER
     
  10. enjenjo
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 2,689

    enjenjo
    Member
    from swanton oh

    As far as brake line size, the brakes don't care what size they are. Old Fords, pre 48 used 1/4" lines. 49 and up Fords used 3/16". GM until recently used 1/4" in the rear, and 3/16" in the front. Line size does not change the pressure on the wheel cylinders.
     
  11. HemiRambler
    Joined: Aug 26, 2005
    Posts: 4,208

    HemiRambler
    Member

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^
    What Enjenjo said

    EDIT:

    Technically speaking the smaller line will carry more pressure - which might explain why Detroit went to 3/16" - the advent of disc brakes doubled line pressure.
     
  12. 35Chevy.com
    Joined: Nov 27, 2007
    Posts: 542

    35Chevy.com
    Member
    from New Jersey

  13. I always do 3/16" all around. A few things good about the 3/16" is that you can make bends with a tighter radius using a tubing bender, and you can make gentle bends or adjustments easily with your bare hands.

    Get a good tubing flaring tool. It sucks trying to make the flares with a piece of crap tool. When you get a line all bent and cut perfectly, the last thing you want is to have the flare get ruined by trying to use a junky flaring tool. I bought a used old Blue-Point flaring kit, and it's never let me down.
     
  14. we are seriously getting close to over thinking this

    run 3/16 or 1/4...whichever works out best for you
     
  15. enjenjo
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 2,689

    enjenjo
    Member
    from swanton oh


    In technical terms, there is no "flow" in a brake system. The fluid moves so little that the Bernoulli principle does not really apply.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.