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Technical 3/16 or 1/4 brake lines

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by James Mundstock, Apr 26, 2019.

  1. James Mundstock
    Joined: Jun 13, 2017
    Posts: 53

    James Mundstock

    I am working on my 47 Ford coupe. I have a Pete and Jakes dropped axle with 82 Camaro calipers on the front and a 73 Mustang 8" rear end. I am installing a Mustang II dual master cylinder with a 1.06 bore. What size brake lines should I run? Thanks in advance for the replies.
     
  2. what size did the 82 Camaro and the mustang 8 inch that your sourced parts came from? Keep the line size the same as what the brakes the cars originally came with had and you wont have any issues. I don't know for sure about the 8", but I'm pretty sure they both should have 3/16's line to them.
     
    Dino 64 likes this.
  3. dana barlow
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 5,115

    dana barlow
    Member
    from Miami Fla.
    1. Y-blocks

    What the casting /master/calipers are set up for/fitting wise that screw in too them. The car will not care,older cars used 1/4,but they were all older drum. Newer disk and drum work fine with 3/16. If you like the bigger 1/4 line just for looks? It will be a little harder to find fittings,but brake will work great with ether.
     
  4. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    I vote 3/16...
     
    Dino 64 likes this.

  5. Jim Bouchard
    Joined: Mar 2, 2011
    Posts: 1,025

    Jim Bouchard
    Member

  6. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    Agree. 3/16 line has worked for decades.
     
  7. nobby
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,206

    nobby
    Member

    have you bought front flexi's yet? - you are metric m10 IF oem calipers

    I just bought calipers today and have braided lines, but an adaptor to go into the hard line clamp thing, another joint you won't want.

    you can buy rear axle hard lines pre made with the splitter/flexi and vent bolt - is your axle still 61'' wide?
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
  8. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,136

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    3/16" most definitely for me, especially on any kind of hiboy, the 1/4" just looks too big.
     
    Dino 64 likes this.
  9. nobby
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,206

    nobby
    Member

    ooh while talking about brakes
    master cylinder, large port for the front brakes to the combination valve - is this supposed to be 1/4'' line
    1/2'' fitting, then it gets splint at the combination valve down to 3/16
    ??
     
    325w likes this.
  10. Don’t really matter
    You can get 3/16 tube nuts in every OD size so again it don’t matter
     
    Dino 64 likes this.
  11. Do it Over
    Joined: Dec 25, 2017
    Posts: 478

    Do it Over
    Member
    from NYC, NY

    3/16" is what I've found to be the modern standard.
     
  12. I'd run 3/16" to the front and 1/4" to rear hose and 3/16" from tee on the rear axle. Pretty typical on the disc front/drum rear cars and trucks I've worked on.
     
  13. flamedabone
    Joined: Aug 3, 2001
    Posts: 5,440

    flamedabone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I use 1/4 only because my crimper does a better job on 1/4 than 3/16.

    If you are asking from a fluid dynamics/brake effectivity perspective, it makes zero difference in the real world.

    -Abone.
     
    57 Fargo likes this.
  14. What size are the fittings in your calipers/wheel cylinders? That is what I would go by.
     
  15. rusty rocket
    Joined: Oct 30, 2011
    Posts: 5,053

    rusty rocket
    Member

    Just did my car with 3/16.
     
  16. dalesnyder
    Joined: Feb 6, 2008
    Posts: 609

    dalesnyder
    Member

    I just finished plumbing my car with 1/4' I found it harder to source the fittings and PV valves in this size. It was easier to bend and flare. So it was a trade of.f
     

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