Well here I go.. tryin to install brakes lines,never done but think I can .. any suggestions before I start any diagrams? I have a chassis mount master cylinder any help is good and appreciated its for a model a coupe
Use the nickel copper alloy brake line available from NAPA. You can bend it by hand easily and it flares easily. Leno had a Utube video of its use: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/all-about-brake-lines/190260/ It costs a bit more but more than pays you back with less frustration and time savings. If the link doesn't work just search for Jay Leno Utube brake line
As mentioned, get some hard wire and premake your lines with the wire, then bend the lines following the wire pattern.
As also mentioned, buy extra line, in case of a screw up; My '40 is the first I ever attempted, and it works. By making wire templates, you can work out what lengths of line to buy. Try to avoid using a coupling where it may become inaccessible after other components are installed. Double flaring is easy, use some scrap stock to practice with, in case you haven't done it. Happy Roddin' , 4TTRUK
What 36-3window and others said: <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> use pre-flared lines if you can , cuts down on double flares and possible leaks. you can mount the tees, residual valves, etc in places where you can take advantage of them Why re-invent the wheel? <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
Use coat hanger wire or other source wire for your templates. Go look Ralph's website, ECI brakes in Ellington, CT before you start anything !
Bend one direction front to back or back to front and use some short peices to mark and bend 90* 45* to use as templets
Not a hard job, dont forget to put the nut on the line before you do the flare..I know we have all made that mistake, doesnt matter how long you have been doing them.
Invest in a GOOD double flaring tool, NOT one of the $12.99 POS pieces most auto parts stores carry. I bought mine from Eastwood. It was NOT cheap, about $180, but I can made factory perfect flares in about 10 seconds, it can flare stainless steel, and work on line up to 1/4" ID (inside diameter). Once you have it, you WILL use it, and doing brake lines will no longer be a pain in the ass (relatively speaking, of course). Worth every penny in my book. Chris
I hate the AN type fittings. I have had several break on me(crack). Also when you need a fitting or line, you can't buy them at a regular auto parts store.
If you wind up using that greenish colored coated stuff - every single time I've done lines with that crap (the pre-made sections), they end up leaking somewhere. I think I have the fittings cranked down tight, but the pressure in the lines from a hard stop actually compresses the flares a little more and they leak. The only saving grace is the leak usually doesn't suck in any air, tighten the lines and top off and it's good to go, except for the mess.
Yes! I use wire to mock up all my lines, then go to the good auto parts store and find pre made lines with flares and fittings already on them. It's much easier, and still looks very nice when completed. I've done a lot of flared lines, and have the tools, but it's time consuming, and if you screw up a flare at the 2nd end, you just wasted that line, unless you can reuse it elsewhere.
I love AN fittings. They are every bit as good as the double flare stuff and are much easier to use. However, don't use the aluminum ones on brake lines ...only steel.
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