Stainless plumbing

[smashingchuck]

Alright guys, I need to plumb everything for my truck. Air lines, brake lines, gas lines... and I want to do it in stainless.

What I'm looking for is a place that can sell me lines, fittings, and a flaring tool. And I mean a decent flaring tool, not the KB Tools one that breaks when you try to flare the first line.

I'm also looking for some advice on this subject so... let's discuss.

[Turbo85GMC]

I bought a pre-bent set of stainless brake lines from Inline Tube and they look like good quality. I haven't installed them yet, so I can't speak on the fit.

[smashingchuck]

prebent is not going to work for my application.... My master cylinder is under the dash the the proportioning valve is going to be under the cab!

[bagged69c10]

Try inline tube or classic tube.

[N2TRUX]

Try www.classictube.com. They sell stainless tubing (duh) as well as many types of benders, etc. I just looked at an ad they ran in Street Rodder mag. The item that caught my attention was a "Tubing Coil Straightener" . They ship the tubing in "lengths" or "coils" and the Tubing Coil Straightener allows you to be the more economical coils and supposedly straighten it out.

I have never used them, so maybe someone else can let us know how they are.

[jlaird]

I got my stainless line from inline tube. I got the universal street rod kit. It came with straight length pieces of tube. I got a blue point (snap on) flaring tool off ebay. Everything went smoothly. (for once) Here are some pics:

[bagged69c10]

Very clean work. Did it come with the clamps? Did you double flare it?

[jlaird]

yes, the kit came with the clamps and I did double flare it.

[lolife99]

jlaird,... That's obviously not your first time running hard lines. Looks really nice. What's a good price on a Blue Point flaring tool?

Also,... how many different size benders do you have?
3/8", 5/16", and 1/4"?

[badblu97]

I have been kicking this idea around for by bucket, and seeing these pics makes me REALLY want to do it now!!!! Looks killer! can we get a tutorial or something? tricks and tips? what is double flaring? AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by lolife99

jlaird,... That's obviously not your first time running hard lines. Looks really nice. What's a good price on a Blue Point flaring tool?

Also,... how many different size benders do you have?
3/8", 5/16", and 1/4"?

Actually it was my first time doing it. I'm just meticulous and stuff like this and it takes me forever and a day to do things

I think I paid like $75 for the flaring tool off ebay, but I noticed sears (craftsman) had what looked like the same one for less. If you want a good one that will last you a lifetime and will flare anything you throw at it, look at Rigid.

The bender I have is nothing fancy, its one that bends multiple sizes.

This weekend maybe I will do a little tutorial for you guys.

[scotts62]

Cool jlaird looks good! That would be cool, i would like to do mine in steel.

[smashingchuck]

Here is the exact flaring tool I ended up with.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AIT&viewitem=

I tried using cheaper ones (not built to do stainless specific flares) and they flat out wouldn't work on the particular stainless tubing I used. I am using 37 degree flares with JIC hydrolic fittings. All I have done now is the about half the air lines. I ended up getting everything I needed (with the exception of the flaring tool) at a local hydrolic line shop.

[draggin86]

anyone else looking for a flare tool this one from eastwood caught my eye


http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT


this would probably also be a good tool to have. I'll be investing in both of them.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...roductID=16670

[smashingchuck]

Thats a 45 degree double flare. If you plan on using JIC fittings you will need a 37 degree single flare.

[jlaird]

smashingchuck, are those tube fittings the pushloc flareless type like swaglok's or are they AN (JIC) nut and sleeve type?

The braided stainless in the first picture, I'm assuming you ran that from your bag, out the front crossmember? Is that also a hydraulic hose? Those usually have NPT ends correct?

[smashingchuck]

The braided is the leader hose coming from my York , which came with the kit from Air Lift. I've used all JIC fittings so far which have the 37 degree flare, and are the same as an -AN. Any of my fittings that aren't flared are 1/2 NPT, which is way overkill, but my system was plumber with 1/2 line before so I didn't want to have to buy new valves, bags and tanks. I have no experience with the swagloks. I'm using hard line all the way to the bags... I just don't see the need to run braided anywhere since the whole chassis is rigid.

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

The braided is the leader hose coming from my York , which came with the kit from Air Lift. I've used all JIC fittings so far which have the 37 degree flare, and are the same as an -AN. Any of my fittings that aren't flared are 1/2 NPT, which is way overkill, but my system was plumber with 1/2 line before so I didn't want to have to buy new valves, bags and tanks. I have no experience with the swagloks. I'm using hard line all the way to the bags... I just don't see the need to run braided anywhere since the whole chassis is rigid.

OK, so the tube fittings consist of a threaded nut and sleeve, correct?

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by jlaird

OK, so the tube fittings consist of a threaded nut and sleeve, correct?

Sorry... yes. I haven't tested the system yet for leaks, but my guess is going to be they work quite well. I also have a sealer that i apply when they go together.

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

Sorry... yes. I haven't tested the system yet for leaks, but my guess is going to be they work quite well. I also have a sealer that i apply when they go together.

I didn't think a sealer was used with AN fittings. What exactly are you using?

[cparman]

my last ride was a bit of a custom. I made the 1/2 inch fuel feed line and the 3/8 fule return line. Made a few of the brake lines, and the rest of the brake lins and trans cooler lines were INLINE TUBE. I live in the Jacksonville FL., area and there is a company that works with local industry selling stainless tubing and fittings. IF I remember when I get off of the forum, I will find them and get you a phone #. I would suggest finding a like kind of compamy near you. I will tell you that I borrowed a 1/2 inch tubing bender from a friend. It was 3 feet long and it was almost all I could do to bent the fuel lines I made. This paticular company sells compression fitting that they say are good to 12,000 PSI. I used them. That was 6,000 miles ago in the car: you can see in the engone pic a stainless fitting connected to the red fuel log. I made that tubing that goes from the fuel pump to the fuel long. It was hard work but fun and rewarding

[cparman]

flow tech in Jax.

904-721-0822 Might ask them how to source a company like them in your area. I am a newby to air ride, but think a short piece of flexible line, and all of the rest hardlined would be work, but less possibility of a leak??

[502tripower]

We have a place here called Williams Oil Filter Service. They sell the full either 10' or 12' lengths of SS tubing. You might look for a business in your area that provides the same service. Here is their link. http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/prod...3831-page.html

I purchased all of the tubing form Williams OFS and used the same blue Point flaring kit to do all of my hard lines. Also if you make a pattern and take it in to WOFS they will sell you the tubing and bend it up for you right there on the spot. I know a couple of my buddies have done that and I don't think they changed for the bending. Good Luck

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

Sorry... yes. I haven't tested the system yet for leaks, but my guess is going to be they work quite well. I also have a sealer that i apply when they go together.

what material are your nuts and sleeves? If you use stainless tubing, do the nuts ans sleeves also have to be stainless or can they be a plated steel?

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by badblu97

I have been kicking this idea around for by bucket, and seeing these pics makes me REALLY want to do it now!!!! Looks killer! can we get a tutorial or something? tricks and tips? what is double flaring? AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

a double flare is basicly the wall of the line bent double when forming a flare like this _// compared to a single flare _/
the double flare takes a couple more steps to make but will be more resistant against vibrations leaking and the sort