Brake Line ???

[Tynee]

I've spent considerable time reading through search results without any luck.

When upgrading from Manual Drums to Power Drums, what did everybody do about the brake lines? The addition of the booster and bracket moves the M/C up and forward. This means the old brake lines don't reach anymore.

I've thought about getting a Midas or Meineke or somebody to bend a couple of custom line for me, but that sounds expensive (admittedly, I haven't called anybody yet. The biggest problem would be getting a truck with no brakes from home to a shop).

I've also thought about leaving the distribution block down at the original location so that the old brake lines still screw into it, then buying a couple of pre-fab hoses to run from the M/C to the dist. block. I don't like the fact that the only thing holding the dist. block up in this scenario is the brake lines, and I think this would look sloppy.

Third option is buying a tubing cutter and a bender and all the supplies and learning how to bend brake lines myself. This idea has a lot going for it (I like doing stuff myself and I'd have the tools if I ever do another brake project), but is going to be expensive.

4th option is buying the two-piece brake-line kit I found from one of the vendors for $83.00 + shipping. This seems a bit excessive to me, and I'm not sure I'd be getting the right parts, landing me right back where I started.

Any input?

[7T2]

You can buy all the brake line tools you will ever need for less than $20. Brake line is a buck or two a foot, so for $30 and an afternoon of your time you should be an expert brake line bender.

[cdowns]

buying good quality tubing benders cutters and a double flaring kit is money well spent as it will last you a lifetime and thru hundreds of vehicles

[Tynee]

Originally Posted by cdowns

buying good quality tubing benders cutters and a double flaring kit is money well spent as it will last you a lifetime and thru hundreds of vehicles

When you say good quality benders, cutters and a double flaring kit, what do you have in mind? Any brands I should look for, or steer clear of? I'm definitely not looking to pay Snap-On kind of money here.

[daveo68]

Did not have any problems with moving the M/C to booster on my 68. Just take your time and don't force anything, you should be alright.
Dave

[Tynee]

Originally Posted by daveo68

Did not have any problems with moving the M/C to booster on my 68. Just take your time and don't force anything, you should be alright.
Dave

No matter how much time I take, the brake lines are still gonna be 4-6" too short.

I've already got the booster and M/C mounted.

[daveo68]

I also had to take off some clamps holding lines to frame. Everything fit perfect on mine with minor bending.

[1969k10stepside]

I'd just get a cutter,flarer,bender,and brake line (Where I go it's $1 per foot) and bend it myself.That's what I did on my entire truck while it was together.It's kind of hard to get a pre bent kit in there with the motor in! You'll spend alot less doing it this way than getting a pre bent kit and trying to get it in place..plus you can go in any parts store to get the stuff,and not wait for the "kit" to be mailed to you.

[Bob D]

I was in the same boat about not wanting to buy custom pre-bent brake lines, so I did them all myself on the whole truck. Bought a cheap but adequate double flare tool from NAPA for about $30 similar to this one:
http://www.napaonline.com/NOLViewer/...354&ShowPics=1

and just used the 1/2" tubing cutter from my plumbing repair box. It seems that the double flare came out much neater with the slight crimp in the end of the tube from the cutter wheel. I also used the $10 cheap-o round bending tool.

Bob

p.s. Dont be a ditz like me and forget to put the flare nut on the tube before flaring

[Tynee]

You gentlemen have talked me into it. I'm gonna hit my local Advance on my way home from work.

[Huck]

You can buy pre cut lengths of brake line with the nuts already installed. Just determine the right length and get a decent brake line bender--better to be a bit too long (obviously).