HOW TO: Split the brake lines (many have asked)

[ChiefRocka]

Here's a short write up on how I split the lines on my truck.

This is perfect for the person who wants to have a "split" system, but is not ready or cannot afford disc brake conversion right away.

Our trucks utilize a single line coming out of the stock master cylinder (whether manual or power). This single line is Tee'd off at the LF wheel, then again at the RF wheel.

From there, it runs to the rear of the truck which it feeds the rear brakes..where it is Tee'd again for the L and R rear wheels.

This system is fine...and has been for years. Although, as vehicles get older and related brake parts wear, you run the risk of looseing your brakes COMPLETELY if you blow a line, a wheel-cylinder, or even if the master goes out !!! Of course this does not cure problems elsewhere in your system, which should be checked and replaced as neccesary.

That could be scary or even DEADLY !!

I would sure hate to have an accident and injure one of my family members, or anyone else on the road for that matter.

So until I'm ready to do a full resto on my truck, I decide to upgrade the brake system using readily available, inexpensive off the shelf parts.

HERE WE GO:

The first thing to do is remove the stock master, along with the single line down to the first Tee.

The one on the left is the stock (obviously)

Now the one the right is a NEW drum/drum master I picked up at Kragens for under $30...I asked for a 67-70 IMPALA drum/drum car...non P/B....Can't beat the price !!!
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You then need to pick up some line and fittings. You can purchase straight lengths of line with end on them, or pick up the line and fittings seperate. I went to RoyalBrass (a local fitting store) and picked all the fittings and the line I needed to do the conversion...
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Two adapter fittings for the Master..four Inverted..one plug...and a union...


The master bolted up NICE
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[ChiefRocka]

Here's a shot at the R/F tee fitting....Located behind the crossmember under the frame rail:
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Disconnect the rear line...and plug the tee...then install a union on the rear line....
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Now, it's time to begin the bending. You will need a good quality bender to bend the lines. The black sharpie marks are guide marks used by me in conjuction with my bender. It has markings on the handle that you transfer to the tube, in order to determine where to start the bend.....Now start bending !!!
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[ChiefRocka]

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[ChiefRocka]

These reference pics show clearance of lines using a SB and Huggers:
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The new crossmember line can be installed with engine installed...these shot were taken when engine was out.

The front feed line was installed after the engine was in:
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The second line (pictured above) was ran down to the original first tee.

The push rod was also modified for this MC.

Pics to follow...

[TimE]

Hey, John, can you sticky your own threads??

[derider]

I saw the torch laying there. Do you heat the line a little to get a better bend. I am going to be doing the iin the next couple weeks. Thanks for the thread!

[kizer]

Nice work. Is it bad that I have literally 40 subscribed topics so I can find them later. This one included of course.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by TimE

Hey, John, can you sticky your own threads??

Sure can...and plan on it once I get this 'How-to' thread complete

Originally Posted by derider

I saw the torch laying there. Do you heat the line a little to get a better bend. I am going to be doing the iin the next couple weeks. Thanks for the thread!

I forget why the torch was there...but it was NOT to heat any line !!! Probably to loosen a rusty fastener.

Originally Posted by kizer

Nice work. Is it bad that I have literally 40 subscribed topics so I can find them later. This one included of course.

I have about that as well if not more !!!

[orange66fleet]

That is a very nice write-up with pictures, just wondering, what is the size of the tubing you used and what was the size of the existing tubing. You made it look easy, thanks for sharing.

[ChiefRocka]

I used the stock size tube which was 1/4".

Ask away all the questions you fellas might have....I will try to answer everything in this thread....as I will make a new one right before I "sticky" it.

[rcrahn]

Good thread. But is that billet I see on your engine?

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by rcrahn

Good thread. But is that billet I see on your engine?

Why yes it is........why do you ask ??

[rcrahn]

This is a huge step. Alert the media!
Project Rockabilly now has BLING!
There's a car show in Pomona on Sunday where more Bling can be acquired.....

[Alan's Classic]

Nice work John both on the truck and the brake line info.

[protrash64]

Good job on the pics and write up. I always think the shallow bends are the hardest....like the one behind the X-member. How do you usually make those?
Wrist power? My favorite, across the belly?

I also like the 1-John power pics.

[joe231]

nice write up brother-man!!!

Originally Posted by kizer

Nice work. Is it bad that I have literally 40 subscribed topics so I can find them later. This one included of course.

I was over 900 a few months ago..............deleted all of those...........now i'm back up over 400

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by rcrahn

This is a huge step. Alert the media!
Project Rockabilly now has BLING!
There's a car show in Pomona on Sunday where more Bling can be acquired.....

Uhhh...where have you been ?? Thats been on there since the start (??)

You going ?

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Nice work John both on the truck and the brake line info.

Originally Posted by protrash64

Good job on the pics and write up. I always think the shallow bends are the hardest....like the one behind the X-member. How do you usually make those?
Wrist power? My favorite, across the belly?

I also like the 1-John power pics.

Yeap across the belly...although in my case, I would be one Loooonnnnggg curve !!!

Originally Posted by joe231

nice write up brother-man!!!



I was over 900 a few months ago..............deleted all of those...........now i'm back up over 400 Attachment 438154

thanks Joe....


Not done with it yet...still need pics of the push-rod extension, which, apparently I never took (??)

[Barebones66]

Excellent thread

Very helpful

[kizer]

Ok, I'm assuming your using the port on the master farthest towards the grill as your front connection and the one closest to your firewall as your rear wheels right or am I backwards or are you going to tell me it doesn't matter?

[padresag]

It would be benificial to most to show what you used for a plug to plug that fitting in the frt tee. for the uninitiated they would have a problem with that ( knowing what it was, and inding a counterperson that knew)
ron

[padresag]

Originally Posted by protrash64

Good job on the pics and write up. I always think the shallow bends are the hardest....like the one behind the X-member. How do you usually make those?
Wrist power? My favorite, across the belly?

I also like the 1-John power pics.

'

you can buy a tube bender(not expensive), sandbag or you can find something which has the curve which you need and place the line on it and just slap the line with a flat piece of wood and form it around it. if you try bending it by hand you usually end up with a kink in it
ron

[slepysal]

man I got to get mine done!! Thanks John this will be a great help

[ol Curt]

Did you have to bench bleed the master or is that just done for power brakes?

[ol Curt]

Chief might have got tied up with something or hasn't been on. anybody else know about bleeding the master?

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by ol Curt

Chief might have got tied up with something or hasn't been on. anybody else know about bleeding the master?

All master cylinders should be bench bled regardless whether they are a manual or power.