by "My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
Published 02/10/2017 at 21:08
by "My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
Published 02/10/2017 at 21:08
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So oppo. Still no progress, but I am doing some reading and getting everything together for when the weather breaks (no pun intended)
I already have two totally sucky jobs to do lined up (first time engine rebuild, ancient rusty suspension overhaul) and most certainly I should do all new brake lines because this car has enough rust on it to give godzilla tetanus. The lines themselves *appear* ok, but I have had failures on much newer cars than this. iz gettin dun.
Should I buy pre-bent lines? NPD has a full set
https://www.npdlink.com/store/products/C_4685_11-115898-100.html
(not sure if that includes soft lines, I kinda doubt it) for 200$. Stainless steel, so one-time replacement. I am already expecting alot of hassle. Is it really worth my time to do this? How much can I honestly save by buying a bunch of line and bending it?
Come spring, the trans am will come from it’s cocoon like a beautiful butterfly.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
02/10/2017 at 21:32, STARS: 2
Not having to bend or flare lines is pretty awesome, but I always worry that they might be so long and complex that they can’t be worked into place while the car is in its fully-assembled state. I sure don’t want to have to lift an engine or drop a fuel tank just to replace a line. (Of course, that’s no big deal if you’re already in the middle of a frame-off restoration or something.)
For about $50 or less, you can get a 25' roll of nickel copper tubing (like NiCopp) and start making your own custom lines that will never rust. If you’re already familiar with the hassle of forming steel lines, lemme just say that NiCopp is a friggin’ cakewalk . It flares like a dream, and if you’re careful, you can even do some of the bending by hand.
"jovimon7" (jovimon7)
02/10/2017 at 23:07, STARS: 0
Buy the pre-bent lines. Bending brake lines to fit correctly and not look like a mess is not easy, also to flare the tubing on brake lines takes a special flaring tool that creates a doubled flare.
"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
02/10/2017 at 23:57, STARS: 0
I’ve done both. and each has their pro/con
pre-bent cost more, ussually fit perfectly
self bent; cheaper,never as good as
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/11/2017 at 01:59, STARS: 0
That nickel copper looks like great stuff. The question is whether a 25' roll will be enough. 60$ for materials makes that a much harder decision
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
02/11/2017 at 09:05, STARS: 0
25 feet might be enough, but I’m not sure what your application calls for. My truck took a combination of 3/16" and 1/4" line (3/16" to each front wheel, 1/4" feed to the rear, then 3/16" again from the axle tee to the rear wheels). But I’ve also worked on a car that had independent 3/16" lines going from the front to each rear wheel.
$50 per 25' coil is “the going rate”, but I get mine from eBay for less than $30/coil. ;) I’m usually able to clean & re-use the nuts, otherwise I just get them from the local parts store.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/11/2017 at 11:23, STARS: 0
Ahh. I always forget eBay. I haven’t measured the lines but the diagram shows just a single line to the rear, I guess I will have to measure. Damnit, that is just cheap enough to get my interest.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/11/2017 at 13:52, STARS: 0
You know what? I think I will buy the prefab brake lines, but do new fuel return lines with that copper stuff. That way I “learn” on something that isn’t mission critical and I can quit halfway through.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
02/11/2017 at 14:23, STARS: 0
Say, that sounds like a pretty good plan!
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
02/11/2017 at 21:00, STARS: 0
I’ve done a few cars with prefab and it’s always gone OK. Never included flex lines, I always just used Earls or Goodridge.
If you do go stainless, know that re-flaring and bending will be much harder than regular steel or nickle/copper.
Double flaring stainless is out of the realm of most cheap brake tool kits.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/12/2017 at 01:29, STARS: 0
I’m feeling like going prefab on the brake lines, since they are kinda important. That nickel copper stuff looks pretty good, I think I may fab my fuel return lines and save the money there. A good learning experience and if I mess up too bad I can always redo it some other time, unlike the brakes.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
02/12/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 0
Yeah, I think you will be fine with prefabs. Classic, Inline, and Fine lines all make good stuff.
Is yours a four wheel disc car?
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/12/2017 at 17:39, STARS: 0
Unfortunately it’s rear drums. Doesn’t have any of the performance options, it was definitely built for cruising.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
02/12/2017 at 17:46, STARS: 0
Well, that’s why I asked!
Not sure what’s in the budget but it may be worth pricing out discs just so you don’t have to buy the same parts twice. At the very least you’ll need a different master/combo valve and flex lines.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/12/2017 at 17:53, STARS: 0
I would love to, budget is shoestring this summer. Just going for engine rebuild, subframe connectors and bushings, and brake lines so I can drive it. Non replacement upgrades are going to wait until the bodywork is done.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
02/12/2017 at 17:54, STARS: 0
Gotcha. Did you pick out your connectors/bushings yet?
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/12/2017 at 18:00, STARS: 0
Pro touring f body looks good, just going for bolt in right now. Going to do poly bushings for reasons, not really sure on the company yet.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
02/12/2017 at 18:03, STARS: 0
PTFB makes nice stuff. Just as an FYI, solid bushings are recommended with connectors that are welded in.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/12/2017 at 18:08, STARS: 0
I’m getting their solid body bushings, going with poly everywhere else.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
02/12/2017 at 18:14, STARS: 0
That should really tighten things up! Good luck with it.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/12/2017 at 18:15, STARS: 0
Thanks. Hopefully nothing blows up.