Brake Lines (Hard Line)

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Wed Aug 05, 15 1:25 pm

Gents,

I know you can get remanufactured sets from the USA ala:
http://www.classictube.com/power-disc-1 ... -2032.html

Issue being its $180 plus the ride and HMRC. So not sure I want to spend another £150-200 when I cant afford it.

Via various net researching it seems that most of the hard lines on most Mopars are 3/16"........Is this correct?

Now I can obviously use the existing hard lines as a template for bending/routing etc. Are the connections at the ends re-usable (can I take old ones of old pipe and put onto new, plug and play style)?

Do the sizes of these fittings differ or are they all say 9/16 for example (if I wanted to purchase new)?

Cant seem to find the answer online anywhere?

Thanks,

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Wed Aug 05, 15 1:28 pm

Forgot to ask.

Most of the reman stuff from the states is stainless or mild steel.

Most places recommend copper (or Kunifer to be precise).

What would you guys recommend routing in......leaning towards Kunifer as best of both worlds atm?

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Wed Aug 05, 15 1:39 pm

I did all of the lines on mine - modern pipe is surprisingly bendable - in many cases the tool just gets in the way.

I got my whole lot from a company called 'automec' - they are awesome. Wasnt expensive - they send you new pipes, fittings, everything - tailor made for your car. Tell 'em what your car is, they look it up and bag it up as a kit - you just bend and flare. Yopu can route wherever you want then. Only reuse the old if they dont have it. Cost is negligible.

The bit you REALLY need is a DECENT pipe flarer. Not the screw on type, a proper vice-mounted, die fitted, lever sprung double flarer. Makes the job so easy with proper quality seals. I borrowed one from someone on here or they are £100ish on ebay. Worth EVERY penny.

So - 1) Automek 2) Pipe flarer. Do it !

PS - I also bought some line braiding - like a coiled spring that protects the pipe. I felt it was worthwhile. Spray it with clear goop while new and its stay protected forever. Will outlive us. (will find pic)

Dave999 · Post by **Dave999** » Wed Aug 05, 15 1:56 pm

I have a cheap pipe flarer and its Bananarama!

Dave

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Wed Aug 05, 15 3:32 pm

Automec in Buckingham are superb, they didn't have a Mopar B body set in stock so they asked me to drop off all the pipes and they reproduced them exactly (apart from the spiral armour) and now have the template on stock for Road Runners, Coronets, Chargers etc.

If you are doing a 100 point resto, best to import a set though!

latil · Post by **latil** » Wed Aug 05, 15 4:01 pm

You need specific pipe nuts,there is no plain section before the thread starts. You'll see what I mean when you get an old one off,same thread as a lot of old Brit stuff but different design.

RW71 · Post by **RW71** » Wed Aug 05, 15 6:37 pm

Yep, +1 for Automec, top service. They copied my old pipes, turned out great.
http://www.automec.co.uk/

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Aug 05, 15 7:00 pm

All your hard lines are 3/16", yes you can re use the nuts, no they are not all the same size. When removing the old lines chop 'em off as close to the nut as poss and then remove the nut with a six sided socket. They shouldn't round off and could then re use them. I use 2 benders, one does swept bends, the other very tight. You can bend kunifer by hand if you're careful, but it usually looks neater with a bender. You are wasting your time with anything but a good quality bench mounted flarer. The cheap ones are frustrating to use and give poor results or just plain don't work, take it from me I've flared hundreds of brake pipes over the years!

latil · Post by **latil** » Wed Aug 05, 15 7:05 pm

I've got my trusty Sykes Pickavant flaring kit in it's tin box.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Aug 05, 15 8:42 pm

My local car parts vendor sold me steel pipe and then also flared the ends for me. Which was nicest was easy to bend without special tools too.

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Wed Aug 05, 15 9:48 pm

Morgan, thanks for the detailed reply!

Thanks chaps for your recommendations and input!

I'll give automec a call!

challenger · Post by **challenger** » Wed Aug 05, 15 10:19 pm

dave, i can get you the pipe and make them start to finish ?? ive just redone all the rears on that gtx which is due to be finished this week

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Thu Aug 06, 15 1:33 pm

challenger wrote:dave, i can get you the pipe and make them start to finish ?? ive just redone all the rears on that gtx which is due to be finished this week

Yes mate........this kind of follows on from our discussion at the NATS about fuel lines. I'm planning ahead at the mo and will discuss with you when I drop in.

Should have the car sorted soon Jim, so will drop you a line!