Is there a way to replace the rear to front metal brake line in one piece w/out removing body? I bought a new line from Zip but can't seem to find a way to install it intact. It appears that perhaps it could be cut and re-coupled to make it install. My concern is it has been stored for 20+ and don't know what could have occured inside the line. It appears to be in good shape on outside with no noticeable growths or cracks. The line was not drained before storage began. I appreciate any knowledge you might care to share on the subject. Thanx- lib
No, the body has to be removed or the line split (probably into 3 pieces) and re-coupled after installing the pieces. The real difficulty is the area at the rear wheel frame kick-up. I haven't actually done a replacement with the body on, so I can't advise you exactly where to cut, but I'll email you a writeup I saved one time (from a post on the web) that describes how one guy did it.
If the old line looks fine, why not try blowing it out with air pressure and some clear carb cleaner? ... disconnect at the tank and at the fuel pump and clamp long fuel hoses on both ends that you can elevate a few feet to trap carb cleaner in the line line between air pressure blow-outs. Fill with carb cleaner, let sit for an extended period, blow it out... make sure you're not jeopardizing any paint finishes; I've buried one end of the line in a large box filled with crumpled paper towels, taped the box shut and put the box into a plastic bag to prevent any fluid escaping). Repeat several times until you're sure there are no obstructions and the fluid comes out clean. Since you don't plan on removing the body, you won't lose anything by trying that first
On further investigation, it appears that replacing the brake line on a 63 to 65 drum brake car is difficult to impossible with the body on, because the brake line runs along the top of the frame. It may be possible to use a later 66-67 brake line that runs on the inside of the frame rail rather than on top, but I can't guarantee the 66-67 brake line starts and stops at the exact same positions as the 63... in fact, I think the drum brake cars used a 3/16 line, while the disk brake cars used a
1/4 inch line... in fact, there are different junction blocks listed for various years (63-64, 65, 66, 67) and for differences in standard and power brakes on the 66 & 67... so not an easy solution.
If you don't see rust problems on the old lines, I'd be tempted to clean them as I described and continue using them, or, to fabricate your own line and clamp it on the inside vertical frame rail... the line you bought may be a good starting point but it will have to be modified with at least one or two short sections added to form the new routing.
An alternative, however, is be to proceed as if the body were going to be removed, by removing the mount bolts and other pertinent obstructions (steering wheel clamp, tranny linkage, speedo and tach cables, etc, etc), then lift only the left side of the body, just enough to change the brake line... still a real bear, however, and some of the mounts are very likely to be damaged in the process of removing them (especially the ones on the frame kick-up beneath the rear compartment carpeting).
Here is a thread > Woooops!!!!! Somehow I read brake line and then switched my
if you aren't hung up on originality, you might consider looking for a complete dual master cylinder conversion kit, which may not be any more difficult to install because it may not require you to raise the body, so for perhaps little more effort (but probably a LOT more money) you'd have a safer setup. Here's one vendor that appears to offer the parts for a conversion:
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They use the 1/4 inch lines for the main tube, so the front and rear junction blocks for that main line would also need to be changed, but I think the other lines remain the same, so it might work fine for drum brakes.
...that also means you can probably replace the 63 main line and it's two associated junction blocks with 67 parts and retain your original master cylinder, although you may need to find an adapter for the M/C to front junction block because that block may accept a 1/4 inch M/C tube rather than your 3/16 tube.
I do not th> On further investigation, it appears that replacing the brake line
No experience cleaning C3 lines but did clean out all the lines on a 911 that the prior owner contaminated with a mix of silicone and conventional fluids. Had to replace the proportioner valve.
Used solvents and pipe cleaner to 'scrub' the inside tubing walls. First threaded a small trimmer line through the tube... used that to pull heavy monofilament through. Tied the monofilament to a pipe cleaner and another monofilament to the other end of the pipe cleaner to pull it out backwards if we had an "oops.' Also provided for a little 'scrubbing' as we gained confidence that we weren't going to loose a pipe cleaner in the tube.
Used paint thinner for one pass, then a paint shop product called 'sill-off' (Dad may be able to correct the spelling or come up with a more modern product idea if you are concerned about silicone contamination.)
Nylon cored pipe cleaners were easier to pull than were the wire cored type. Gave most lines 5 passes, paint thinner in the final two passes. The pipe cleaners should tell you if you have a rust problem.
i did all the brake lines on my 72, its not all that difficult .it takes time but ive done more difficult jobs. its worth the sweat and busted knuckes// get some rust spray and tubing wrenches.
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