The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts source for front brake hoses on 1959 8503

I have made progress on my brakes. New hydrovac, rebuilt master cylinder, new front wheel cylinders and still no front brakes. It turns out the flexible brake hoses that go from the frame to the front wheels are both clogged. I tried to find matches at the local hydraulic hose maker and at the auto parts store. I tried to "snake" the hoses clean to see if they would get me by until I can find a source. My closest O'Reilly said that one of their stores 40 miles away could make hoses but I have not been able to make it there yet.

Of course the people at the parts store want to know year, make and model before they help you with anything. And when I say 1959 Chevy 2.5 ton truck they immediately say no. These hoses may be standard for other vehicles but I don't know which vehicles that would be.

The fitting at the end that attaches to the frame has outside and inside threads. The outside threads are for a retainer nut that just holds it to the frame, the internal thread receive a copper (brass) "T" fitting on the drivers side and an elbow fitting on the other. The other end other hose is male threaded and attaches to the top wheel cylinder. I don't know the threaded dimensions on either end but I am pretty sure they are the original ones.

any help providing the proper part numbers or anything that may help me find replacements would be appreciated.

I am "This Close" to getting to drive this thing!

If you find someone that does hydraulic hoses. All you need is length and what fittings. Bring old hose or it's mating components or find a fitting of any kind that screws into the component so you will know what to call the threads or show them what fits. Then return the fittings back to store for refund. Does not matter to a "hoser" what it's for. Look up a hydraulic hose place near you that does hoses for construction equipment. They have all the hose, fittings and a good crimper. The chances of finding a new stock hose for your truck is zero. NOS will be old dried out rubber. No good. I have had situations like that and have determined the thread size (usually standard sizes) and the length and then searched and searched O'Reillys website looking at different vehicle's brake hoses and found what would work. Reused the loose fittings such as "T's" elbow's, etc. Takes a few days to find, looking at rear hoses and front hoses.
Example: 1960 C30 Chevy truck shows front and rear hoses with 7/16-20 and 7/16-24 threads. These are pretty standard threads used. Most hoses are retained to the frame with a clip, you may be able to do this also instead of the external thread. It just sticks thru a hole in the frame and a clip is inserted into the groove. Drill a new hole if you have to.

Bartamos posted good advice.

Here is how I obtained all the hoses for my 54/55 GMC 350 (vacuum for hydrovac, and vacuum for speedometer-2-speed-ratio-selector, and vacuum for 2-speed rear-end selector, and oil filter lines):

I found a northeast company, Omni Services, and they tried to match all my hoses, but most/all the fittings were odd.

The manager said he would make "new" hoses from my fittings: cut and then weld the threaded-end to a new barb hose fitting (silver soldered I think). The cost was incredibly low (around $15 for each hose, including the two new barb-hose fittings).

Vac hoses, oil line and brake hoses are different. Barbed fittings probably not OK for brake line. I know that TC is not necessarily suggesting that. Just making sure poster is aware.

You are right, Bartamos, not the brake-fluid lines/hoses - the brake hydrovac vacuum lines/hoses.

It is good to correct/clarify this - thanks.

There is a company, Classic Tubes, in Loveland CO that can make you the lines, not rocket science.

I did not think it would be hard for a shop that specializes in hydraulic hoses. But the one here said they did not have the right fittings for the ends. I will try to locate another hose shop and see what they have to say.

I think it would be a standard hose if it wasn't for that end that has both internal and external threads. The exact specs for the external threads is not important as long as I can find a nut that fits it to snug it up to the frame. I guess that just keeps it from rubbing and wearing where it passes through.

You need to find a full service old time parts store not a chain store that hires people that know nothing and can not find parts for anything past 10 years old.

On Long Island there is still at least one auto parts store that was opened in 1948 and the sons and grandson still work there and know the old autos.

I brought down my old brake hoses from my 1946 2 ton and the grandson, age 40, made up three new brake hoses while I waited.

My shop did not have the "right end fittings" they used my end fittings and welded them to new standard barb ends.

Don't know how close the nearest NAPA is but they had hoses for my 53 COE over the counter.

Geo

I will check napa on monday, its not far away. Thanks.

Hy Gene_Spartan80, I just got back from the A.T.H.S. convention in York Pa.. The front brake hose for your truck is Raybestos p/n BH25664 $27.79 at RockAuto, at Napa the p/n is UP25664 $12.79, I don't understand the difference in the pricing as RockAuto is usually cheaper, hope that helps.

3B, that is exactly what I needed. I knew it existed but could not find it in my page-by-page internet search of brake hoses on the auto parts store sites. I guess I gave up too soon. I will be at napa when it opens in the morning. Thank you for this, hopefully I can be of assistance to you someday.

I did a quick google search and found this company...I don't know anything about then but looks like they might be able to make them for you.

http://jpmhydraulics.com/

Mike B

Once I had 3Bs part number I looked it up on rock auto and it listed the applicable trucks it would fit. it listed several chevy and gmc trucks. These are good to know when the next hard-to-find part comes along.

I found out why I did not find it in my searches. When I searched I put in the 3G truck thinking it would be the most likely candidate. However that was the one truck not listed for this hose. I pick mine up at Napa tomorrow first thing. $13 each is pretty good.