The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Is there any practical difference?

I am preparing to do a complete replacement of all brake lines on my 1950 3100 truck, and I am wondering if I should spend the extra money and upgrade to stainless steel lines? I know that over time moisture will collect in brake fluid and that will cause rust in an original steel line. I just don’t know how bad the rust would be and how long it would take before it caused a significant problem? The lines on my truck are original and still function well. I just thought that while I was doing a complete brake overhaul complete with master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake shoes, and drums, that I would go ahead and replace the brake lines too. If anyone would care to share their opinion or experience with me I would appreciate it.

Stainless brake lines are a royal pain in the posterior to cut, bend, and flare, and so called "pre-bent" lines rarely if ever fit right without some serious tweaking. The copper/nickel lines with the funky green color are almost as corrosion resistant as stainless, and they're much easier to bend than plain old steel lines. fairly long radius bends can be made without danger of collapsing the tubing by hand without even using a tubing bender. Tight bends will requite a bender, but the tube is much more forgiving of slight errors than either plain steel or stainless.
Jerry

I second Jerry's comments and yes it is always good to just replace them on these old trucks. I think the copper nickel may be a bit softer and that is a good thing when trying to seal a flared connection.

I did not mind paying the price for stainless steel lines on my two 1954 trucks that will be inherited by my grandchildren.
I replaced all brake system parts at the same time.

The lines I received (in 2000) for my 1954 1/2 ton Suburban fit perfectly.
I did, however, "go overboard" and use DOT-5 silicone brake fluid (which means I cannot now easily change to regular brake fluid), and all brake system parts/rubber have been "silicone contaminated".

I'll have to flush the lines and change all rubber parts, when I change back to "normal" brake fluid before a die (maybe 15-20 years from now).

I had to send my 1954 1/2 ton hydra-matic pickup's lines/fittings to one of the ss line fabricators/sellers, after they sent me completely wrong lines (even though they said they knew about the H-M differences). These went together perfectly.

As far as time to failure of brake lines in Texas...............with even the slightest maintenance.........50 years on steel, 100 years or more with SS or NiCop. In salt or wet areas in everyday use.......cut the live span in 1/2. “Current” GM trucks with 20 years of use are well known for brake line rot.

Rubber parts in the brakes 15- 20 years but highly dependent on the original quality of the service parts.

I went with stainless tubing and fittings from Inline Tube, and while I haven't filled and tested the system yet to check for leaks, I didn't have any trouble at all bending, flaring, and plumbing in the system. A quality flairing tool is a must. My regular small rigid tubing cutters didn't have any problem cutting the tubing. Used a tubing bender for all the bends, imo you should always use a bender, and if you know how to use it should have zero issues creating an bend necessary to form with the chassis.

I think if you take the time with SS it really isn't all that hard. NiCop is cheaper though, easier to form, and will last just as long.

The site I found and have been surfing around on is Inline Tubing, but I’m open to other manufacturers. Their products seem to be of high quality. I don’t think they make a nickel-copper version but, now that several have recommended it, I’ll email them and ask. I think it would be the best of both worlds, and cheaper too. After having ruined a few $$$ worth of straight tubing trying to learn how to bend it, I’m sorry to say I’ll be shopping for the pre-bent variety. Thanks everyone for your opinions!

"The site I found and have been surfing around on is Inline Tubing, . . "

"Inline Tubing" or "Inline Tube"?

Classic Tube is another vendor of stainless steel lines.

You’re correct Tim, it’s Inline Tube.

I’ll check out Classic Tube as well. Thanks

about a month ago I contemplated the same thing for my 1954 1st. decided to go with classic tube and was very skeptical ordered complete stainless steel brake line kit. I think it came in about a week very fast! all line were labeled for location. took front left wasn't close took right front too long. scratched my head took and switched sides left to right &right to left fit like a glove. Told my wife they must have one of her relatives working there don't know left from right. all fit GREAT!!!!!! glad I went that route

I also purchased a set from inline , they work well

I have installed Inline Tube SS lines on a ‘49, ‘50, and a ‘52. Only issue was learning the importance of repetitive tightening and loosening and tightening of the flare ends to securely seat the SS flares to the inverted flare parts.
I do this on steel brake and fuel lines also, but is especially important with SS flared ends due to the stubborn nature of SS.

I used Anti-seize stainless steel grease on my second installation.

I wish I had thought about using that grease on my first job.

Even with the grease, gently/repeatedly tighten, loosen, and re-tighten the fittings (as described above by Carl, above).

I just placed my order with Inline Tube. Went with the steel lines instead of SS. We don’t get any snow here in south Texas during the winter, and the closest the truck will ever get to salt is if I drove it 175 miles south to Corpus Christi on the Gulf of Mexico. I bought their item # CTB4703, which is the bundle that includes the entire set of replacement brake lines. I added a set of 3 rubber brake lines and junction block, and a set of mounting clips. With the 5% online discount and shipping the total came to $238.98 which I thought was reasonable. I’m looking forward to getting it all installed soon.

I ordered new fuel pump-to-carb fuel line at he same time I ordered the new brake lines, and nstalled the new fuel line this evening and it fit perfectly. The bends were exactly like they should be and after 3 “tightening-loosen-tightening” sessions it never leaked again. Looking forward to getting the brake system refurbished as soon a I have a free weekend.