The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline ’52 3100 Front Brake Hoses

I am having an issue with the drum brakes pulling to the left on a hard stop. I’m trying to replace the front hoses and am having difficulty in getting the correct hoses. I went to my local NAPA dealer and was given NAPA part # UP 4900. The end that screws into the wheel cylinder is correct but the inlet side that the brake line screws into, is too big. My brake lines are 3/16” with 3/16” male inverter flare (3/8”-24). The NAPA hose is 7/16” female inverted flare 7/16”-20). The old hose has a 3/16” female inverted flare (3/8”-24).

I checked out retail stores and several online venders and they seem to match the same specifications as NAPA. The only vender that I found that had a sufficient description and had the correct hoses was Classic Parts. others like Chevys of the Fortys and LMC Truck may be correct, but there was no discription.I may have to order them, but I have a NYS inspection scheduled for Thursday and wanted to correct the issue.

I’m taking the old hose in to NAPA tomorrow to see if they can match one up, but I was hoping some other ‘bolter found what I am experiencing and can give me the correct part number.

P.S. Autozone and Advance Auto didn’t even have listings for any ‘52 Chevy parts.

I bought AC Delco 18J3815 hoses from RockAuto, but they have the same brake line end threads as what you're finding. It wasn't an issue for me as I was building new brake lines, so just used the matching fitting. I can't be sure because they're gone now, but I believe the original hoses were the same. Do you have enough brake line that you could cut the flare off and get the larger thread fitting?

Phil, the Classic Parts of America hose 71-307 should be correct. says: One end 7/16"-24 and other end 3/8"-24. Total length is 18".

They have a 71-305 that Napa could have given you. It's tricky, but you can see it misses 1952 1/2T.
"Fits 36-50 1/2 ton front & rear, 36-54 3/4 & 1 Ton Front and Rear and 55-59 3/4 & 1 Ton Rear. Both ends 7/16"-24. Total length is 16 1/2"

Always a good idea to buy from vendors who specialize in our trucks. Napa programmer/buyer missed this application gap.

The one Kevin mentions at Rockauto may have worked but it's application is not for 3100 front and the threads don't match what you say. Go with 71-307.

Kevin, that end has a reverse bend approximately 135°, very close to the fitting, so I can’t put on a new fitting. I may be able to find an reducing adaptor to work in the meantime. I’m headed to NAPA to see what they can do for me.

Thanks bartamos for confirming my suspicions. I strongly suspect, the solution will be to order the ones from Classic Parts.

My understanding was that all three hoses for the 3100 were the same, which is why I did that. I'm pretty sure I saw that somewhere. They seem to fit fine.

Phil, I haven't seen an adapter that would go from reverse flare to reverse flare. But they might exist. A short section of tubing might do the trick, although it would be hanging out there and may flex too much.

Good luck.

You are correct Kevin. The same hose fits the two fronts and the one rear. 71-307 or equivalent.

I have an old Napa catalog with pictures & sizes. It looks like part # 11146 matches the fittings & is 17 7/8 long. Part #,s 5784 & 36801 have the same fittings & are 16 in. long.

George

I’m not going to take any chances jury rigging the hoses. There is too much riding on it working properly. I ordered three new ones from Classic Parts. In the meantime, I’m installing the old ones but I’ll swap the drivers for the passengers side, to see if that is the culprit.

I did go to NAPA today and they were no help. Thanks Kevin and bartamos for your advice!

Yeah, don't cut corners with brakes.
NAPA being no help is no surprise. When I needed a single brake line for the MC to first division block, their website had a ton of different choices, but none of them gave the length. Kind of a critical piece of information. There's only one guy at our NAPA that knows what he's doing.

When I was at NAPA, we looked at that hose. The end that goes into the wheel cylinder was too small. The thread size on the the original wheel cylinder is 7/16”-20. I’ve posted the specs on part 11146.

Thanks for looking for me anyway!

The original wheel cylinder is 7/16-20 ????? Wonder why the Classic hose is 7/16-24. I hope it's a typo on their part. Maybe their wheel cylinder is 7/16-24? Hope I didn't give you the wrong scoop.

I’m pretty sure it’s a typo. We’ll find out soon. It’s supposed to be delivered tomorrow, on a FedEx Sunday delivery.

Just received my hoses and the side that screws into the wheel cylinder measures 7/16”-20 TPI, so the Classic Parts description is wrong.

The other end has the correct description, 3/8”-24 female inverted flare.

So, bartamos, your off the hook! LOL

Whew!