The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline work so far and brake line Q

Hey Folks!

I've been gone for a while from the bolt, boy is it fancy around here now! Back in august I bought a 53 3100 5 window--I love it crazy.

Done so far:
Replaced Radiator and hoses (radiator rusted beyond repair)
installed AC blower
Replaced gas gauge (still not working dangit)
Replaced temp gauge (woo, worked 1st time)
Replaced valve cover gasket (still sticky from that permatex)
Mechanic replaced back brake shoes, grease seals, one cylinder

And just this weekend replaced the master cyl which blew after getting the other cylinder replaced. I got brake fluid in my mouth which was ridiculously gross. I hope I'll be fine. Haven't keeled over yet.

However, I broke the front left brake line doing it. Anyone know where i can get a pre-bent line w/out having to buy the whole kit? They're 150-200 online and since the main line was already replaced w/ what looks like stainless, I don't want to have to buy the whole kit. I guess the alternative if none are available is to buy a line and bend it myself which sounds like a PITA. Anyone know where i could get a pre bent front brake line?

I also bought a kit to rebuild my carboreator but after seeing all the pieces, I am now scared

Hope everyone is doing fine! Can't wait till my old girl is back on the road!

Sounds like you are in a big learning curve. The brake fluid you tasted is not a good thing, but I bet you will be careful next time. When you are under the truck just be sure nothing is in line with your face because of drips and dropped tools.There are so many AD trucks around you should be able to buy the brake line from a parts truck for a couple bucks. These old trucks are pretty simple and are a good learning tool, hope you continue to fix your own, it is really rewarding when you get it right. Both of my daughters got grease under their fingernails when growing up, and I think it was a good experience for them.

The tubes from the parts stores are easy to bend. The hardest part is getting the right length. They come in 10 in. increments. Like 20-30-40in. There is a 6 or 8in. & a 12 in I think. Sometimes you can get a union & put 2 together. Otherwise get a longer one then nessesary & have it cut & double flared to the right size. They come in 3/16 & 1/4 in. dia.

I did the same thing once, ended up just replacing all the steel lines...glad I did it

That'll teach you to work on the truck with your tongue hanging out of your mouth! It only helps in the movies!

If your concerned take out the broken line and bring it into a brake shop and have them bend/flare a new one for you. Its not really to hard to bend them yourself with the pre-done lengths they sell at the flaps.

Good luck, Jeff

Napa sells bendable line now. Its a greenish color and bends real easy with just your fingers, its suppose to be kink proof! I have used some of it and it works real easy. Joe

like jeff said

ANY steel line you buy at most any ''flaps (friendly local auto parts store)'' is easily bent w/ your bare hands. buy the length (from any AD catalog seller) or buy one close to it from any 'flaps'. make sure it's a double flare. fit it to your truck mark the length where you need it to go and take it to a brake shop. let the shop cut the line where they want so they will have enough tube to do what they do best - flare your dealiobobber, the double flare - their cut/flare end to fit your truck. this way you're not buying extra tools that you'll hardly use again.

this is how i made my entire system

If you can't find a pre-bent one, just get a line, a flare tool and the right size fittings. I've done both brake and gas lines that way, and they're still holding up three years later.

Wow this is all great advice. You guys are seriously the best.

And I DO have a big learning curve...I'm still knocking rust off of places right into my eyes. But I'm learning...slowly. Really, really slowly.

Oh, but...what does 'flare' mean? I mean...it has those little nut dealios on the end.

Am I confused (wait i know the answer to that one)?

I bent all my lines myself with an inexpensive bending tool. Now as far as flaring goes, there are many flaring kits around that are pure junk. I would think that you would have to spend well over $100 to get a kit that works. That is why I gave up on the flaring and bought the pre-flared tubes.

I assume that the line that is broken goes from a block on the right side, across the front cross member and along the frame to terminate on the left hose. That may be quite a challenge to fit in but i know that you can do it!

I wrote a Tech Tip on flaring brakelines.

I disagree that you need an expensive tool. The cheap tool will do just fine to do one or two trucks over your lifetime.

Cletis your tip saved my $20 flaring tool from getting tossed in the scrap heap!

Takes a little more time then (Im guessing) the expensive tool, but what the heck, more $ for the truck!

GirlDriver, you may try Inline Tube. They make most of the prebent kits that the suppliers sell. Possible they might be able to just sell you the line that you need. Their website and phone # is inlinetube.com and 800-385-9452.

Kent Butler
'56 Chevy 3100
Houston, TX

Hi Girldriver, The "flare" is the bell shape on the end of the line that hold the little nut dealios from slipping off the end. Since we are dealing with the most important safety item in your truck and the "flare" is a double (which makes it more difficult), I would like to suggest that you get it done professionally. Measure the line, cut a little longer than necessary, and sweet talk a local brake shop into doing it for you-- it can't cost very much and the peace of mind is worth it.
Sounds like you are learning fast and having fun-- that is great and everybody gets some help sometime so don't worry if you can't do 100% of the work.
Take care &have fun.

here you go pre-bent and flared original replacements

http://www.truckandcarshop.com/trucks47_59/t47_073.html