The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Brake Lines

Has anyone gotten the pre-bent brake lines from the various vendors (American Classic, Chevs of the Forties, et cetera)?

If so, how did they work out? Would you recommend them, or should I just go down to the local parts store and buy the lines there and bend them myself?

I,ve always bent them myself but you need a good double flare tool. They are seldom the right lenght. Saves a lot of money. If you are going to show it the prebent probably look better.

I used Chevs of the 40s to order brake lines for my 37 truck. They are made for them by Inline Tube. I ordered stainless steel, they shipped me a set for a 36 which is different & won't fit. I called them to get this corrected, and got the correct ones that time, only not stainless steel. I was frustrated by the delays and told them I would keep the non stainless & have them refund the price difference to my credit card. They were very nice about it and that is the only problem I had with them.

Thanks guys!

I think I'm going to order the pre-bent lines. I've never bent my own lines, and I don't have a double flare tool. I think it'll be worth the extra cash.

I've done just fine with a double-flaring tool from...*gasp*...Harbor Freight. A few practice ends, and I can get them to seal at will.

I used Inline Tube for some lines for the rear of my project and am very happy with the price, quality and service.

If you are in a winter salt-spreading zone (rust belt) and you drive it daily, you might consider the stainless steel. I replaced my lines 6 years ago and one of them busted last week. Maybe I got a cheapo part? Considering the work to install the lines I might go with the SS
Jerry

brendanm720 What year Truck and where are you located? I have bent my own and you don't always need a flaring tool. That is to say if you can get the pre made ones in the right lenghts.

It's a '46 3600.

The lines that I have managed to get free seem to be flared. (except for the master cylinder. I'm still trying to figure out how THAT worked...



I'm in Northwest Lower Michigan. I can get the "raw" brake lines locally, but I've not been able to find a parts place that has some bent already.

I was kind of thinking maybe I'd go with SS, but I don't plan on driving it very much in the winter.

Actually, I probably won't until I can find (or make) a heavy-duty weight for the rear end. Rear wheel drive in the slop around here is bad, and I don't want to make any more work for myself than is necessary.

I figure that normal steel with a good coat of tractor paint should be good for a while.

That would be a great option (and until recently, I didn't know that they existed) except that they do not have a line set for a 3/4 ton.

Thanks for the suggestion, though...

[looks at rubber brake hoses]

You can send in your old lines to Inline Tube and they'll make them in stainless. Just don't mangle them when you remove them.

Bob