Brake and Fuel Lines. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

darrel_s · 04-16-2002, 09:52 AM

Is it better to go ahead and by pre-bent fuel and brake lines, or "in theory" save alot of money by making my own. I've looked into the process and it doesn't look too complicated, but I'd hate to buy all the materials and learn that its a lot tougher to bend and flare tube than it looks. Opinions?

If I'm better off trying it myself, whats the best place to order the stainless steel tubing and tools?

If pre-bent is the way to go, is their anybody that has used the LMC or Inlinetube.com kits and were pleased with the product? Thanks

------------------
http://www.forsakenproductions.com/1971_K5

JimKshortstep4x4 · 04-16-2002, 10:21 AM

We prefer to bend our own lines because it does cost less and we can duplicate the lines with the springs on them like the factory did. I like to do lines and have done
(15) cars/trucks where all lines were replaced. I bought my double flaring tool from Eastwood and it has held up well. I have three benders of various radii and I do a lot of hand shaping as well. Bending 3/16"
and 1/4" lines is pretty easy. Bending 5/16"
and 3/8" lines is tough.

The double flares take some technique and you may have to redo a couple when you start out but it is possible to make them better than the ones on new lines with a little care. I have only made lines from the steel coated lines so I don't have experience with stainless which can be difficult to work with depending on the grade. If you are going to go with stainless, you may want to try flaring a small piece before making a decision.

Jim

darrel_s · 04-16-2002, 11:01 AM

Jim. Is stainless just a cosmetic preference or does it really have a longer life than standard coated steel?

I have heard tha stainless can be quite tricky to make flares on. Especially Doubled.

Where do you buy your tube?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 04-16-2002, 12:47 PM

Stainless is a better corosion resistant material but the coated material lasts a long time. A lot of the steel brake lines were still functional on the the 30+ year old trucks and that says a lot.

I buy my lines from my local AUTO Value store and I will usually buy the lines that are ready made but close to length and then
cut and flare them for the shorter runs. On the longer runs, (over 5 feet), I order coils of line so as to avoid any couplings.
I don't get my lines from Autozone because of the color, (I like the zinc plating), and theirs are olve drab). NAPA has a good selection, also but they are not very close to me.
If there are protective springs needed I get used stock from the local yard and clean it before painting.

I have never tried to purchase stainless still because I don't see the need for stainless in this application.

Jim

Woody · 04-16-2002, 12:54 PM

Hey Jim,

Are you removing the protected springs from old brake lines? Then cleaning & painting them before sliding them onto the new lines?

------------------
Woody
'69 Custom-10 Deluxe
Short Fleetside,Factory 350cid/TH400,A/C,PS,PB,Carpet
Coming soon 700R4, 350 Crate Engine, Pwr Disks...

**guyryan100** · 04-16-2002, 02:01 PM

I am planning to order from inlinetube.com in the next 2 weeks or so. Depending on your time frame, I will be glad to let you know how it turns out.

I am not sure how much $$ I would save if I had to buy the bending / flaring tools . . . that's partly why I'm buying the pre-bent lines.

I'm not going to use stainless, though. I figure the first set worked fine for ~30 years! :-)

darrel_s · 04-16-2002, 02:10 PM

Guyryan100. Definatly shoot me an email after you get them installed. Thanks

**Tim Christian** · 04-16-2002, 07:41 PM

I bought the stainless one from Inline Tube they fit prefect I also used there E-brake cables and they were GREAT also!

------------------
67 GMC Stepside(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
67 GMC Custom
67 Chevy C-30

04-16-2002, 09:52 AM	#1
darrel_s Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 212	Brake and Fuel Lines. Is it better to go ahead and by pre-bent fuel and brake lines, or "in theory" save alot of money by making my own. I've looked into the process and it doesn't look too complicated, but I'd hate to buy all the materials and learn that its a lot tougher to bend and flare tube than it looks. Opinions? If I'm better off trying it myself, whats the best place to order the stainless steel tubing and tools? If pre-bent is the way to go, is their anybody that has used the LMC or Inlinetube.com kits and were pleased with the product? Thanks ------------------ http://www.forsakenproductions.com/1971_K5

04-16-2002, 10:21 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	We prefer to bend our own lines because it does cost less and we can duplicate the lines with the springs on them like the factory did. I like to do lines and have done (15) cars/trucks where all lines were replaced. I bought my double flaring tool from Eastwood and it has held up well. I have three benders of various radii and I do a lot of hand shaping as well. Bending 3/16" and 1/4" lines is pretty easy. Bending 5/16" and 3/8" lines is tough. The double flares take some technique and you may have to redo a couple when you start out but it is possible to make them better than the ones on new lines with a little care. I have only made lines from the steel coated lines so I don't have experience with stainless which can be difficult to work with depending on the grade. If you are going to go with stainless, you may want to try flaring a small piece before making a decision. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

04-16-2002, 12:47 PM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Stainless is a better corosion resistant material but the coated material lasts a long time. A lot of the steel brake lines were still functional on the the 30+ year old trucks and that says a lot. I buy my lines from my local AUTO Value store and I will usually buy the lines that are ready made but close to length and then cut and flare them for the shorter runs. On the longer runs, (over 5 feet), I order coils of line so as to avoid any couplings. I don't get my lines from Autozone because of the color, (I like the zinc plating), and theirs are olve drab). NAPA has a good selection, also but they are not very close to me. If there are protective springs needed I get used stock from the local yard and clean it before painting. I have never tried to purchase stainless still because I don't see the need for stainless in this application. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

04-16-2002, 11:01 AM	#3
darrel_s Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 212	Jim. Is stainless just a cosmetic preference or does it really have a longer life than standard coated steel? I have heard tha stainless can be quite tricky to make flares on. Especially Doubled. Where do you buy your tube?

04-16-2002, 12:54 PM	#5
Woody Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Georgetown, KY, USA Posts: 631	Hey Jim, Are you removing the protected springs from old brake lines? Then cleaning & painting them before sliding them onto the new lines? ------------------ Woody '69 Custom-10 Deluxe Short Fleetside,Factory 350cid/TH400,A/C,PS,PB,Carpet Coming soon 700R4, 350 Crate Engine, Pwr Disks...

04-16-2002, 02:01 PM	#6
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 466	I am planning to order from inlinetube.com in the next 2 weeks or so. Depending on your time frame, I will be glad to let you know how it turns out. I am not sure how much $$ I would save if I had to buy the bending / flaring tools . . . that's partly why I'm buying the pre-bent lines. I'm not going to use stainless, though. I figure the first set worked fine for ~30 years! :-)

04-16-2002, 02:10 PM	#7
darrel_s Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 212	Guyryan100. Definatly shoot me an email after you get them installed. Thanks

04-16-2002, 07:41 PM	#8
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	I bought the stainless one from Inline Tube they fit prefect I also used there E-brake cables and they were GREAT also! ------------------ 67 GMC Stepside(UNDER CONSTRUCTION) 67 GMC Custom 67 Chevy C-30



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