Brake line question.

[RTG_RACING]

I have manual 4 wheel drums. I need to know how the lines hook up from the master cylinder to the purporting valve. Like is it the front port of the cylinder to the top port of the valve?

Thanks

[FORDification]

First of all, in order to avoid confusion: unless you have front disc brakes, your truck doesn't have a proportioning valve, it's got a distribution block. Completely different part with completely different tasks.

Here's a picture of a drum-brake distribution block labeled as to the proper connections:


1 - Out to rear brakes
2 - Out to left-front brakes
3 - Out to right-front brakes
4 - In from rear master cylinder reservoir
5 - In from front master cylinder reservoir

(NOTE: The rear master cylinder reservoir feeds the front brakes, the front master cylinder reservoir feeds the rear brakes.)

[RTG_RACING]

Hey thanks man thats what i need.

[RTG_RACING]

another question. Why did ford coil the line up before the master cylinder?

[FORDification]

To absorb vibration. The master cylinder is bolted onto the cab, which is bolted to the frame via rubber bushings, so there's gonna be a little vibration there. Without that coiled-up line, they'd tend to get some metal fatigue and crack after a while.

[mrsnicks]

Dayum Keith, is there anything you don't know? I've been wondering about the coils myself, and was thinking about not doing them when I re-line my brakes after the disc brake conversion.

Patrick

[FORDification]

...I've been wondering about the coils myself, and was thinking about not doing them when I re-line my brakes after the disc brake conversion.

Patrick

You need to put those coils in the lines. You could probably get by for a while without them, but when it comes to the brakes, why take a chance? Without those coils to absorb normal vibration, they will fail...probably not for a while, but it'll eventually happen.

[RTG_RACING]

What is with the two different fitting sizes in the block and master cylinder? What size of lines and fittings do I need to get?

[fordman]

i am unsure on the sizes but it is just an easy way to make sure the installer doesn't cross the lines.

[FORDification]

All the lines are 3/16".

[RTG_RACING]

So where is a good place to get line. The standard 3/16 line i get at the zone the fitting is to small for the bottom port of the block.

[FORDification]

Pick yourself up a double-flare tool and just do everything yourself. Any 3/16" line will work. When I completely replumbed my truck I just bought the straight lengths of the pre-flared lines at the local auto parts store and cut the ends off. I then replaced it with the correct fitting (if the fitting was incorrect) or reused my old ones (as long as they weren't rounded off). If they need replacing, any auto parts store can fix you up with the correct ones if you take them your old one.

I was able to completely replace every line and every fitting on my truck for less than $30.

[MadMaxetc]

Pick yourself up a double-flare tool and just do everything yourself....
I was able to completely replace every line and every fitting on my truck for less than $30.

I got 3 differant flare tools and they where all crap. One from Summit, auto zone and Oreilys. I had a shop do the flares for me. it cost $25 to get all the flares done. I reused some of the old ends. You should get a good st of line wrenches, that make a HUGE differance. You can torque without worry of rounding the nuts off.