New Brake Lines

[marvin2]

I'm wondering if you guys could school me a little bit on brake lines. I've done some research and like what I've heard about Nicopp. I'll be attempting to flare and run all lines myself. Interested to know what size line, what flaring tool, connectors you used, and even the general routing you installed. I have the CV front end and an 02 CV rear (with disc brakes)...

I'm also open for thoughts on a master cylinder and brake booster setup.

Thanks guys!

[ultraranger]

I've always used steel tubing to make all my brake lines with. I buy 60" straight sticks of 3/16" diameter tubing from the parts stores to make my lines out of. It bends and double flares easily. Unless you're running the vehicle on salty roads or live near the Gulf/ocean, they should easily last about 50 years.

The standard fitting size for 3/16" brake tubing is 3/8"-24. (2) 3/8"-24 fittings will come on each stick of 3/16" brake tubing. If you need more 3/8"-24 fittings, most parts stores sell them individually. Ford also used 7/16"-24, 1/2"-20, 9/16"-18 and 5/8"-18 fittings on 3/16" diameter tubing. These specialty fitting sizes are generally NOT available through auto parts stores but, you can get them through Classic Tube.

I have an Imperial-Gould 45° flaring bar and yoke I've had since 1984. I've made a lot of double flares with it but, I pretty much retired it in 2009 when I bought a Mastercool 71475 hydraulic line flaring set --WAY better than my old manual flaring bar.

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDispl ... aQodBtIBOw

I have three Imperial tubing benders (the silver ones); one for 1/4" tubing, one for 5/16" and one for 3/8". My (black) 3/16" tubing bender is made by Rigid.



I used my Rigid 3/16" bender and the Mastercool flaring set, to make the lines to plumb up the brake system on my '69 F100, when I converted my truck to '77 F100 front discs, last year.

[marvin2]

Wow! Thanks for all the info and link to the tools!

The brake lines look great. What power brake and master cylinder combo is that?

[ultraranger]

Wow! Thanks for all the info and link to the tools!

The brake lines look great. What power brake and master cylinder combo is that?

Thanks.

My truck is a '69 F100 Ranger with the entire disc brake front suspension from a '77 Dentside F100. The booster is a Bendix dual diaphragm unit from a '75 Dentside F350 --I traded the wrecking yard booster in as a core for a newly rebuilt booster.

http://m.oreillyauto.com/mt/www.oreilly ... &ppt=C0066

The MC is a brand new unit for a 1995 Ford Explorer I bought from NAPA (metric bubble flare ports/fittings -- M10 x 1.0 and M12 x 1.0). The MC has a 1-1/16" bore diameter.

http://m.napaonline.com/parts/PartsDeta ... 0498091275

The disc/drum brake valve is an OEM NOS item for an '84 Ford Bullnose F150 that I bought off eBay (Ford number E4TZ-2B257-B).

[dailyf100]

I HIGHLY recommend the NiCopp line. I just did my brake system with it and it is incredibly easy to cut, bend, and flare. I used the Eastwood flaring tool to do mine. Bought a 25 ft coil off of ebay. American made as well. You can easily straighten it by hand; no need for a de-coiler.

[Madman]

The Eastwood Flaring Tool is the SHIZSAT (aka-Really Good). It makes the process simple, and if you intend to do many brake lines in your future, is worth every penny.