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Brake line - stainless

2.9K views 14 replies 4 participants last post by  Shua57  
#1 ·
Does anyone know how many feet of brake line is on a 57 sedan so I can order my stainless?
 
#3 ·
All of it. Most places I find sell in 20-25 ft rolls. Terry, what flaring tool did you use. Thanks for any info you can give.
 
#4 ·
I think I used about 16 feet of 1/4" stainless, 3-4 feet across the front and rear crossmembers, and 7-8 feet along the side. I haven't gone up to the MC yet, and will probably use hose for that. I bought straight sections, not rolls. I used a 37 degree Ridgid flaring tool and a Parker or Imperial bender. All of mine uses AN -4 fittings.
 
#5 ·
Terry, I thought it was odd that they rolled stainless tubing. The web site said it was 304 SS and as easy to bend as regular metal tubing. Another web site that sells it straight (Inline tubing I believe) said they do 180 degree bends every 6 feet for shipping reasons. I was looking at the Ridgid flaring tool as well. Is yours part #41162 (the ratcheting one)? Most who use it say it is a very well made tool and works pretty easy. For $100 it better. Thanks again.
 
#7 ·
I bought the same 37Âş flaring tool, as well as a Ridgid 345-DL for 45Âş double flares.

Inline Tube sells all their stainless tubing in 20' lengths. 20' should do a whole car's brakes with some left over. They form it into an oval 4-5' long x 18"-24" wide for shipping. It straightens reasonably well.
 
#9 ·
I didn`t run stainless for the brake lines because it is hard as all get out to flare. I only used stainless for the fuel line. Don`t buy a cheap flaring tool or you`ll be wasting your money. I got my tubing from an oilfield supply and it was in 20ft. straight pieces.
Terry
 
#10 ·
Thanks for all the info guys, one more question, please. I was thinking of running all 1/4" tubing. I will have drums in the back for a while but will eventually change to disc. Is this wise and will I have to run smaller lines across the rear end to the drums? Use a tee fitting that goes from 1/4" to 2-5/16"? Thanks again
 
#11 ·
Line size doesn't matter. I used 1/4" for my entire brake system, with AN-4 bulkhead fittings and adapters where needed. Are you going with 37 degree flare or SAE inverted flare? I'd use the size of line that makes it easiest to plumb minimizing adapters.
 
#12 ·
I am going 37 deg. flare. Stock line is 5/16", correct? If so would I need a special female fitting that goes into the rear brakes or is the a standard fitting? It probably make since to just run 5/16" brake line. That would do as you are saying and minimize fittings. Thanks
 
#13 · (Edited)
I think the stock rear brake line is 1/4". If you are going 37 degree flare everywhere, you'll want to get inverted flare to 37 degree AN flare adapters for all your ports. They are readily available from Summit, Speedway, and a lot of other places. I'd use a -4 AN tee at the axle....at least that's what I did. :D

You can see my brake routing in this pic. I put a prop valve on the frame under the driver's seat that I can access from below. I also ran a line across the front crossmember, teeing it on the driver's side frame rail.

Image
 
#14 ·
Terry, I found a supplier in my state that just emailed me and price 316SS 1/4" O.D. .035 wall welded tubing for $1.98 per foot. Comes in 20ft sections. My question is that 1/4" O.D., is that correct?