Thread: making brake lines

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I have a roll of 1/4 stainless tubing, I bent my first piece to go from my master cyl to port valve. Now I need my brass 1/4 tube x 3/16 thrd and 1/4 tube by 5/16 thrd. The prob was all the parts stores only have a small box of chicken chet fittings that are all the wrong sizes. Summit has a bag of fittings for 1/4 tube, I guess that will work, i need to call and see exactly what sizes are in the bag. Is that the best place to get fitings? I really had to laugh one parts house guy (the owner) would not even let me look in his fitting box because he told me that modifying brakes was against the law.
Anyway I may just buy a roll of 3/16" stainless tubing, I was a little concernd with the id of the 1/4" tube it is much smaller than the 3/16" steel, does this matter? I know it would prob make a difference on a larger truck towing and using brakes often, less fluid in the line may heat up and lock. What is the best size line to use for a street car?????????????????????

Brake lines are something I don't play around with.........I have mine professionally done by someone like Inline Tubes or Finelines. They will properly flare the ends and use whatever size ends you request. Cost isn't bad at all.

BTW, you mention copper. I could be wrong, but I don't think you want anything copper near a fuel system, only steel or stainless steel.

Don

I make all my own lines, I can't do a good double flare every time! I have both bubble & double flares on my VWAC trike (German used a bubble). I always use 3/16th line to match factor flow. I bend up my lines, and then cut it where it needs to, and then take them to Bumper to bumper machine shop a couple of blocks from me, and they flare all my lines as long as I buy it there. They are the same price as any where else I've looked.
Most people can flare a double flare without a problem. I can't every time, and I don't like to keep cutting it off, and trying again.
Pat

I don't see where he said anything about copper, or fuel lines?

You don't need brass fittings of any type. The steel nut on the stainless hard line screws directly into whatever component you're plumbing. What you need can be seen in this link......

http://www.chevelles.com/tools/tl4.html

Whoops, I meant to say brass.

Don

The metal tubing I have is on a 50' roll, it has no fittings. I do need the fittings to slide on prior to flaring.

Originally Posted by chevydrivin

I have a roll of 1/4 stainless tubing, I bent my first piece to go from my master cyl to port valve. Now I need my brass 1/4 tube x 3/16 thrd and 1/4 tube by 5/16 thrd. The prob was all the parts stores only have a small box of chicken chet fittings that are all the wrong sizes. Summit has a bag of fittings for 1/4 tube, I guess that will work, i need to call and see exactly what sizes are in the bag. Is that the best place to get fitings? I really had to laugh one parts house guy (the owner) would not even let me look in his fitting box because he told me that modifying brakes was against the law.
Anyway I may just buy a roll of 3/16" stainless tubing, I was a little concernd with the id of the 1/4" tube it is much smaller than the 3/16" steel, does this matter? I know it would prob make a difference on a larger truck towing and using brakes often, less fluid in the line may heat up and lock. What is the best size line to use for a street car?????????????????????

I'm not sure what you are looking for. You have two sizes in the master cylinder that you are looking for fittings? NAPA has 3/16 tube with standard fitting at one end and a bigger fitting (1/4 inch standard fitting)at the other end that should work. There is also an adapter that goes from the standard 1/4 inch size to the standard 3/16 size (all inverted flare for brake lines). Try these guys, maybe they have what you are looking for. I see they have a 5/16 x 3/16 adapter. Look under inverted flare auto fittings. I've bought from this company and products and service are first class.

http://www.fittingsandmore.com/

1/4 inch tube smaller than 3/16???