Thread: Fitting Wilwood RPV to 3/8" flared line

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A long while back I ordered the majority of my brake parts/fittings from Speedway and at the time the guys knowledge was a life saver to me, but now it might be closer to a nightmare. The first issue is he gave me two T fittings, one to run the front lines and another for a pressure brake switch. Both have an NPT center which of course leaks. I had an extra T fitting with a rear end bracket with all flared ends so i cut off the bracket and used the T in the front - no leaks so now I need another for the brake switch I believe.

The bigger problem is I have a Wilwood residual pressure valve with 1/8" NPT ends with an adapter 1/8 NPT to 3/8 -24 IF, but what I am seeing now is that will not work. How do I use a RPV with 3/8" flared lines?? Do they make flared RPV valves?

So on top of brake fluid leaks all weekend I wasn't paying attention and completely stripped out the threads for my rubber hose into my caliper...not a good weekend

Fordcoupe, I am in the process of re-plumbing all of the hard brake lines on my truck. I converted it from a swing pedal brake firewall mounted booster and cylinder to a thru the floor master and clutch master cylinder. When I ordered my master cylinder and clutch master cylinder mount it came with residual valves for both the front and the rear brakes. A 2lb valve for the rear and a 10lb residual valve for the front, both of these valves are in fact "Inverted Flare" so they do make them.

If you need any pic's are the name of the supplier let me know. I am sure that you will find residual valves that take flared fittings as I have two of them.

Roland

Yes sir, the brand and or supplier would be helpful.

It seems Speedway sold me at least over $60 in fittings and valves that I don't need. I can't be too mad because I went in fairly blind, but when I am on the phone with tech, tell him what I am doing and he makes my list I don't expect such obvious errors from a tech at a respected company. I assume these RPVs with NPT ends are for AN lines? how exactly do they not leak for their intended purpose?

one more question. The proportioning valve is also NPT but it came with adapter fittings in it with a red sealer. It does not leak, but is this ok or do I need a new proportioning valve too?

Ford coupe, You know I am going to go out to the shop and take some pictures for you. All of this stuff is setting on the bench as I am installing it in the morning, so it will be easy to get some shots. I also have the proportioning valve there as well. It does have fittings screwed into it and they ( the fittings) are inverted flare, or should I say accept inverted flare fittings. I will get a shot of it as well.

Check back in a hour or so and the pictures should be up.

Roland

Did you put teflon tape or some kind of tread sealer on your (NPT) pipe fittings. Also, AN flares are at a different angle then conventional double flares. If you aren't aware, AN fittings are 37 degrees and regular conventional double flares are 45 degrees. Good luck.

Keith

OK Coupe lets see if I can post these pictures in such a way as to makes a little sense.

This 1st one is of the proportioning valve and the pressure valves.



This one is of the Proportioning valve at an angle to show that it is for inverted flared fittings. The fittings screwed into the valve itself have some type of epoxy sealer on them. It's clear in color but look close.My guess is that the valve itself is NPT and then the "sealed" fittings getting it to inverted flare.



Same valve other side....



Finally this shot shows the residual valve and its end, it is for an inverted flare.




Hope this helps some, heres a link to the company were I got all of this stuff hope they can help if you need it.

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/compa...r_systems.html


Roland

Originally Posted by blwn31

Did you put teflon tape or some kind of tread sealer on your (NPT) pipe fittings. Also, AN flares are at a different angle then conventional double flares. If you aren't aware, AN fittings are 37 degrees and regular conventional double flares are 45 degrees. Good luck.

Keith

31, I've got a question for you. is it OK to use teflon tape on brake fittings? The reason I ask is the fittings on the valve I showed have some sort of epoxy "looking" stuff it would seem that teflon tape would be easier. I simply dont know if its cool to use it in the brake system.

Roland

I am using all AN and NPT fitting. I have always used Teflon tape or some kind of liquid thread sealer on my NPT fittings. I have never had a leak.

Keith

Using teflon tape is fine for straight threads, but you want to use a liquid teflon on any tapered threads. I don't like using teflon tape on anything except plumbing under the sink, but that's me.
If you use tape on tapered threads the chance of turning the part too far into the hole can result in a crack.

As far as leaks, I posted this a couple weeks ago as I had a caliper leak: http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45964

Now, the question as to why 3/8" line? Also, are those lines double flared if regular steel brake tube. If they are SS, you really can't do a double flare without some really expensive tools and even then it should be a specially softened stainless. I purchased my entire 3/16" SS brake line and AN fittings from Inline Tube (http://www.inlinetube.com/) and of course got a few pieces that I didn't use. I also had to purchase the 37* flaring tool for the AN fittings. The Wilwood proprtioning and RPV's are from Speedway.

Using the large diameter stuff, while it will work, just adds a mass of extra fittings stacked up to adapt to the 1/8-3/16 brake cylinders/calipers, other line fittings and the prop and RPV's thus opening yourself to those pesky drips. My problem was easily cured after asking my question - it was a speck of dirt, but to date that was the only drip on the entire system.

I think he surely must be confused about the 3/8 tube---maybe he means that he needs a 3/8 wrench on the fitting

Well I am torn here because my proportioning valve came with sealed flared to NPT adapters and it works fine so I don't know if I should just use sealer on my residual pressure valves or get flared ones like I probably should have. Is just sealing NPT threads with liquid sealer perfectly acceptable or should I pay $50 bucks for more RPVs? . Hombre- thanks a lot for taking those pictures that helps.

31- so the wilwood rpv's when used with AN fittings just use sealer? If it works like that for AN I will probably just seal what I have.

sunset- it sounds like there is enough hatred for the tape that I will stear clear of it. thanks

Dave- sorry, I meant 3/16" lines...I just had 3/8" nuts on the brain from wrenching all day. Jerry you were correct.

thanks everyone!

Plumbing gets complicated---NPT, AN, inverted flare, double flare,37*, 45*, compression, etc

One of the best tips I give people is to use coat hangers to mock up for lines before bending them

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Plumbing gets complicated---NPT, AN, inverted flare, double flare,37*, 45*, compression, etc

One of the best tips I give people is to use coat hangers to mock up for lines before bending them

Coat hangers work well, but with the price of the standard 3/16" so low that I just make up the entire system without flares. I think for my '31 the cost of the dummy system added $20-$25 to a multi thousand dollar car.

And the mish-mash of fittings on a street rod - that could make a saint swear

My Wilwood Residual Pressure Valves didn't have any fittings in them when I bought them, since I am using AN fittings I bought an 1/8 NPT to -3 AN adapter. Put some thread sealer on the NPT side and screwed in into the RPV. I also purchased everything from Inline Tube like Dave did.

Keith