judging a brake line

I have the floor of my '54 chevy cut out right now and in the process of getting the new floor pan fit I keep looking at that old single pot master cylinder and the rusty break lines and fittings coming off from it and thinking that I should upgrade to a dual master. Now I've been researching it and think I've got it figured out how to do the conversion but my question is...should I replace all the brake lines also? They are rusty on the outside and the fittings look kind of rusty too. Or am I just being a little paranoid? Is there a way to tell if they are bad? I know it's not a lot of money but I'm coming to the realization that I work SLOW! and the brake lines might take quite a bit of time for me to get done

 

Stopping is one of, if not THE, most important thing your car needs to do.

Lines are not very expensive, certainly not expensive enough to compromise that level of safety.

If there is a doubt, there is no doubt!

Replace them...

 

better safe than sorry. if there is any question in your mind that they might need replacing, do it. and remember its easier to do it right the first time than to have to rebuild the whole car because you couldnt stop before hitting someone at a red light.

 

Lock the thread now! The above advice is as far as need to go!!!!

 

You may also recuperate slow..........from your injuries in the accident!

nearly 60 year old brake lines, and rubber hoses, absolutely need replacement.

While I commend you for upgrading the mastercylinder, it's is no more effective that the lines carrying the pressure it produces. You know the old adage..."a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link".....that definitely applies here.

Ray

 

Thanks for the reply. I understand that stopping is important and expected a reply like this. I guess my question is can you tell if they need replacing? If we all followed the above advice everytime the brake lines got some rust on them, we'd replace them but that just doesn't seem practical or necessary.
For example, when any of you buys a car and decides not to tear out all the old brake lines and replace them, how do you make that decision?

 

you just have to use your best judgment. do YOU think those lines will stop you if you need them to? or if you have a car load of family with you? if there is any doubt then replace them

 

Good advice. I only asked because the majority of the lines look very good. Like they've been replaced once in the cars life at least but in some spots where moisture can get trapped there is some surface rust. I was 90% sure I would replace them but was just wondering if there was a sure way to tell.
Does anyone know, in general, the amount of pressure that is developed inside a brake line during a full-on 'panic stop'?

 

The rust on the outside of the liones is only half the story. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, neaning it absorbs moisture. The rusty insides of wheel cylinders and master cylinders is not limited to those parts. the lines carry the same contaminated fluid.

Replacing them is not all that difficult. They are available pre-made in various lengths and you can use 'union' fittings to join sections. With some careful planning, and a little luck, you may not even have to flare ends of the lines yourself. But, even if you do, look at it as learning a new skill. Also, buy a decent tubing bender...it will really be a handy device and will prevent kinks on tighter bends and the results will be very professional looking.

're your last question........900 to 1000 lbs pressure is possible in a panic stop.

Ray

 

the brake system should put out a 1000-1200 psi. if it were me with the cost of lines i would do them over. but if i saw any scale at all i would surely do them over. it depends on your idea of light rust.

 

Makes me wonder why they didnt make stainless break lines factory.That would make a nice safety feature. Todays chemicals for snow removal Newengland KILL ANYTHING METAL!!!!

 

here is my theory. if i am replacing the master ill replace the lines. if i have to replace the wheel cylinders on something i will replace the lines. if the flex lines need replacing...ill probably replace the hard lines. as it has been said. they are not expensive, better safe then sorry. if they have never been replaced since (and you may not know it or not) since 54...they should be replaced.

 

That ain't no fun... I predict the following before it gets locked: The Top 10:

1. There will be 153 posts.
2. Of which, 6 will result in name calling.
3. There will be 4 munching-on-popcorn gifs posts.
4. 15.3 (10%) of the posts will be duplicates, ver batim.
5. 8 posts will be full of advice to keep the single master and rebuild it.
6. 5 posts will be about residual valve bickering.
7. 4 posts will be about a clogged brake hose.
8. One poster will be banned.
9. Some FNG with 2 posts (and no intro..) under his belt will cut and paste some diatribe from a publication unrelavent to the issue.
10. Pork n ****** will set everyone straight.

Bob

 

ha ha @ Bob.

as for the question at hand, you will need to replace most of the lines anyway when you do the dual master cylinder.

get a quality flare tool like from Rigid and new lines will be a piece of cake.... unless you prefer pie.

 

I'm a pie man, myself.
I will be replacing the lines. I have a decent flaring tool now but depending on cost, might spring for a new one for this job. I also have a tubing bender but with my limited practice it usually is just a tool of frustration for me.
We'll see. If I have to redo a few because I screw them up then I will chalk it up to practice.

Still waiting for '****** to set us all straight!

 

I'm doing the same thing to my 54 Stude Conestoga.
Dual outlet, remote reservoir, Wilwood mastercylinder.

I thought back and forth, about the lines and as some have said, change them..! When the fluid turns brown, that's from...water collection. Water causes rust to form in the lines that we don't see until it's too late and an "old" line splits open.

So yes, take the time, as I am going to, replace the brake lines.

Mike

 

If u upgrade to dual cyl. Then you will need to replace them anyways as they won't line up in the same spot as the single cyl
I say repl due to age and proper fit

 

not to hijack the thread. but what are you using for a remote res.? i just seem to find really expensive ones.

 

If I had an old car with rusty brake lines, cracked flex hoses, ****py master cylinder and wheel cylinders (and I have), I would just go ahead and replace everything. Yes it is a lot of work but not as much as trying to mickey mouse it and having to go back and do everything over.

For example, if you are replacing everything you can just cut the lines with side cutters and not fart around trying to get them to loosen up. Then take out the fitting with a socket wrench. This alone saves tons of time.

Brake lines are really cheap especially if you buy brake line in a 25 foot roll and make your own. It also allows custom fitting for length.

Flex hoses are only $10 to $20 apiece and there are 3 of them.

New wheel cylinders are so cheap they don`t even bother rebuilding them.

Brake linings, if they are real old, like 20 years old, can separate and fall off the shoes.

So yes, it can cost a couple of hundred $$$$ bucks and some work but when you are done your troubles are over for the next 10 years.

 

Unless you know the system has been flushed an a regular basis the inside
rust is more of a concern than the exterior that you can see and evaluate.
Once you have new lines you can flush as needed to keep the system clean
and only have to watch the exterior condition, or use stainless. There are
probably premade lines available for your model as well, though they would
not work for the upgrades you plan.

 

You cannot tell the condition of a brake line by the outside surface. I've had to replace several brake lines on my 93 Lightning P/U. I only replace each ruptured line because I'm not restoring my truck and I need to get on the road today. There was no visible rust. Still looked exactly like it did when it left the factory.

 

Whenever I inspect a brake line and deem it ok, I then put two feet on the brake pedal and two hands on the wheel and push as hard as possible.

(The line has burst in two different occasions) <O</O<O</O

 

I can tell from your description they need replacing. if they are rusty on the outside...they are probably rusty on the inside too. Any rust at all on a brake line and it should be replaced. Rubber hoses with cracking or hard and stiff should be replaced also. All of these parts are cheap. Its not worth the risk to not do it....especially now that its apart and you can't drive it anyway.

 

Thanks for asking this question Scott F. I am about to paint the frame on my '50 chevy project and was wondering the same thing. I am glad the info was here for me!Now I just have to price out some new lines...