my dad is telling me to not do my own brake lines and take it to a shop to do it.....

right tools and any job will be just a matter of practice.... borrow tools and sometimes the lender will help show how to use them b3st good luck

 

i have to agree.the only fittings that should be used are inverted double flares.new tubing is east to do,just a little practice.
if i had the time i would do a youtube video on flaring and bending using traditional tools.

make it neat,secure and keep lines away from hot or moving parts.
any loops need to be laid flat as to not trap air-no vertical loops,period.
i have replaced hundreds of brake lines,and did the first one on my own.my dad passed away when i was 19 and he had no mechanical inclination,so im 100% self-taught.

you need to learn somehow.
when tighteng the nuts,snug,loosen,snug loosen a few times,it helps the flare seat in the fitting.

even high quality brake spring tools are inexpensive,and worth every single penny.i worked as a mechanic by trade for years and still have the first brake tool set i ever bought.

 

"you can do it"!!!!!

 

Yes, spend the $30 for a brake spring tool, safer and more skin left intact on your knuckles!

Here is one for $5 so you know what you are after.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...B7857C2C66F68D9693E392521FADFB9F16F9A&first=0

AND ALWAYS DO AS YOU DID AND LEAVE ONE SIDE COMPLETE FOR REFERENCE!!!!

GOOD JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

always remember ,

a Good mechanic will stand in front of his brake jobs

 

there are pre made brake lines different footage available... the 58 i built for pops has 2 going to the rear end seperated with a proportion valve. front is 1 into a tee and then goes to each side... get you a brake tubing bender and rest is history...

 

My old man wasn't much help, except to give me things to prove him wrong on, like doing brakes and brake lines. No magic, just thoughtful work. Good on you for persevering and proving him wrong. You will know pretty quickly if your flares are good when you get some pressure in the system.

Self reliance is so undervalued in this world - in 1929 when the great depression started, 90% of the population of the U.S. was self reliant - able to grow food, hunt, fix their own cars and equipment - and still like 7 million people starved to death. Now less than 10% of the population is anywhere near self reliant and we are not in good financial times and getting worse. Doesn't bear thinking about.

So seeing a young person who says "I can figure that out" and goes ahead and does it is very heartening. Keep going and do it yourself.

 

I think your dad's heart is in the right place thinking of safety but i bet he has not tried doing brake lines in years.They have a lot better products now.One is the old stuff was even hard to bend without a tube bender,and flaring then was even hard,if you were a little off you would toss it and start over.
Show your dad the new lines and how easy it is to do a double flair with todays tools and i bet he changes his mind.Also you can buy it in 25 foot rolls and cut to fit.

 

Is that proportioning valve in your picture in the front or rear brake line? It looks like it's in the front but I was under the impression that it should be in the rear line.

 

It has been a few months since this thread was active.
How did it all turn out?

 

I think the Car is for sale now.

 

well said. cut 'ole dad some slack on this one...jack

 

Buy a GOOD QUALITY double flaring kit. Buy a tubing bender. Not expensive, but worth every dime. Don't buy the harbor freight stuff! Go to a trusted local parts store. They should have a quality kit, or can get it for you. Sears used to have a decent kit too years ago. Buy some straight lengths of brake line. They are STEEL , practice until you are confident with you double flares. It's not hard at all, it just takes a little practice and patience. Buy some brake wrenches too. Lines must be tight, and an open end wrench will slip first. Good luck! Bob