63 Brake Line

[Joseph S.]

The single brake line that runs rearward on top of the left frame rail needs replacing in my 63 coupe.
is there a good ( or any ) way to accomplish this without lifting the body off the frame? Have run a line on another car along the upper outside of the frame rail but had extreme difficulty passing the line inboard alonethe top of the rear crossmember. Joe

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Brake Line

I couldn't find a good way on my 63. After several hours of trying I ended up splicing the line just in front of the the rear cross member. Its pretty hard to detect in judging

[Jack Y.]

Re: 63 Brake Line

I was able to replace the brake line to the rear by removing the body bolts on the left side (and middle) and jacked the body up with a 2x4 under the body rail. I only went up just enough to complete the task. I don't regret it. I used stainless and have no plans to revisit that effort.

[Stewart L.]

Re: 63 Brake Line

I had the same problem in a 65 recently. I got some nickel copper brake line, its very flexible. I was able to snake the line into place including over the crossmember in the rear and then flare it, it is completly functional. Someday when I pull the body I will put in the correct line but it is drivable for now.
Stewart

[Neil L.]

Re: 63 Brake Line

I replaced the front to rear brake line on my 64 in a little less than 3 hours with the body bolted to the frame. This included replacing the clips on top of the frame. I removed the drivers side rocker panel and rear tire. I fed the brake line into the wheel well going between the inside frame rail and the body. I then worked the line into place reaching under the car and going through the space provided by the removed rocker panel. The only tricky part was aligning the line around the frame kick-up. Bending was very minimal.

[Joseph S.]

Re: 63 Brake Line

I replaced the front to rear brake line on my 64 in a little less than 3 hours with the body bolted to the frame. This included replacing the clips on top of the frame. I removed the drivers side rocker panel and rear tire. I fed the brake line into the wheel well going between the inside frame rail and the body. I then worked the line into place reaching under the car and going through the space provided by the removed rocker panel. The only tricky part was aligning the line around the frame kick-up. Bending was very minimal.

Neil,
Appreciate the note, I just removed the old line and clips.
May be a stupid question but it seems when I thread the line from back to front I will have to straighten the prebent frame kick up bend and attempt to re-bend the line after pushing through the slot between the frame rail and the body. Can't see a how to get the line through with the bend but haven't tried it yet. Thanks for your input.
Joe