63 SWC steel brake line install

[Richard L.]

How do I go about replacing the long steel brake line which runs from the front on the car, driver's side, to the rear junction block. Surely it can be done without lifting the body but what's the procedure, from those of you who've done it before? It's a 1963 SWC, early car, manufactured around the middle of December 1962. Routing it the last third of the way looks near impossible to me.
Thanks in advance for all of the tips and advice.
Ric

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

I know of one person that's done that on a '67 which later received a regional Top Flight without lifting the body, it resulted in sectioning the line invisibly - many think its a bad idea but I know the car and its still doing just fine 6 years later...

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

I don't believe it can be installed in one piece without lifting the body.

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

You simply straighten the line at the rear and insert it with little trouble. After getting it in place just bend the brake line back into position. Did it on a 66 but should be the same for all C-2's.

JR

[Richard L.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

JR,
Are you saying to start at the rear and fish it through towards the front of the car??
Ric

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

JR,
Are you saying to start at the rear and fish it through towards the front of the car??
Ric

Bend the rear of the line straight and fish it thru from the front to rear.

JR

[Patrick B.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

Be aware that the line routing is not the same for all years. On a 67, and maybe a 66, the line runs along the upper side of the frame (facing the driveshaft), but on a 65 it runs on top of the frame. On a 65 you would not be able to reach the clamp screws with the body in place. I don't know about earlier years but I would expect them to be more like a 65 than a 67.

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

63, 4 and 5 are way more difficult to install without removing the body. I recently installed a repo line ABOVE the frame like originally located. I straightened the FRONT of the line, then fished it up front on top the frame rail. its a PITA but can be done without cutting the line in half as someone did previously on the 64 I'm working on. mike

[Richard L.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

Mike,
I do not/will not cut the line, so glad to know it's been done if only by someone as talented as you. My question remains, insert the line from the rear or the front of the car. My line is also a repo (Long Island Corvette Supply) and, though correctness/aesthetics matter, my main concern is protecting the line given its critical function in the single circuit system of the '63 cars.
So, insert from the rear or the front?
Ric

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

i inserted from rear to front so the only bend in the tubing was where it goes up to the master cylinder. bear in mind, this method doesn't clamp the line to the top of the frame as was done originally. its so tight between floor pan and frame that it hasn't rattled . mike

[Richard L.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

OK, good to know. I still have the original factory installed line so I'll remove it--if I can, with the clips, if any, in place--so I'll have a good idea of what the impediments are along the way.
thanks Mike.
ric

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

i don't think u will be able to get to the old line or remove the retaining clips UNLESS u pull the body. too tight between floorpan and frame. mike

[Richard L.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

Well, here's hoping then that, with the original line in place I can still fish the new one through. Early morning, on the lift, no phone nearby and no tunes always works for me when it's a tough one.
THX

[Norm B.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

I recently lifted the body off my '63 coupe. Just to give you an idea of how the original line is configured and what you are up against if you look closely at the two pictures you can see the remnants of the original line and some of the original clips that held it in place. A previous owner had replaced the line but just ran it along the side of the frame instead of above it.

[Richard L.]

Re: 63 SWC steel brake line install

Boy, pics do speak 1,000 words and three of them sure make it clear what I'm up against. It'll help immensely. As another possibility, I woke up thinking, would be to remove the left lower rocker panel (below the sill plate) and see if there's any space there to run the line above the frame.