New Brake Lines Question

[Don Z.]

On an earlier post regarding silicone brake fluid, I got to thinking that maybe I might as well go all the way and change the 40+ year old brake lines also. Looking through the archives I find some favor the steel brake lines vs the S/S lines because of fit at the connections and of course point savings during judging.
Looking through the catalogs I find prices vary somewhat. What is experience of the better place to buy not only for $$$$ but possible fit, shape etc ? OR does all the brake lines come from the same source to each vendor?
Thanks for the help

[Sam K.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

I had "Classic Tube" out of Buffalo NY make-up the SS Brake & Fuel lines for my '55 Vette and they fabricate an exact duplicate of your Lines in SS along with the appropriate fittings for whl cyl, brass blocks etc. Give them a call, and they will Price it out for you. They are fairly quick as well. I also had them do a Custom set for my G.S. replica. It was exactly as the sample I provided for them.

[Dick W.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

I have used SSBC in Miami with good results. I highly recommend that you stay with the TBW tubing, there are less problems with leaking connections than stainless.

[Don Z.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

Thanks Sam & Dick......Any phone numbers or web sites for either??

[Michael W.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

Quick- somebody name a real-life advantage to having the SS lines.

For bonus points, would anybody fess up to making the same mistake twice?

[Larry M.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

Thanks Sam & Dick......Any phone numbers or web sites for either??

Don: Just GOOGLE them. That's what I did.

www.classictube.com and www.cssbinc.com

Another good source in Inline Tube.www.inlinetube.com

Larry

[David W.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

I have never used the s/s tubing. Is it that much more difficult to work with than the tbw? And is their any real advantage to using the s/s tubing?

Happy Motoring,
David

[William G.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

I just finished putting new steel brake lines in my 66 roadster without removing the body. It was a difficult enough job doing all the unbending and rebending so that the finished lines looked as if they had not been bent. I can't imagine doing that with stainless lines.

[David W.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

I have no experience with the stainless. Is it more difficult to work with? I assumed it would be less likely to break with all the un-bending and bending. I am in the process of replacing these on my 80 with body in place. I have yet to order the new lines. I assume it best to stay away from the stainless for my project. Correct?

Thanks,
David

[Tom L.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

I installed a set on my, dare I say it...Mustang and was not impressed. As mentioned earler, Stainless lines are less forgiving than steel. Also, after installation I had a couple of leaks at the joints. The joints need to be tightened to the point that you might think you are about to strip the threads (but didn't). Stick with steel.

[Sam K.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

To begin with, replacement with or without the body......
therein lies the difficulty with "prebent" lines whether SS or not.
If the body is off and you are to "show" the car, SS does not tarnish or corrode. I have had success with SS lines when doing a car for show.
Classic Tube in Clarence NY are in all the major car magazines.
Sam

[Michael W.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

If the body is off and you are to "show" the car, SS does not tarnish or corrode. I have had success with SS lines when doing a car for show.

I gather you're not referring to NCRS 'shows'. If a car is not being driven in nasty salt and snow, the standard TBW lines do not corrode either.

[Don Z.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

Thanks Everyone for the insight. I think I am going with the steel. I've talked to Classic Tube. I think he was kinda surprised that I wanted steel. Said he would need to make it up because everyone wants stainless. He also told me he supplys a lot of the aftermarket places. I talked to another supplier but they don't do brake line kits anymore and refered me to Classic Tube. He confirmed that Classic Tube does for the aftermarket people.

Thank Again

[William G.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

Don, no need to have anything made special. You can get reasonably priced, good quality from the usual Corvette suppliers like Corvette Central, Paragon, Zip, etc. off the shelf. They sell steel line kits all the time.

[Joe L.]

Re: New Brake Lines Question

Thanks Everyone for the insight. I think I am going with the steel. I've talked to Classic Tube. I think he was kinda surprised that I wanted steel. Said he would need to make it up because everyone wants stainless. He also told me he supplys a lot of the aftermarket places. I talked to another supplier but they don't do brake line kits anymore and refered me to Classic Tube. He confirmed that Classic Tube does for the aftermarket people.

Thank Again

Don------


As I've said MANY times before, I LOVE stainless steel. I like it better than gold. For example, I'd MUCH rather wear a stainless steel watch and band than a gold watch and band. I LOVE stainless steel everything. EXCEPT fuel and brake lines. Fuel and brake lines use FLARED ends and the flare is what effectuates the seal. Stainless steel just doesn't conform well enough to always get a good seal. I'm NOT saying that everyone that uses stainless steel is going to have leakage problems, but it's a lot more of a potential problem. Who wants to go to all the trouble of installing new lines only to have them leak and requiring starting over from "square 1"?

Plus, you are very unlikely to have any problems with plain, old TBW tubing. I mean, we're not going to live forever. So, why risk sealing problems NOW in order that the NEXT GUY and the guy after him never has to replace the lines?