Rear brake line replacement '65

[John C.]

Hey guys, is it a big deal to replace the rear brake line on a 65 convertible? The car is completely together. It's not leaking, it's just that the nut for the rear line is a little beat up looking and I would prefer it have a better appearance. If it's not too big a deal, I'd like to replace it while the M/C is off. I have to go through the bleeding process either way.
JC

[Ralph B.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

John,

I asume you are referring to the rear crossover line which was fairly easy on my 66 ------- I removed the clips at their respective blocks to gain some additional wiggle room and make starting the threads a little easier. I also did not fully tighten one side until I was cofindent the both sides were engaged correctly into the thread.

Note: This also gives you a great opportunity to detail the frame and refurbish or replace the green clips.

As far as post bleeding goes, WELL that's another story with me, as you can check out my recent and ongoing post !! --------- hopefully you not have that problem.

Ralph

[Wayne M.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

JC -- I had to raise the body about 3 inches off the frame to do my '65 without bending the line to install, then bend again to align. Problem area for all top-of-the-frame factory routings is where the line passes / turns inboard in front of the rear frame kick-up.

BTW, let us know how many clips (held by hex screws) there are at the forward face of the kick-up. Mine had two (side-by-side) but it's a very late car. They changed the brake line routing in '66-up to avoid this area.

[Ralph B.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

John,
I just noticed Wayne's reply and realized you may not be refering to the cross over line which I wrongly assumed?
Ralph

[John C.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

John,
I just noticed Wayne's reply and realized you may not be refering to the cross over line which I wrongly assumed?
Ralph

Yeah, I was referring to the line from the M/C to the rear of the car. I had a feeling it was gonna require lifting the body. Dang, I don't know if I'm ready to tackle that, esp. since it's not a mandatory replacement.
JC

[John C.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

JC -- I had to raise the body about 3 inches off the frame to do my '65 without bending the line to install, then bend again to align. Problem area for all top-of-the-frame factory routings is where the line passes / turns inboard in front of the rear frame kick-up.

BTW, let us know how many clips (held by hex screws) there are at the forward face of the kick-up. Mine had two (side-by-side) but it's a very late car. They changed the brake line routing in '66-up to avoid this area.

It's beggining to sound like I should just leave it be. I was just gona replace it for cosmetic reasons. Maybe down the road if I ever have a good reason the raise the body.
Thx buddy!

[Donald T.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

As previously stated, replacing the long line from the M/C requires a body lift. however, you need to be absolutely certain of the condition of the brake system for obvious safety reasons. The 65 does not have a dual M/C, so any failure of any of the lines could be catastrophic. If a body lift is required to ensure safety, then it is time and money well spent.

[William G.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

John
I did mind on a 65 cov without lifting the body.
Only took about 14 hours and some skinned knuckles and some_______
_____ words.
Tried to use stainless line but will not work. Went back to regular line
and finally made it work with some benting and grunting. Would I do it
again with out body lift probably not.
Would you believe that i was doing a frame off and forgot to run the line.
Thats what happens when you get old and forgetfull. Oh well
GOOD LUCK
Bill

[John C.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

As previously stated, replacing the long line from the M/C requires a body lift. however, you need to be absolutely certain of the condition of the brake system for obvious safety reasons. The 65 does not have a dual M/C, so any failure of any of the lines could be catastrophic. If a body lift is required to ensure safety, then it is time and money well spent.

Ok, yall gonna have to clarify something here. I've talked to about 6 or 7 different people about the M/C and half say it did come with a dual chamber M/C and the other half say single bowl. Eklers really got it wrong, way wrong. Called Corvette stainless steel brakes, Inc this am and ordered a rebuilt kit for a 2 chamber M/C, which they say did come on the 65 with Power Brakes (vacuum). Some of the early 65's had 3/16 lines and later in the year, they went to 1/4" lines. No proportioning valve until in the 70's. All had a 1" bore. hydro boost never happened on the vette from the factory. This is what I've learned over the last week or so from the guys here on the Forum. Anyway, if I'm wrong, and I very well could be, just let me know. Either way doesn't matter to me, I'm a rookie on C-2 vettes and am just trying to learn so I can work on this thing.
jc

[John C.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

John
I did mind on a 65 cov without lifting the body.
Only took about 14 hours and some skinned knuckles and some_______
_____ words.
Tried to use stainless line but will not work. Went back to regular line
and finally made it work with some benting and grunting. Would I do it
again with out body lift probably not.
Would you believe that i was doing a frame off and forgot to run the line.
Thats what happens when you get old and forgetfull. Oh well
GOOD LUCK
Bill

Not quite as bad a mistake as doing an oil change and forgetting to reinstall the drain plug. And learing this after cranking it up and noticing there is no oil pressure. Not good, real not good. I didn't do this, but I know someone that did way back in the day when we were teenagers.
JC

[Donald T.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

Ok, yall gonna have to clarify something here. I've talked to about 6 or 7 different people about the M/C and half say it did come with a dual chamber M/C and the other half say single bowl. Eklers really got it wrong, way wrong. Called Corvette stainless steel brakes, Inc this am and ordered a rebuilt kit for a 2 chamber M/C, which they say did come on the 65 with Power Brakes (vacuum). Some of the early 65's had 3/16 lines and later in the year, they went to 1/4" lines. No proportioning valve until in the 70's. All had a 1" bore. hydro boost never happened on the vette from the factory. This is what I've learned over the last week or so from the guys here on the Forum. Anyway, if I'm wrong, and I very well could be, just let me know. Either way doesn't matter to me, I'm a rookie on C-2 vettes and am just trying to learn so I can work on this thing.
jc

Power brakes would have come with a dual M/C. Standard brakes would have been single M/C. Sorry, I just assumed standard brakes.

[Terry M.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

Not quite as bad a mistake as doing an oil change and forgetting to reinstall the drain plug. And learing this after cranking it up and noticing there is no oil pressure. Not good, real not good. I didn't do this, but I know someone that did way back in the day when we were teenagers.
JC

About every two or three terms in school we have someone do this. We call it "making the Exon Valdez."
Knowledge is expensive -- and the cost is not always in money.

[Neil L.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

John,
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.

[William C.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

Outlet size in '65 was 3/16 on PB systems thru the model run. Replacements used the larger outlets, requiring reducers to mate to the '65 lines.

[John C.]

Re: Rear brake line replacement '65

John,
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.

Hum ! Well, if you did it in 3 hrs, maybe I could do it in 5 or 6 since I probably have about half the experience you do. I might could go for that. If I decide to go for it, would you mind if I pick your brain a little more for some more details??
JC