'67 Brake Line Finish??

[Bob S.]

Hello - I'm cleaning my engine compartment before reinstalling the engine after a rebuild. Under years (more likely decades) of caked-on grime is what appears to be some of the original 'asphaltine' finish on the frame rails. It feels tacky and varies in coverage: full coverage in some places to thin in others, and none in other locations. I'm using Goop hand cleaner, a stiff bristle (non-metal) brush and rinsing with plenty of water.

The brake lines are black, but I'm unsure what's covering them. What's the correct finish for '67 brake lines? I'm hopeful the answer is something like zinc plating 'cause my cleaning is removing whatever the black stuff is that's covering the brake lines too.

Thanks,
Bob

[Joe L.]

Re: '67 Brake Line Finish??

Hello - I'm cleaning my engine compartment before reinstalling the engine after a rebuild. Under years (more likely decades) of caked-on grime is what appears to be some of the original 'asphaltine' finish on the frame rails. It feels tacky and varies in coverage: full coverage in some places to thin in others, and none in other locations. I'm using Goop hand cleaner, a stiff bristle (non-metal) brush and rinsing with plenty of water.

The brake lines are black, but I'm unsure what's covering them. What's the correct finish for '67 brake lines? I'm hopeful the answer is something like zinc plating 'cause my cleaning is removing whatever the black stuff is that's covering the brake lines too.

Thanks,
Bob

Bob------


The brake lines are tinned bundy weld (TBW). The finish apears like zinc but is actually some sort of alloy of tin.

If you have some sort of asphaltic coating on the lines, then I expect that the car was at some point undercoated post-factory.