Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

[Monte M.]

Can you tell me who makes the brake lines that go from the master cylinder to the proportioning valve on a 1972 with power brakes?

If not who makes them, where I can get a used set.

I have bought a few sets over the years that were suppossed to be "Just like originals". And of course they were not.

I am lucky enough to have a 72 with quite a few options, but power brakes was not one of them and I want to put them on it.

I have everything to complete the job, with the exception of the power brake lines. They typically have the wire wrapped around them for cooling.

My first choice would be a decent set of originals. But a good set of re-pop's will do just fine if that is all I can find.

Appreciate you taking the time.

[John D.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

Monte, Do you have the original brake line that is good enough for a pattern to have some made? Maybe work on getting a print of the line. Today it's no big deal to have lines made.
One problem though is the material. It's coated with a silver plating that resembles crappy zincad. Getting the old terne finished aka bare tubing is not getting easy. John

[Monte M.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

John,
I actually have a re-pop set that look pretty good with the exception of the ends/fittings. They are anodized blue and green. I really have nothing to start with except my originals for non-power brakes. But I think I want to hang on to those in case I ever want to put the car back to original.
Thanks for the ideas.
Monte

[Stephen L.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

Have you tried "FINELINES" or "RIGHT STUFF". They both make some pretty good stuff for most muscle cars. Maybe they can make some for you

[Joe R.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

www.finelinesinc.com This company supplies all the major Corvette vendors in the US. Check out their links on their web page and see for yourself.

JR

[Tom L.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

Monte, last year I purchase a complete set of lines from Classic tube. I only installed the lines that go to the rear of the car, the hard part, and they fit fairly well. I've since taken the front apart but hav'nt installed the lines so I can't speak for the fit yet. Once they've been installed, hopefully within a month, I can report back.

While each line is not listed in their cataloge each of the lines has it's own tag with it's part number. For you I have two options, I can give you the part numbers for each line or option 2 which I'll send to you in PM. Good luck!!!

[Terry M.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

Can you tell me who makes the brake lines that go from the master cylinder to the proportioning valve on a 1972 with power brakes?

If not who makes them, where I can get a used set.

I have bought a few sets over the years that were suppossed to be "Just like originals". And of course they were not.

I am lucky enough to have a 72 with quite a few options, but power brakes was not one of them and I want to put them on it.

I have everything to complete the job, with the exception of the power brake lines. They typically have the wire wrapped around them for cooling.

My first choice would be a decent set of originals. But a good set of re-pop's will do just fine if that is all I can find.

Appreciate you taking the time.

Monte -- just a few minor technical points, and I mention them only because we ARE very anal here. It is our stock in trade. Please do not be offended. I mention them only for the education of everyone who peers into this thread.

You do not have a proportioning valve on your 1972 -- unless it is far from stock. The brass block that is attached to the driver's side frame rail on a bracket is a pressure differential unit (it lights the BRAKE light on the dash if there is a difference in pressure between the front and rear brake systems). It is also a distribution block, so it could be called either a pressure differential block, distribution block OR a multifunction unit, but not proportioning valve.

The wire wound around the brake lines is for physical protection of the lines from bumps and contact with tools and debris. If your brake fluid needed the cooling that wire provides you are in a world of hurt.

[Monte M.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

Terry,
You are correct. It is not a proportioning valve. My mistake. As far as the wrap on the brake lines, I was under the impression that it was there to prevent the lines from getting too hot. The extra wrap was there to absorb the engine compartment heat and dissipate the heat instead of all the heat going directly to the brake line. The heat going directly to the brake lines might allow the fluid to get too hot and over heat. An yes, then you would be in a world of hurt.

When I bought the brake lines for my Jeep, you could get a standard set or a set that had the heat dissipaters down the main run past the exhaust system. This is where I learned that, at least for the Jeep, the wrap was there to dissipate the heat so it did no over heat the barke lines/brake fluid.

Thank you for the input.
Monte

[John H.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

When I bought the brake lines for my Jeep, you could get a standard set or a set that had the heat dissipaters down the main run past the exhaust system. This is where I learned that, at least for the Jeep, the wrap was there to dissipate the heat so it did no over heat the barke lines/brake fluid.

Monte -

Having spent most of my life in the automotive design/engineering world, the armor wrap on TBW brake lines was put there to protect them from impingement/abrasion/damage from stones, rocks, sand and debris thrown off the tires, and has nothing to do with cooling or protection from heat. In later years, it became a double-edged sword, as the armor wrap also tends to trap water and mud, forming a poultice, which corrodes the line inside the wrap.

[Monte M.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

John and Terry,
I appreciate you clearing it up for me. In this hobby of cars, that we all love so much, I stilll learn something new every day. Especially about 63's. One of the worse things we can do is to pass on information that is not correct. So, I thank you for that.
I understand why they have it where they have it on the Jeep brake lines, but I do wonder why they call it what they do.
So, in closing, Thank you gentelmen for correcting me in a non-offensive manner.
AND, I think I have found a set of brake lines that have a wire wrapped around them for protection. (lol)
Take Care,
Monte

[Terry M.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

Monte,
If you are successful in purchasing the armor clad brake lines a post here will help others who may be similarly situated in the years to come.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

Monte,
Try InLine Tube located in Shelby Township, MI. They show applications for many GM cars with the armor. They will custom make anything you need to your specs. Hope this helps.
Jeff

[Terry M.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

I know them well. I got the 4-wheel disk kit for my 1967 Chevelle from them. Good folks to work with, and in my case a quality product that fit like a glove.

[Monte M.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

Good to know. What I have ended up with is a set of originals that are pretty "un-original". If you know what I mean? The original set is pretty beat up, but a great place to start. I will contact them to copy and make me a new set. I will keep you informed.
Like most shops, my guess is they will make a pattern for future potential people in need.

Thanks for all the input and good information.

[Tom L.]

Re: Brake Lines at Master Cylinder-Who Makes Them? (1972)

Monte, did you get my PM??? let me know.