65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

[Dave K.]

Just purchased a 65 coupe and do not yet have the assembly manual. Need to replace the front to back brake line that runs along left frame. Can this be done without body lift? If so, could you provide a procedure? Is 64/65 the same routing where line on 64 is on top of frame?

Regards,
Dave K.

[William C.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

Don't know how the '64 is routed, but the '65 (see UPC 8 sheet B3 of the AIM) runs up ther front of the frame kickup and then a section about 3 feet long goes thru a hole in the frame kickup to get to the rear to hook up to the flex line. I've heard of guys doing a partial lift to provide clearance, but it would have to be a pretty big gap to get enough clearance.

[Jim D.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

Bill, I believe you're thinking about the fuel line. The OP is talking about the brake line. It doesn't go through any holes in the frame but I don't know if it can be replaced without lifting the body a little bit. I did it the easy way, removed the whole body.

Jim

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

Don't know how the '64 is routed, but the '65 (see UPC 8 sheet B3 of the AIM) runs up ther front of the frame kickup and then a section about 3 feet long goes thru a hole in the frame kickup to get to the rear to hook up to the flex line. I've heard of guys doing a partial lift to provide clearance, but it would have to be a pretty big gap to get enough clearance.

Bill, I think Dave is referring to brake line, not the fuel line. I replaced the front-to-rear one on my '65 and yes, you have to raise the body by about 4-6", at least on the driver side. The passenger side body mounts have to be loose but not necessary to lift, IIRC. The worst part is turning the corner just in front of the rear kick-up. You can do this without bending then re-straightening the line.

[Gene M.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

Dave,
The front to rear brake line is the only one that poses difficulty. The two "P" clamps along the frame rail will be most difficult. I suggest a 1/2" flat sheet metal wrench to fit up in there to remove the 5/16 screws. You can bend and shape the sheet metal wrench to fit on the bolt heads. Bending and feeding and rebending the fuel line will be fun so have a helper.

[Dave K.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

Gene,

I hope that you meant brake line. I plan to buy a replacement brake line at Carisle this weekend that is straight and not bent for shipping. Your procedure assumes a replacement that duplicates the OEM installation and I prefer that. Have you actually replaced the brake line on a 565 coupe? I just bought the 65 assembly manual so I will study it. Any other way to route line other than OEM route?

[Doug L.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

I think you will have to raise the body off the frame. The floor wells of the body tub extend well below the tops of the frame rails, and I think they extend to some degree on the outside of the frame rails too. This places the frame rail in somewhat of a trough. If you send me your e-mail address I can send some photos of this brake line installed on my bare frame.
Doug

[Dave K.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

Doug,

Appreciate your comments but there seem to be a number of guys who have replaced w/o lifting body.

[Edward S.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

Dave, I replaced the line on my 66 coupe. It took me about 2-3 hours. My car was on jack stands, I made a special offset open end wrench to get the bolts out. I first removed the old line, then feed the new one in from under the back of the car and through the center cross member. No body lifting required. You just need to bend the forward end of the line straight enough to get it through the frame section. Just tape up the fitting so you don't damage the threads or get dirt in the brake line. I have done much more difficult things, just take your time its really not that hard to do. Send me a private E-mail and I can send you my custom wrench to use. Ed 51269

[Dave K.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

Ed,

Thanks. 66 is different than 65. 66 is much easier due to routing difference.

Dave K.

[William B.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

Dave, I have replaced the brake line on midyears without lifting the body. I put a splice about in the middle of the line, in order to get it routed properly. If it's a steel line its easy to make the fittings, stainless is more difficult. That will make you 100% safe for now, when you do your body-off, just put anorther new front to rear line in.
if you do not cut then you must carefully rebend and reform, then you take a chance of getting kink's where you can't even see them.

[Dave K.]

Re: 65 coupe front to rear brake line replacement

Thanks Bill.