540 vette

I am replacing the front to rear brake line on my 72. I thought the back half was hard. That went very easy. It's the front I am sure will be "fun". It looks like I will have to remove the steering box, I have a Borgenson and it is probably larger than the stock one. There is no room there to get the line in. Has anyone done this, any tips.

540 vette

No tips. No help.

Well this job isn't as hard as you might think. Took me a total of 2 hours to do. The back part isn't hard and I found the front part harder. If you have a manual the Z bar needs to come out. The trans crossmember needs to come out also. That just makes it easier. The clips aren't that difficult. The only hard one is the one by the rear kickup. I used a wrench and a 1/4 drive to get them out.
Don't let others discourage you from doing this job. Most that do that never did it or crawled under their car and thought it was impossible to do. I have found that most people of here that tell you to either get a pro to do it or it is to hard have never done the jobs.

I took the old one out in pieces. Did the rear fitting first. If you are going to do this one do the rear crossover last. I took the block out and attached it to the line then put that into it's bracket. Makes it easier to get the threads started on the line into it. Bowed it out in the center then fed it up past the steering box and everything else and attached it to the block. You may have to pry a little but you will get it started. That was the hardest part. Then I put the clips on. Started in the front and worked my way back. Bleed the brakes and you are done. Not hard at all.

Now I have to do the fuel line. I thinl that will be a little harder.

Mooser

That rear clip is the one that gave me grief. Cut up a cheapo socket and made special tool #5 just for that one bolt. Of course now it's useful for all kinds of other place.






Gas lines were a real PIA but my rear suspension was out so there was a little more room
M

540 vette

I am going to do it with 3/8 aluminum line. If that don't work -6 an line will be used.

zwede

Aluminum fuel line? You're aware that ethanol is corrosive to aluminum, right?

I used 3/8 brake line for my fuel return when I did my EFI system. It has worked well for many years and was easy to install as it comes in 5-foot sections with fittings already installed on both ends. Used brass couplers between sections.

lvmyvt76

i thought we were talking brake lines here, not fuel lines

zwede

In post #2 he said he's done with brake lines, fuel lines are next. In post #4 that he wants to do aluminum.

540 vette

I have always used aluminum and never had a problem. If you think it will be a problem I will used the braided line. But I never had a problem and never heard of anyone having the line corrode.

The brake line does sound like a good idea.

zwede

I don't know for sure either. Maybe the 10% ethanol blend is ok. I have aluminum fuel rails (EFI) and they have been fine.

540 vette

I did a search and they said that the only problem on a street car is from vibration and it needs alot of clamps. Nothing about fuel though.