I want to run new SS brake lines for my 68.
Without the body removed, can I install the replacement pre-bent lines that are available?
If so does anyone recommend any particular brand as being better? Otherwise I was going to go with VBP's.

 

I went with the VB&P kit myself. Everything looked amazing. I had to slightly bend a few of the lines where they screw in, but that probably had more to do with how I routed them. I couldn't get the right rear 2 clips that are under the body and tucked above the frame. I couldn't get a wrench on them to save my life. That is where I had some issues, b/c I couldn't get that 1' section of old brake lines out so I ran the new ones over top. Are you going with some S/S Brake hoses as well? I figured might as well go all S/S after talking to a few guys on here.

HTH ,

Josh

 

I did SS lines on my 68 with the body on. The only line that is a problem is the one that runs on the frame rail to the back of the car. It is very difficult to snake the line through the crossmember. Two people could probably do it much easier. Also, it helps to get the car as high off the ground as possible.

1B.DZ had the same problem I had. They put the lines in the car before lowering the body. No clearance! I managed to get the clips and bolts out but it was a pain. I used shorter SS bolts on the replacement.

 

Thanks guys. It sure is easy if you just as a question. I appreciate it.
Yes, I plan to go with the braided hoses also. Don't know if it is really any better but they aren't that expensive so what the heck. They look cool! Did the VBP lines come with the new clips and bolts for installation or is that a seperate item?

 

My son and I did S/S lines on my 69 a couple of years ago. We were able to replace all lines and all clips with the body in place.

Clip kits are separate items - I picked one up that included both brake and gas line clips.

 

I've down several posts about replacing the brake lines with SS tubing with the body on. (I have a 68 also.) They should be accessible by using the search function. If not, I'd be glad to run through the procedure all over again.

I bought my stainless steel tubing from inlinetube.com. I opted for the optional stainless steel fittings. Several vendors sell their ss tubes with soft steel fittings (stock was soft steel). I wanted stainless steel fittings because I didn't want to knerl the fittings when I went to torque them up at difficult to get locations; i.e. the brass distribution block on the frame near the driver's side trailing arm. If you're a NCRS leaning person, you can get ss brake lines from Paragon that have the correctly color coded soft steel fittings that go into the master cylinder.

When I torqued up the fitting into the brass block on the frame near the driver's side trailing arm attach point, I had the trailing arm removed. I had to get a torch and slightly bend the end of my tube wrench to get good attachment to the fitting to tighten it. Strangely it appears that a normal tube wrench (unbent) will reach this same fitting in my 70.

To me, a key technique to replacing the brake lines with the body on, is to remove the old lines without cutting them. Remove it as a whole. This will train you how to install the new brake lines, since replacing with new is essentially the same, in reverse, as removing the old.

 

I have the same problem. Anyone replace all the brake lines on a 75 with the body on?

 

I replaced mine with SS hardlines with the body off. Got them from a guy at Carlisle last summer. Even with the body off snaking the line down the driverside frame rail was a PIA. I bought the rubber lined clamps seperately and reused the clamp bolts. Nice setup, also had to bend the tips a little where they mate to eachother. Good luck...make sure you have a lot of patience on hand when tackling this job.

 

How to install brake lines without removing the body for a 68 and probably most/all C3's.........

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You'll find a lot of postings by me and many others describing this. (Some of the search results will not be pertinent.) I installed three sets on my 68 before I got it right!!! (The first ss set, I knurled a soft steel fitting and removed the line, the second set was installed before I discovered that it was for power brakes, removed that set, sent it back and finally for the third time installed the correct lines. After three times it was getting pretty easy.)