68 - 69 Brake line woes ???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
68 - 69 Brake line woes ???
Iether Classic Tube made a mistake or I'm dealing with a 68 to 69 changeover issue (68 built on 7.19.68)
The line in question is the long big shielded main line that goes from the distribution block to the rear of the car. The one I got in the kit says "1968 Standard Brakes" on it. Here's the issue:
When MY line comes out of the block it's going DOWN. Then it takes a bend and goes horizonally toward the right rear of the car for about 3.5 inches, then it takes another bend and heads down to the frame where it will proceed to travel to the back.
Instead of 3.5 inches, my replacement has 4.5 inches of horizontal travel toward the right rear. Aside from being "wrong", this will cause it to conflict with the steering shaft.
I guess what I want to know is if my late '68 car is using the 1969 line in that location. Again, we are talking about length of the first horizontal travel after the line comes down out of the front/rear distribution block, before it bends down again to go to meet the frame. My car has 3.5 now and the "1968" replacement they sent me has 4.5
My car has standard brakes just FYI. THANKS!
-W
PS: Assuming my car does use the 1969 line there... what else can I expect to run into?
The line in question is the long big shielded main line that goes from the distribution block to the rear of the car. The one I got in the kit says "1968 Standard Brakes" on it. Here's the issue:
When MY line comes out of the block it's going DOWN. Then it takes a bend and goes horizonally toward the right rear of the car for about 3.5 inches, then it takes another bend and heads down to the frame where it will proceed to travel to the back.
Instead of 3.5 inches, my replacement has 4.5 inches of horizontal travel toward the right rear. Aside from being "wrong", this will cause it to conflict with the steering shaft.
I guess what I want to know is if my late '68 car is using the 1969 line in that location. Again, we are talking about length of the first horizontal travel after the line comes down out of the front/rear distribution block, before it bends down again to go to meet the frame. My car has 3.5 now and the "1968" replacement they sent me has 4.5
My car has standard brakes just FYI. THANKS!
-W
PS: Assuming my car does use the 1969 line there... what else can I expect to run into?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Get in touch with the company that provided the lines...They should know if there are more than one set of lines for a non-power 68 Vette or heaven forbid, a line got packaged wrong....not normal but still possible...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
My June built power nothing '68 is 3 1/2" and I can't see a similar equipped '69 being any different seeing the front end and firewall is exactly the same on both years.
I think your going to find that you have lines that were bent for a power brake equipped '68. The extra inch is probably needed because of the booster.
I think your going to find that you have lines that were bent for a power brake equipped '68. The extra inch is probably needed because of the booster.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
My June built power nothing '68 is 3 1/2" and I can't see a similar equipped '69 being any different seeing the front end and firewall is exactly the same on both years.
I think your going to find that you have lines that were bent for a power brake equipped '68. The extra inch is probably needed because of the booster.
I think your going to find that you have lines that were bent for a power brake equipped '68. The extra inch is probably needed because of the booster.
Looking at my catalogs there was a radical difference in the location of the distribution block in 1969, so I no longer think it's a '68-'69 issue.
I'm going to call Classic Tube this afternoon and see what I can determine.
-W
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
Hey Rick.. I started a new thread in C3 General - the treatment I got from Classic Tube was... well "classic". I know now it's not a '68 vs '69 issue. It's iether a STD vs Power mislabel issue, or it's just that Classic Tube has been making them 1" wrong all these years.
But I'll let the new thread speak for itself.
-W
But I'll let the new thread speak for itself.
-W
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
Since the other thread is now closed, I'm pleased to report that I've been on the phone 1/2 the morning with a rep from ClassicTube who is now looking into this matter; no longer as a skeptic but as a true believer. So I'm VERY happy with the end result.
They wanted to send me a new line right away but I think I convinced them to wait until next week so I can get my factory line out of the car intact and do some side by side comparisons and measuring for both the good of CT and 1968's everywhere.
I'll post another follow up when our work is complete, but I'm pleased to report we are all on the same page.
Responce both here, the other thread, and via PM and emails has indeed confirmed that 3.5" is the factory correct length in that location. I'm pulling my line to make double sure everything else is in order before they bend me a new one. I also plan to send them my factory one at some point for thier archives - now that we are indeed sure mine is the same as everyone else's. Thanks to all who helped.
-W
They wanted to send me a new line right away but I think I convinced them to wait until next week so I can get my factory line out of the car intact and do some side by side comparisons and measuring for both the good of CT and 1968's everywhere.
I'll post another follow up when our work is complete, but I'm pleased to report we are all on the same page.
Responce both here, the other thread, and via PM and emails has indeed confirmed that 3.5" is the factory correct length in that location. I'm pulling my line to make double sure everything else is in order before they bend me a new one. I also plan to send them my factory one at some point for thier archives - now that we are indeed sure mine is the same as everyone else's. Thanks to all who helped.
-W
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi W,
I think it's really good that you're willing to do the work in order to get CT the information they need. I'll hope this all will turn out well AND you'll have helped some other 68 owners, too.
I've read your other thread and I think I understand how you felt when they were treating so badly and not taking you seriously.
Good Luck.
Regards,
Alan
I think it's really good that you're willing to do the work in order to get CT the information they need. I'll hope this all will turn out well AND you'll have helped some other 68 owners, too.
I've read your other thread and I think I understand how you felt when they were treating so badly and not taking you seriously.
Good Luck.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
Hi W,
I think it's really good that you're willing to do the work in order to get CT the information they need. I'll hope this all will turn out well AND you'll have helped some other 68 owners, too.
I've read your other thread and I think I understand how you felt when they were treating so badly and not taking you seriously.
Good Luck.
Regards,
Alan
I think it's really good that you're willing to do the work in order to get CT the information they need. I'll hope this all will turn out well AND you'll have helped some other 68 owners, too.
I've read your other thread and I think I understand how you felt when they were treating so badly and not taking you seriously.
Good Luck.
Regards,
Alan
Fortunately, the other thread was open just long enough to gather enough data from '68 owner (and attention) to help make my case ironclad.
I was kinda surprised that that thread got closed, as I made it very clear that *my* personal problems were already resolved and I was trying to push the issue mostly for the benifit of the Greater Community. Well, I guess I know where the Greater Community stands vs The Money now.
-W
Last edited by Clams Canino; Oct 2, 2009 at 05:02 PM.
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