Ridler79

Does the brake booster vaccum hose have to be a hard line? I've seen others replace this with a rubber vacuum hose as it is a pain to get around when removing the valve covers.

I've searched for the part but generally get rubber vacuum hoses listed and not the hard line that is attached to the back of the carb via a nut, another challenge there.

Recommendation on suggested part and where to source appreciated or should I bend my own?

Easy Mike

My .02: keep what you have. You can loosen the fitting at the base of the carb and flip the line out of the way when playing with valve covers.

my 76 ray

To answer your question, a hose will work as long as it holds vacuum without collapsing.

Jeff_Keryk

There's a special type of hose for the booster.

Ridler79

When I try to loosen the fitting at the base of the carb the hose twists, perhaps it's seized. I'll try some anti seize and hope for the best.

7T1vette

If you have a synthetic rubber hose, why are you bothering to remove the fitting? Just slice off the old rubber hose and put on a new one.

[As mentioned, it needs to be sturdy enough so that it will not collapse under full manifold vacuum...after it has been thoroughly warmed in the engine compartment.]

A 'good' auto parts store should have folks that know which hose is capable of handling manifold vacuum (brake booster vacuum hose).

TurboStitchCW

I have a rubber hose that I removed from my vacuum booster when switching to manual brakes.....if you're interested.

Booster to carb hose seen here:

Iron_dog

...unless you have a leak.
If you have a leak, consider it's very hard to find the correct part because these hose changes their shape almost every year (for my 74 for example was one year shape...). Replacing with a rubber hose can be done, just search NAPA for the right fitting.
You can check my thread for more info.

THIS THREAD