Single Or Double Flare Brake Lines in My '53?

[keithb7]

Did some reasearch here. Cannot find my answer. I'm away from home, no access to my manuals. 

I need to replace a few brake lines when I get home. I'm thinking about gathering up some tooling before I start. I have not pulled a  line yet. 

Does my '53 Windsor utilize single or double flare lines? I want to buy the right flaring tool here soon. Thx. 

[Young Ed]

double

[keithb7]

Thank you @Young Ed. Tools were just purchased. Ready to go when I get home. 

Edited August 5, 2017 by keithb7

[Plymouthy Adams]

it is nice to have your own tools for this...HOWEVER.....if you only randomly do this type work, you can get the tools for free use at most Advance and other big box stores....its a heck of a deal......

[Don Coatney]

I also do suggest you do a few practice double flares to insure you know how to use the new tool.

[Oldguy48]

Make certain you slip the fitting on the line BEFORE you make the flare !!  And I mention that simply because I made a few flares before realizing I DIDN'T slip the fitting on, and had to start over!!  I guess I needed the extra practice !

 

Wayne

[keithb7]

Will do. Thanks folks. It's been at least a few decades since I think I used a double flare tool in trade school. I will be sure do a few practice runs. 

I am gathering the pieces for some serious brake work. 

Drum puller. Check. Steel  lines. Double flare tool. Tube bender. Check. Mity-Vac. Master cylinder rebuild kit. Check. New brake pressure switch. New flex lines  

Will wait until after the big car show and Poker Run next Sat. Then I'm digging in. 

Edited August 5, 2017 by keithb7

[thebeebe5]

15 hours ago, Oldguy48 said:

Make certain you slip the fitting on the line BEFORE you make the flare !!  And I mention that simply because I made a few flares before realizing I DIDN'T slip the fitting on, and had to start over!!  I guess I needed the extra practice !

 

Wayne

 Nothing like the school of experience to drive this lesson home….

[plyroadking]

The biggest thing I've learned with making double flares is to spend some time cleaning up your cut. I file them perfectly flat and polish with some fine sandpaper and then take a round jeweler's file to the inside. Takes a while but you'll get a perfect double flare every time.

[BigDaddyO]

21 hours ago, Oldguy48 said:

Make certain you slip the fitting on the line BEFORE you make the flare !!  And I mention that simply because I made a few flares before realizing I DIDN'T slip the fitting on, and had to start over!!  I guess I needed the extra practice !

 

Wayne

Also, make sure the nut is facing the correct way...

And clamp that baby up tight too.

 

[Dartgame]

Take a look at the autoparts store for this newer line material in nickel copper. Bends easy and flares beautifully and is DOT approved...

[thebeebe5]

1 hour ago, Dartgame said:

Take a look at the autoparts store for this newer line material in nickel copper. Bends easy and flares beautifully and is DOT approved...

I replaced the entire brake system  in my '37 with that steel nickel copper alloy line.   Wonderful stuff.  Easier to bend by hand than with a bender....   AND it won't ever rust. 

[medium_jon]

On 8/5/2017 at 5:02 PM, Oldguy48 said:

Make certain you slip the fitting on the line BEFORE you make the flare !

Yep. I did two ends wrong because of that oversight. Luckily I hadn't flared the opposite end of one line -- thus only ruined one line.