How do you fasten new brake lines to frame?

[MarcDeSoto]

I am trying to find a video that tells me how to fasten new brake lines to the frame of my 48 Desoto.  all the how to videos I watched only dealt with how to flare the lines, not how to attach them.  

[Andydodge]

It depends on whether you want a stock looking setup using 1/4" lines or a more late model setup using 3/16" brake lines........original brake lines were held firm by small sheet metal pieces either bolted onto the frame or spot welded as in the case onto the rear axle.......the end of the metal clamp was bent around the tube holding it firm.......the metal bracket was a rectangular shape about 3/8-7/16th by 1.5" long............if you are not concerned about originality then I'd use "Adel" clamps which originated in the aviation industry and can be obtained in virtualy any size from to hold a 1/8" tube up to 12" or more diameter, 3/16th and 1/4 Adel clamps are common and cheap, they use a metal clamp with a rubber/neoprene sleeve that results in a neat & tidy fixture, admittedly they must be screwed or bolted to the frame but are what most high end hotrods and race cars use..........any good engineering, hot rod, race car or aviation shop should stock them or know where to obtain them or online........just pinched this pic from ebay........andyd   

Edited March 24, 2020 by Andydodge
more info

[MarcDeSoto]

Thank you Andy for that excellent explanation.  I assume I can't use the original clamps.   I never even knew I could use 3/16" clamps.  Would that give more braking power?  

Marc.

[Andydodge]

Marc.........if you have the original bolt on clamps theres no reason why you can't reuse them, they as I mentioned generally are held onto the frame by a 3/8 I think SAE/AF headed bolt that has a special type of thread that creates its own thread when screwed into the frame when the lines are attached by the factory.....when undone these bolts leave the thread cut into the hole and so long as you have the little clamp or bracket you just reuse the bolt...........as for whether its a 3/16th or 1/4 size you just use the correct one for whichever size brake line.........its 10.30pm here so I'm not going out to check but am pretty sure the original brake lines are 1/4 tube.......but I could be wrong...........lol............andyd   

[Sam Buchanan]

Original brake lines on my 1948 P15 were 3/16" and that is what I used for the replacements.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Later today I'll get you some pics of factory installed 3/16" brake line fasteners.

Your car uses 3/16" brake lines.

Unless you car is really rusty underneath your factory clips and clamps shoul be easily re-useable.

 

Edited March 26, 2020 by Dodgeb4ya
Spelling

[Dodgeb4ya]

Jeez....I forgot...will.do it tomorrow?

Done....1948 Chrysler brake line clips...same as yours..

Edited March 26, 2020 by Dodgeb4ya

[Dartgame]

Those spring loaded clamps are available new as they were used on muscle era mopars and probably long after that too.

[MarcDeSoto]

Thanks Dodge, for those pics!  Looks easy now!  Marc.

[61farnham]

If your using copper or copper alloy tubing for your brakelines i'd recommend the rubber lined clips as posted above and placing the clips about a foot apart for better support as it's more prone to vibration than the original steel tubing.

[MarcDeSoto]

I'm using the new plastic brake lines.  The reason I asked about the clips in the first place is my car was given such a thick undercoating that a lot of stuff is covered up.  And the car spent its life in the Palm Springs area, but was undercoated like it was being driven in Michigan.  I love having a rust free car now, though!

[Dodgeb4ya]

Plastic isn't DOT approved.

Except air Brakes

 

Edited March 28, 2020 by Dodgeb4ya

[Andydodge]

I've never heard of plastic brake lines........where are they from?........andyd

[61farnham]

Had to google that, apparently they use nylon brake lines in some light aircraft kits and race cars for weight saving over metal lines, but as Dodgeb4ya states it's NOT for street use.

Edited March 28, 2020 by 61farnham

[Andydodge]

Yeh, I would like to be as sure as winning lotto that the Oz rego depts would allow plastic brake lines..............lol..........andyd

[Young Ed]

I'm guessing (and hoping) he's actually using the PVC coated steel lines. 

[MarcDeSoto]

Yes, I thought they were plastic, but they didn't pass the magnet test.  They stuck to my magnet like glue!  So Ed is right, they are metal lines coated in a black plastic.  But they look like they are 1/4".  I didn't know they were supposed to be 3/16.  They are kit, with the lines having tags saying what part of the car they go to.  Now I forgot where I bought it.  I don't have the name of the manufacturer.  I wonder if I should try to return these and get 3/16 lines.  Does anyone know a good place to buy brake line kits?  

[Sam Buchanan]

They may be 3/16” with an OD of about 1/4”.

[MarcDeSoto]

Oh, you're right Sam.  I forgot that 3/16" is smaller than 1/4"!  1/4" is 4/16"!  thanks for pointing that out, so I guess I'm good with these lines!  

 

[falconvan]

Bought a bag of these off of Ebay 10 years ago and still using them

[MarcDeSoto]

Thanks, falcon, they look good.  It's simpler than I thought!  Mine are all covered in undercoating, so they are probably still good.