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Brake line size dilema. -Now an E-brake question-

scottishdave

scottishdave

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Somebody may have ran into this before, I called ORD and a Chris? told me that 1st gens are really the only chevy's that run into this problem.

Problem, I have a extended rear brake line from ORD. Where the hard line that runs from the front of the truck to the rear connects to the soft line, is 1/4" brake. Now the two hard lines coming off of each drum are both 1/4" brake line also. The problem is, that on the bottom of the ORD soft line, the connections are for 3/16" brake line.

I cant run 3/16 brake lines from the drum to the soft line as the fitting on the drum side would need to be 1/4" and the other end 3/16.

Now i need to know if there are fittings that drops from a 1/4" to 3/16. If so, then easy fix.

Other than an adapter fitting, i am at a loss. ORD tells me that they do not make a soft line with 1/4 on both ends:confused:

Any ideas gents?

IMG_3122.jpg

IMG_3123.jpg
 
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I have a vague recollection of this same issue on my own swap... I think I found some sort of brass adapter block and fittings that resolved it (we're talking rear axle, right)?

Let me check my photos and see if I can find something for you.


:usaflag:
 
Bad photo, but this is the best I've got....

RearBrakefitting.jpg


It's basically a square brass block with a threaded fitting to receive the stainless brakeline from above.... the two side ports go out to the drums. The one I bought could not screw directly into those factory brakeline threads, so there was another M/F adapter on each side that converted them to fit the brass block itself.

Sorry I don't know all thread types off the top of my head.....Search-Fu will probably help you get those before you head to the local autoparts store.


:usaflag:
 
That's the way to go. My extended line connects to a brass tee adapter that splits to the two rear disks with 3/16" line. I can get a better pic of mine tomorrow if you need one.
 
What extended line do you use then? The one i got from ORD is similar to a stock one in that it has female connections for the two hard lines coming from the drums. I would need something to thread onto the hard line that droped down a size and thread into the extended line...make sence? lol

But a pic and info on what extended brake line you got would be great. I dont mind just buying a new line if it works better.
 
Napa or any other parts store should have a bunch of assorted fittings for what you need to do. I had to inform the guy at oreillys that they had a bin in the back:rolleyes:
 
Yeah, I have a feeling i am just going to be in the back of Orielly's for an hour or so trying to make something work. Get ready for pic's of 13 fittings all together to make this thing work out:doah:
 
scottishdave said:
Yeah, I have a feeling i am just going to be in the back of Orielly's for an hour or so trying to make something work. Get ready for pic's of 13 fittings all together to make this thing work out:doah:
Click to expand...

On mine, there was a reducer fitting up at the frame for the drop line to attach to through a bracket. I never had any issue putting it all together without any other adaptors. I just used standard brake line sections from the parts store.


---
- -Brian
 
If I remember right I bought new ends for the brake lines and a double flair tool and just put the right size on. There was (at least for me) plenty of extra length to do this. I also had some issue like this on the fronts as well. I think for that I just used an adapter. No wait It's comming back, for the front the ORD lines (Which come from a company here in Chula Vista) have a deep socket and my stock nipple was too short to reach the sealing taper so I tried to cut the ORD end and cut it too short so when I tightened it it stripped so then Stephen gave me the hose makers address and I went and bought a new line then just used the adapter thingie to get the right fit. WHEW! That was kinda painful having all that memory flood back so early on a Sunday morning.
 
chalet2506 said:
Did you get the front lines on yet?
Click to expand...


Sure did...PITA they were. Sneaking a line wrench past the header into the frame channel and getting about a 1/16th of a turn before reseting the wrench took forever and was rather uncomfortable. Thank god the brass didnt strip, otherwise i would have been in a right good mess.

The the hard line size and the soft extended lines were the correct size and matched up, so no problems there.
 
Good info, thanks. I talked to Chris a while back and when he mentioned the 3/16" issue, I thought he was talking about the front lines. Guess I'll go ahead and order a kit for my 72.
 
Searched around a bit without much help..

What have you guys done to address the E-brake cable on drum brakes being short after a lift?
 
There are a lot of cobwebs on those particular memories, but I think you might be able to swap for a set of cables off a van or longwheelbase truck to get some extra length??? :dunno: At the very least there might be a way to cut and move the cable hangers to help create some extra slack.

My solution was a lot less elegant. Did a rear disk conversion immediately and then spent stupid money on a HAD rear CV-driveshaft with integral parking brake. Talk about buying my way out of a simple problem.....


:usaflag:
 
Think i might just "ghetto" my way out of the problem and disconnect the line from the drum but leave the rest where they are. That way i will be able to enjoy the vehicle and figure out a nice solution when i get around to it. Talked with a guy today who told me that new-er 1500's had pretty long cables so i might look into that.
 
Inline tube will custom build cables. Costs a little more, but takes the guesswork out of it.
 
Nah...think i am just going to tie the two into a knot under the truck and call it good.

But I mean, Ill make it a good knot you know, like a double knot.
 
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