I'd second Bill. Replace everything with steel lines, AN fittings and
stainless braided. The bulb-type are not designed for repeated
assy/disassy.
Ripping the whole mess out and replacing everything with AN will cost
more initially, but save alot of time, trouble, and heartache later on.
Make sure you flare (single flare) with a real AN flare. AN <> SAE flare
found in American cars.
I'd refer you to Carol Smith on the subject of fasteners and fittings.
He's pretty much the definitive word on the subject. Every 'real' race
car I've ever looked at and every aircraft I've ever looked at uses AN
fittings. There is a good reason for it.
iii
Bill Babcock wrote:
>
> Wow, I'd replace the hole shooting match with a simple T and braided
> lines.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brad Kahler [mailto:Brad.Kahler@141.com]
> Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2001 7:59 AM
> To: fot@autox.team.net
> Subject: brake line question
> Sensitivity: Confidential
>
> Amici,
>
> In reworking (repairing) the brake system on Susan's race
> spitfire I've ran into some of the PO modifications to the
> stock system.
>
> What started the brake rework was the decision to switch from
> the single circuit master cylinder to the safer dual circuit
> design as used on later Triumphs.
>
> Fitting of the M/C was no problem and I was able to order new
> brake lines from TRF for installing the dual circuit M/C and
> PDWA.
>
> Where I ran into problems is on the Tee fitting mounted on
> frame where the M/C main line connected into. What the PO
> had done was to modify each of the fittings connecting to the
> Tee by the use of some kind of "T" shaped ferrule that appeared
> to be crimped onto the end of the brake line in place of the
> bulb type flare as originally found on these brake lines. Its
> rather hard to describe the ferrules he used as I've never seen
> anything like them before.
>
> Where the real problem lies is how he connected the modified
> brake lines to the Tee. On the line going to the left front
> brake he modifed a standard AN type fitting by brazing on an
> extension to the fitting to allow it to bottom out in the Tee
> for proper sealing. Not pretty but I guess it works.
>
> For the lines going to the right front brake caliper and the
> line from the M/C he took a standard double ended AN fitting
> and used an O-ring on the fitting where it screws into the Tee.
> The fittings wern't long enough to reach the bottom of the Tee
> where a metal to metal type seal could take place. He was
> relying on the rubber o-ring to provide the sealing between the
> fitting and the Tee. This particular modification I don't
> like at all. As near as I can tell the Tee and the AN
> fittings weren't designed for o-ring sealing.
>
> I would like to convert back to the proper type flare on the
> brake lines. My understanding is by using a standard double
> flare brake tool I can create the same "bulb" type flare like
> those used on the original brake lines. Am I right or wrong
> here?!!
>
> Thanks!
>
> Brad
|