I think this thread has be beaten to death before, but I'll throw my $0.02
worth in this time around.
Years ago I once worked in a oxygen plant that used heavy copper tubing for
high pressure transfill. Yes, with time the copper would develop more leaks
than steel and a lot more than the flex (braided) high pressure hose we used
later on. Having said that, the copper was easier to repair and I don't
remember any particular problems with major failure (blow-outs), but with
auto brakes, any leak has a better chance of having catastrophic results.
My $0.02? If you can fit it up once right, use steel (or better yet,
stainless steel). If you feel a need to tweak the system and are willing to
keep an eye on it, copper will work. Of course, always use flex hose were
you can anticipate major movement (front calipers, rear transition from
frame to body).
I would be very surprised if frame flex would work harden copper. Those old
oxygen pigtails use to sit for months (sometimes years) on end vibrating to
the tune of the pump prior to failure. They really jumped around some days.
If your frame is flexing that much you've got other problems.
kengano@advant.com
downstate illinois
1959 TR3A TS57756L
1958 Model 10 Sedan TBE9239LDLB
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of DANMAS@aol.com
> Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 1998 9:47 PM
> To: A.Nugent@unsw.edu.au; gernot.vonhoegen@stir.ac.uk
> Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: non-functional rear brakes
>
>
>
> In a message dated 98-06-24 22:33:25 EDT, A.Nugent@unsw.edu.au writes:
>
> > BTW, a friend of mine reckons copper brake lines will work-harden and
> > fatigue, due to vibration, and that I should stick with the
> factory steel
> > ones.
>
> Allen,
>
> This is outside my area of interest, but I won't let that stop me
> from having
> an opinion! Yes, copper pipe will work harden, as will steel, but
> only if you
> allow the pipe to flex from the vibrations. The pipe should be
> mounted rigidly
> enough to the frame rails that there is no flex. Any connections
> between two
> components that move with respect to each other should be of
> flexible hose.
>
> Will the frame flex enough to be a problem?
>
> I will be routing brake lines in my TR6/302 soon, so I will
> follow this thread
> with interest.
>
> I don't know which is best for brake lines, but copper is a
> better conductor
> of electricity than steel (just so I don't stray too far from
> something I know
> a little about!).
>
> Dan Masters,
> Alcoa, TN
>
> '71 TR6---------3000mile/year driver, fully restored
> '71 TR6---------undergoing full restoration and Ford 5.0 V8
> insertion - see:
> http://www.sky.net/~boballen/mg/Masters/
> '74 MGBGT---3000mile/year driver, original condition - slated for
> a V8 soon
> '68 MGBGT---organ donor for the '74
>
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