Aftermarket Brake Lines...Classic Tube or Inline Tube???

RedStarr1000 · Post by **RedStarr1000** » April 15, 2007, 8:38 am

I want to buy stainless steel brake lines for my 65' F100 long bed but I don't know who makes better ones...Classic Tube or Inline Tube??? Any thoughts guys?

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » April 15, 2007, 6:32 pm

Red.
I don't have an opinion on who is better, but because of liability issues, the quality would have to be comparable.
Thus, I'd get the one that is least expensive and closest to where you live......
just make sure they guarantee the fit for your truck, in writing.
FYI - realize the stainless is a lot harder so it takes extra effort to make sure the fittings seal properly. er ah, that would be..... crank them down big time until they quit leaking

.
U@ss

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » April 15, 2007, 10:24 pm

I have had NOTHING but trouble with the stainless lines that I put into my truck.

I did the brake lines myself (real PITA) and have fuel lines from inline tube.

The fuel lines from them were spot on, but they were custom lines copied from my 65 with a 240. I sent them my orignal lines for duplication. I told them they were welcome to use my lines as a template and offer 65-66 lines for 240/300 as a standard item, but their website does not list such an item.

HOWEVER: The stainless fuel lines were fine with my old gas tank. But it was FULL of rust, so I bought a new tank and ever since then, I cannot get the double flare fitting in the cab to seat. So I reek of gas on hot days....

My advice: Why do you want stainless? You going for a show truck and you plan to polish the lines? Maybe I can see it then. But, assuming you are just restoring or driving it, you are BETTER off with mild steel lines. None of use are going to drive/use out trucks now in a way that stainless lines would add some real benefit, in terms of corrosion resistance.

Honestly.

I actually plan to order a new cab line and replace the stainless line in there. The fuel tank fitting looks fine -- I am convinced that stainless just lacks the maleability that is needed to seat double flare fittings correctly.

64Ranger · Post by **64Ranger** » April 16, 2007, 11:34 am

Hey Red....welcome...it nice to see another SoCal Slickster.
I also put stainless brake lines and fuel lines on my 64 sb. I got them locally at:
Bonaco Inc.
1846 w. 11th St. Unit 1
Upland, CA 91786
909-985-3429

They carry 20' lengths of stainless tubing 3/16" - 3/4". They also carry all the stainless and ANC fittings for brake lines, fuel lines and vacuum lines. They will cut your brake lines to length and put the double flare on the ends. They have a machine that does the double flair on stainless. It is pretty hard, if not impossible to do that by hand on stainless.

Let me know if you need any more info.

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » April 16, 2007, 11:00 pm

64Ranger wrote:It is pretty hard, if not impossible to do that by hand on stainless.

Ahh, the perils of youth. I managed to actually double flare my own brake lines with a hand held double flare unit. Nightmarish...... Broke several pilots, and had quite time getting all the leaks out. But we got it done, and now I wish I hadn't, as I am afraid that whenever I need to change brake hoses, or master cylinder or prop valve I will have leaks all over again.

I repeat: Unless you are doing a show truck, avoid stainless!