C2 rear brake line installation

[Eugene B.]

Members,
Thanks to all who responded to my intitial posting and provided advice. I was successful at getting the old line removed from my '65. It was not especially difficult because I am not re-using it.

Question for today is how should I go about installing the new line.

1) Should I start the new line in from the engine compartment or from the rear fender well?

2) Should I work from the out-board side (through the rocker panel opening) or from inside the frame?

3) How should I deal with those two difficult clips on the front of the frame? I just bent them upward to free the old line.

All advice is welcomed and appreciated. If it matters, the car is setting on jack stands and the body is on the frame.

Thanks guys,
Gene

[Mike S.]

Re: C2 rear brake line installation

Gene -

Others may have done their's differently, since the condition of body mounts, the relative position of the body to the frame, collision damage, and a host of other variables may make other methods easier.

I worked from under the car (on a Kwiklift). After removing the old main line and line clips (except the most forward clip on the straight frame section, which I cut on the frame side and bent back in place later), I inserted the new line, from the front, through the center crossmember. I had the flared ends well taped to avoid damage. I then just played with getting the back section up and over the next crossmember where the brass block is mounted. I had to turn and twist and reposition the line to do so, and I tried to avoid sharp or small diameter bends in the line. I tried to keep the back section intact, making gentle bends instead in the longer forward section of the line.

Be sure you keep the old line for reference - it will come in handy during installation. I would also suggest taking digital pictures to supplement the old memory.

Good luck with the project,

Mike

[Larry S.]

Re: C2 rear brake line installation

I worked different then mike.

I worked from under the car on a 4 post lift.I started snaking the line up and thru to the rear section first,(I had felt those bends where the most important to keep as the line was shipped)I then rounded the line out (A nice sweeping soft comfortable circle)then I snaked it thru the cross member working the line foward slowley,Although it would have made more sence to do it as mike had done (because there is less line to snake thru the cross member toward the rear)I wanted to keep the line as it was bent.and felt the front section was staighter and easyer to rebend it to as it was shipped.

I also made my conection to the brass block prior to connecting the brass block to the car