'66 FRT TO REAR BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT

[Rob A.]

When converting from manual to power brakes, can the new front to rear line be replaced without lifting the body? It looks like a tough fit.

[Berton E.]

Re: '66 FRT TO REAR BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT

I replaced all the brake lines on my '66 power brake car last winter and while it is difficult, it can be done. I cut the old line in half to get it out without disturbing the bends any more than necessary. Putting the new line in required a fair amount of "adjustment", particularly at the rear of the run, but I was able to get it properly configured again using the old line and the junction block as a guide. The other fun part was trying to get the mounting bracket bolts back into the mounting holes. Some are not readily accessible because the body is close. I think I also had to shorten one up slightly where there was very little clearance. At the front end, be careful when running the line up to the master cylinder that it doesn't scratch anything up. Some towels or other padding can save the paint in the engine compartment. I ran the line first, then installed the master cylinder "dry" (before bench bleeding) so I had time to align it properly without worrying about fluid leaking.

Good luck.

[Rob A.]

Re: '66 FRT TO REAR BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT

Thanks, sounds like one of those jobs you have to plan a couple of days for. How far off the ground was your car to enable you to remove and replace the lines?

[Timothy B.]

Re: '66 FRT TO REAR BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT

I did the line replacement on my 67 with the car simply on jack stands, but I must say is was no easy job. I had to add all sorts of extra bends to the new line to be able to thread it in there, and then bend it back once through the frame slots. It IS possible.