Brake Line Removal - 1965

[Donald T.]

Re: I guessed that 2 clips were near EOP modificat

"My personal opinion is that anyone that would pull a body loose from the frame (and all the associated components) and take a chance on screwing up something else just to replace a main front/rear brake line has a screw loose or isn't thinking."

Well, I always knew I wasn't quite right, but it's nice to finally have a diagnoses!

I don't think it's a bad idea at all, just as long as you know what you are getting yourself into. You can expect to break the body mount bolts or spin the caged nuts, so you will likely be welding on new body mounts. It also gives you the opportunity to clean and paint the frame; lift the other side and replace the fuel line; repair or replace rocker brackets; replace body mount hardware, document frame number, etc. It's a lot of work but body lift gives you the opportunity to replace fuel and brake lines the right way and deal with a lot of other issues while you're at it.

Don
(comfortably ensconced in a room with padded walls)

[Wayne M.]

Precisely; did a bunch of other stuff while there

Was the middle of winter (ice and snow outside) the garage was warm, was always curious about frame VIN derivative stampings [was worth the 3" lift just for that alone]. My body mount bolts came loose without too much grief.

Was my winter project and I was left with a feeling of accomplishment in the end.

[Dick W.]

Re: Precisely; did a bunch of other stuff while th

I wished that I had made photos of a '65 brake line that I replaced several years ago. Frame had very minor surface corrosion. Started to remove the line from the clips and it broke into several pieces. It was corroded on the inside as well as the outside. Scary though that I had driven this car at 65 mph the day before. As a safety issue, it is worth the time and effort to replace a 40 year old brake line.

[Wayne M.]

Here's the double clips on '65 last day production

Sorry for the dirt and limited view angle, but the body is on the car now.

Reference: Lying on ground under car, shooting up; left is inboard, top of photo is forward; you can see the 2 clips around the brake line.

[Mike McKown]

Having a screw loose is not terminal nor

is it even serious.

If you're doing all the other little things "while you're in there", maybe okay. Just to replace the line, I'd do it again exactly the way I did it and wait for the body off (which will never happen in my lifetime) to make it factory correct.

Dick makes a good point about those brake lines being rusty. I'm sure many are ready to pop if they're original. I see a lot of interest in installing dual master cylinders but not many mention replacing that line.