63 brake line - is copper OK

[Keith W.]

Just had the 63 up on ramps the brake line from the rear weaving through the body and frame has almost gone so it's time to replace - while I know that the better option is to go with stainless steel, or at worst steel, the local shop can replace with copper to keep it tucked out the way - as always any advice always appreciated.
cheers Keith
England now non Europe

[Scott S.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

Not recommended, Would not pass a safety in Ontario.
Scott

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

If you replace the brakeline with copper please don't let anyone ride with you unless you want them killed!!!!!!
Copper brake lines should never be used. Copper will not take the pressure generated by the system. Using TBW or stainless is your only choice for safety.
Please tell us that you won't use copper! Or RIP!

JR

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

Keith, They do make a copper/nickel line that the auto parts stores sell are you sure your shop was not speaking of that? Here in the northeast the winters are tuff on steel brake lines. these type of lines tend to be a little more flexible and can bend in tight spaces and do not rust and can be double flared.

[Keith W.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

Thanks guys, there an auto shop / garage will check what they use I suspect that it is copper and nickel, ( the guy did say he could bend it into the current position, we also get rock salt put down in winter times) which would get shortened slang to just copper - so that's settled copper on its own is a no no - will investigate cheers guys


So so this is the brake pipe - all good

BRAKE PIPE - Copper Nickel
Coupro Nickel



For those interested past history
http://www.copper.org/applications/automotive/brake-tube/brake.html

[David R.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

That copper/nickel stuff is great to flair and bend. Much easier that the plain steel stuff.......but I wonder about its strength. Is it as strong as the pure steel line?

Why not just get a pre-bent line as a replacement? Too difficult to install "On-car"? Rather inexpensive here in the states.

Pure copper line is definitely a bad choice.

Cheers!

[Keith W.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

David - pre bent would mean I have to lift the body off to get it to fit right, the copper nickel option allows it to be bent and formed in the similar way to the org one. To get a car through the government roar test over here MOT/ the brake pipes have to meet minimum standards I guess it's the same over there.
Cheers Keith

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

Copper has very poor fatigue resistance, which makes it unsuitable for any kind of vibration environment, so it's not suitable for any kind of automotive application.

The '63 frame brake pipe is retained by spring clips, so it's easier to remove than later models where the clips are screwed to the frame. Brake pipe is fairly easy to bend with a proper tube bender.

Decades ago when I replaced mine I used two four or five foot lengths of brake pipe, which required a splice, but with a tube bender and inverted flair tool, it was a relatively straight forward task. A test with air pressure prior to installation showed that the splice was leaking, but a couple or additional cycles on the B-nuts sealed it up.

Duke

[Keith W.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

Duke appreciate the comments - sounds like a plan, 2 pipes would make it much easier to work with, will contact the local garage and talk through the job - cheers Keith

[John D.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

Scary post here gang as it reminded me of when I was a kid with my 1930 Ford Coupe hotrod. I put 46-48 Ford brakes on it. Or some year of early Ford as forget. With copper brake lines made by yours truly. Was going down a very steep hill on the old Lincoln Highway when the brake pedal went to the floor. Luckily the emergency brake worked or I wouldn't be writing this now. Copper line issues for sure. JD

[Jack J.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

Scary post here gang as it reminded me of when I was a kid with my 1930 Ford Coupe hotrod. I put 46-48 Ford brakes on it. Or some year of early Ford as forget. With copper brake lines made by yours truly. Was going down a very steep hill on the old Lincoln Highway when the brake pedal went to the floor. Luckily the emergency brake worked or I wouldn't be writing this now. Copper line issues for sure. JD

Did the line rupture upon inspection?

[Brian M.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

If using copper this is the way to go. http://www.surrauto.com/brake.html

[Dan B.]

Re: 63 brake line - is copper OK

I had a similar situation on a DD Chevy Silverado 2004. All the original steel brake lines were badly rusted (deep pits). Was not going to do a body off to replace the lines, so I bought 2 rolls of NI-Copp (nickel /Copper) line which is dedicated brake line NOT to be confused with plain copper (which is a no no). Can't beat it for ease of bending and corrosion protection period. The only negative is the appearance (starts out copper and browns over time) and that would only bother me on a car I was showing or having judged.
In fact in the North East, it is getting pretty hard to find the old steel tubing anymore in most places as this stuff has replaced it almost completely at the local auto parts stores. Here's the company page : http://agscompany.com/product-catego...-lines/nicopp/ Dan