Brake Line Frustration!

I've had it with all of these "perfect" reproduction fuel and brake line products being sold these days, I have yet to find one example that's truly accurate, some are close, others are closer, but some are outright junk! Case in point, the master cylinder lines for my 71 Duster, I bought a set from the two leading companies, neither product matches my originals, one of them could be bent and contorted to fit but won't look right and the other is generic junk and unusable.

So, I'm going to make my own. What can you guys suggest to get me started? I haven't bent up any lines in a while so I need info on current tools (quality benders, flaring tools, etc.) and the best source for fittings and tubing.

Thanks!

Might it be easier to send out your originals to a reputable brake line company and have them bend them up to match yours?

Ok, I'm game....Name one.

I see some things never change...

Had issues with a 'reputable' outfit 20 years ago...


(No names, but they're about 25 minutes north of here)...

This is after I talked to them very specifically about what I had...


They wanted to see the originals, which I still have...

Fine Lines didn't list any fuel pump to carb lines for my 73 318. They didn't have any originals to use as a pattern. I sent in my original lines and they made me a new set. I'm sure they would do the same for you.

I assume you already got a set of lines from them and they weren't correct. They should be able to use your originals as a pattern though. I said I wanted to keep my original lines and they sent them back.

I had the same problem with one of the line companies this past winter.

Even took my originals to the place twice before they got (most) of the bends correct.

If you have patience and your original lines as templates then you can get good reproductions made based off the original lines.

Now I'm afraid to say but the lines for my AAR fit great, got them from Inline Tube, seems some have issues with them but they were great for me. Now I'm waiting for the blast, am I going to have just mentioned one of the two Scott bought incorrect lines from?

That said, I do remember something funky about their order page and it being backwards, almost caused me to order the wrong part. I told them about it but never checked to see if they fixed it.

Ugh: I ran into this with my orange Challenger. Fortunately I had the old lines so I cut all the nice new plated fittings off the new lines and bent up new ones using the old patterns. Unfortunately I have to go down this same road with my new (but PB this time) Challenger but without the old ones as patterns. I feel your pain.

Sheldon

When we had our 70 El camino SS 396, they did not have the original steel lines for the rear air shocks. We sent them to Fine Lines and they copied them exact !

Scott,I don't think any of the suppliers can get it 100% correct, this one has been a nightmare with transmission cooler lines,fuel lines and brake lines.All from a major vendors that is supposed to have the correct lines.Transmission cooler lines were listed specifically 62/65 b-body,they didn't fit,when contacted they said well,they're close,you may have to do a little bending!

Scott

I use Rigid Tools benders. Nice,tight bends. I make most of my own lines.Not to complain but new lines are like a lot of repop parts ....close,or almost right.

pricey but they work well,

https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/400-series-instrument-benders

We have a selection of them and some other Tight radius benders for smaller lines when the above mentioned unit won't quite get us there. And A multitude of flaring tools as well. Pricey but I bought then as I needed them size wise .

Thanks all!

Get a Mastercool hydraulic flaring kit, use high dollar plated steel fittings, and get some tight radius benders. I gave up on having lines made years ago. If you are building a hotrod I'd use cunifer.

This is where I shop:

http://www.fedhillusa.com/

Does anyone have a direct contact or link to Fine Lines? All I can find are distributors selling them online.

I agree with the OP. I've has nothing but trouble with reproduction lines. Inline Tube is by far the worst. If you notice, all of the bends on a CNC-bent line have the same bend radius. Most OEM lines have a variety of bend radii. I think the CNC software is not sophisticated enough to recalculate the bend locations when using a different bend radius. The CNC bender needs to be able to duplicate the original bend radii in order to accurately reproduce a line.

When I get back to the office today, I'll pm you my contact at Fine Lines. I highly recommend them.