The I'm-Learning-As-I-Go 1965 Valiant Post
I kinda learned this the hard way. Normal 3/8 box end wrenches will round out a 3/8-24 flare nut. If you don't already have one, buy a 3/8 flare nut wrench. It grabs 5 out of 6 of the flat surfaces, vs the standard 2 surfaces. More grabby.
When I finished the hard lines to the rear, I inspected the rear rubber flex line, only to find a massive crack in it. I had already purchased and installed a pair of OEM hoses, but both are (1) rubber, which expands when the the hydraulic system is loaded, and (2) made in China (doh!), and figured that any rear line I purchased would also be made in China.
So I opted to get some braided stainless hoses made, courtesy of my local hydraulic shop, Hydra Air Pacific.
The fronts were fairly easy to replicate, and I had them add 2 inches in length to the OEMs, to prevent binding through the full range of suspension motion... but the single rear line had an issue. One end of the hose was a pretty standard 3/8-24 female connection, but the other end was a crimped-on fitting with a 7/16 mounting hole (to the rear axle housing) that split into two 3/8-24 female to mount a hard line going to each drum brake.
Problem was, they didn't have this fitting. Or rather, one that would work.
So I found one on Jegs, Earl's 972052 Tee Brake Adapter.
And then looked for the part on Amazon. $20, with free shipping to Hawaii. And then had Hydra Air fab the rear hose, with 3 additional inches in length.
Installed the Earl's fitting...
Hooked up the rear and the front hoses...
And dropped the car off the stands. Huzzah! Progress!
Next: bleeding time!
I kinda learned this the hard way. Normal 3/8 box end wrenches will round out a 3/8-24 flare nut. If you don't already have one, buy a 3/8 flare nut wrench. It grabs 5 out of 6 of the flat surfaces, vs the standard 2 surfaces. More grabby.
When I finished the hard lines to the rear, I inspected the rear rubber flex line, only to find a massive crack in it. I had already purchased and installed a pair of OEM hoses, but both are (1) rubber, which expands when the the hydraulic system is loaded, and (2) made in China (doh!), and figured that any rear line I purchased would also be made in China.
So I opted to get some braided stainless hoses made, courtesy of my local hydraulic shop, Hydra Air Pacific.
The fronts were fairly easy to replicate, and I had them add 2 inches in length to the OEMs, to prevent binding through the full range of suspension motion... but the single rear line had an issue. One end of the hose was a pretty standard 3/8-24 female connection, but the other end was a crimped-on fitting with a 7/16 mounting hole (to the rear axle housing) that split into two 3/8-24 female to mount a hard line going to each drum brake.
Problem was, they didn't have this fitting. Or rather, one that would work.
So I found one on Jegs, Earl's 972052 Tee Brake Adapter.
And then looked for the part on Amazon. $20, with free shipping to Hawaii. And then had Hydra Air fab the rear hose, with 3 additional inches in length.
Installed the Earl's fitting...
Hooked up the rear and the front hoses...
And dropped the car off the stands. Huzzah! Progress!
Next: bleeding time!