Art of running brake lines, bending etc

[cactuss4]

Soooo I'm not as lucky as I was hoping. Well not true. Had I not went ahead and looked at mounting the adjustable Wilwood prop valve, I would of been fine and dandy. But that would of meant using the stock style prop valve and I bought the adjustable for a reason (really just in case I needed it).

So now it's probably time since I have brake line, I have a flaring kit, I have a pipe cutter etc, to learn how to cleanly bend lines. How to best run them etc.

If I remove all the stainless brake lines from the car and run copper (not really copper, some new stuff that has been talked about before on here) hardlines to the various frame junctions, what is the best route to take and do I create loops (something I've read). While it seems things are easier without motor etc.etc. There has to be a clever, clean way to route brake lines while things are in the car.

So I'm looking for examples, opinions and for a beer and a steak I could even hand over the controls to my tools and supplies and have someone teach me :)

83270

[no go nova]

In for answer also.

[CTSV]

well i watched my builder do all of my custom lines and even today they were doing more on another build. here is their trick. they use 3/16 aluminum armature wire they get from an art supply store, it bends like cake. they make an exact template using this material then carefully transfer to the actual stainless tubing. they have all sorts of tubing benders etc so plan to invest in some good tools. the tools they use are from Brake Quip and Imperial. good luck it really isnt that difficult once you plan it all out. my entire car was done in 1 day and looks awesome and my car had some complicated front bends to clear lots of components.

[snappytravis]

I used 1/8 inch filler rod, You can buy it at the welding shop, Same principal, Make a mock up of how you want it, then build another one. Sometimes you have to be creative, I have also laid the tubing out on poster board and traced it. For a fuel line running down the frame rail.

[Damn True]

Tony Huntimer did a fantastic piece on the process a few years ago for CP. I'd dig it up myself but I'm on my phone right now and S-I's website search is a bit clunky.

[mitch_04]

I would like to see that if you get around to it!

[Schwartz Performance]

I think this is what Damn True was referring to. http://www.camaroperformers.com/camaro-tech/general/camp-0904-fuel-line-instruction/viewall.html

It's about fuel line but obviously a similar process.

We use a small pliers-like bender for brake line, it works great. Same thing that Brakequip offers, maybe Eastwood too.
Practice is the main thing.. You can work front to back or back to front, depends on materials and other items involved like prop valve, residual valves etc.

-Dale

[Damn True]

That's the one Dale. Thanks.

[bs46488]

In that pic, is that your set up? Is that braided line or covered hard line?

I am in the process of upgrading to a hydroboost. I had to bend a couple of custom lines to merge the MC to the prop valve, to the factory brake lines. I also replace a couple of factory lines. Bending the lines was a lot easier than I thought...but flaring them was a pain in the butt.

I started with the normal bending tools, but towards the end I was finding I was using more objects in my garage to help form the lines and curves.