Matt Drayer's Journal
Home Page: Matt Drayer
Marblehead, MA, USA
| Total Posts: 42 | Latest Post: 2023-08-29 |
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This project is really starting to move now. Unboxing the Automec kit rolled right into installation of the front brake system hard lines.
I've only ever installed one hard line in the past, and I did it without a cutting tool, flaring tool, or bending tool -- so you can imagine how that turned out.
The Automec kit is really nice because all of the lines are pre-cut, pre-flared, and pre-fitted. However they are not pre-bent and so this was what I learned all about during this step of the restoration. And, of course, learning means you make mistakes, usually a lot of them.
In particular I had a major mess-up with the #2 brake line -- the one that runs from the brake switch on the drivers side (for 1979 models) across the front crossmember to the passenger side flexible brake line connection. Because the Automec kits are cut so precisely, you need to run the line exactly as the designer intended. Of course, I tried to be clever and run the line in a more pretty, contouring way, which would have required an additional 8-10 inches of line, at least.
I ended up needing to unbend the line and restart, which resulted in a final install with a bit of a wavy-looking first half of the line. Suffice to say I edited this entire frustrating bit out for the YouTube crowd, although my frustration and language probably would have been quite entertaining to watch
Finally, the brake line bending tool is atrocious -- it's big, clunky, and the bend radii it creates are a good size maybe for a Peterbuilt, but not for a little British car. I wish I had purchased the Automec small bender, since the end result would have been very nice, I think. Oh well, the things you learn...
<br/>Marblehead MG - Episode 15: Front Brake Lines
I've only ever installed one hard line in the past, and I did it without a cutting tool, flaring tool, or bending tool -- so you can imagine how that turned out.
The Automec kit is really nice because all of the lines are pre-cut, pre-flared, and pre-fitted. However they are not pre-bent and so this was what I learned all about during this step of the restoration. And, of course, learning means you make mistakes, usually a lot of them.
In particular I had a major mess-up with the #2 brake line -- the one that runs from the brake switch on the drivers side (for 1979 models) across the front crossmember to the passenger side flexible brake line connection. Because the Automec kits are cut so precisely, you need to run the line exactly as the designer intended. Of course, I tried to be clever and run the line in a more pretty, contouring way, which would have required an additional 8-10 inches of line, at least.
I ended up needing to unbend the line and restart, which resulted in a final install with a bit of a wavy-looking first half of the line. Suffice to say I edited this entire frustrating bit out for the YouTube crowd, although my frustration and language probably would have been quite entertaining to watch
Finally, the brake line bending tool is atrocious -- it's big, clunky, and the bend radii it creates are a good size maybe for a Peterbuilt, but not for a little British car. I wish I had purchased the Automec small bender, since the end result would have been very nice, I think. Oh well, the things you learn...
<br/>Marblehead MG - Episode 15: Front Brake Lines
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