AmericanPie

Thanks again for all the guidance guys. So I'm on my way with this project. I've sent my master out to Apple Hydraulics for a complete sleeve and rebuild. My '65 does have the more "common" master, but all the replacements are made offshore and have a different type of casting. I want to keep the original appearance. I've also ordered a new brake line kit. After some consideration and research I ultimately decided to go with Classic Tube. I'll probably order the flex lines from Classic Industries. While I'm waiting for the parts to arrive I can install the factory power booster kit and start disassembling the lines. The only other thing I need to decide is where to buy the wheel cylinders. If I just do a stock rebuild, I'll probably get them from NAPA. I visited one of their stores today, and they don't look bad. Anyway, they're probably about as good as I'll get. But as an alternative to a stock rebuild, there's a company in Texas called "Muscle Car Brakes" that makes a drum brake upgrade with ceramic shoes that's supposed to outperform the OE brakes. They offer a complete kit using all-new products (including wheel cylinders) made in the USA and Canada, and their prices seem pretty reasonable. I've read a few positive reviews on other forums: does anybody here have experience with them?

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I agree that if I DIDN'T replace the steel lines, I'd always feel as though I didn't do a thorough job. Not a good thing to be weighing on your mind every time you drive your car! A few more questions before I start disassembling things and ordering parts. I've never done a "complete" brake system restoration like this before, with new steel lines and all. Do the aftermarket lines generally fit pretty well? Just wondering how big of a project to expect. I've heard good things about Inline Tube; according to their website all their products are made in USA. Great! Classic Industries is close to me and they carry all the lines I'd need; possibly they're a also supplier for Inline Tube. Are they a pretty good source for parts, such as shoes, rebuilt wheel cylinders or rebuild kits, hardware, etc.? The last brake job I did on this car was about 30 years ago but it's accumulated very few actual miles. I believe most if not all the hardware currently on the car is American-made. The rubber has deteriorated but I might be able to re-use much of my hardware, and maybe even the shoes if they haven't become contaminated with brake fluid. My wheel cylinders can probably be rebuilt; don't know about the master. Should I consider re-using some or all of these parts, or just completely replace everything, even if my only choice is new/rebuilt offshore parts? Thanks again. Looks like I've come to the right place with probing questions like this!

Hi folks, I just joined the forum and this is my first question. I own a 1965 Impala SS (owned over 30 years) and plan to rebuild the entire braking system. My intention was to also replace all the steel lines but I've been told it's not really necessary unless the existing brake lines appear to be rusty, which they do not. The car is originally from California and the underside is as rust-free as they come. But my concern that any accumulation of water in the system over a half-century could have begun a rusting process from the inside out. What's the standard practice in doing brake work on a car of this age? Should I replace all the steel lines as a preemptive measure, regardless of their external appearance? I want to do the job right, but I also want to keep the car as original as possible and don't want to do work that's not necessary. Thanks so much!