ken77 Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 Hi all, I'm working on a 1929 chrysler roadster and the brake lines are 3/8 copper tubing. It seems that all of the fittings are leaking. Tried tightening them they still leak. Should I replace them with copper or use steel not sure what was originally used. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge28 Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 The original lines are copper single flared. In the market today there are several options. Different line material. Double flared recommended. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 I'd use NiCuFe lines today. It's easy to work with and stronger than straight copper. It can be single or double flared, as required. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_8131324 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 4 hours ago, ken77 said: Hi all, I'm working on a 1929 chrysler roadster and the brake lines are 3/8 copper tubing. It seems that all of the fittings are leaking. Tried tightening them they still leak. Should I replace them with copper or use steel not sure what was originally used. Thanks I still have the original copper lines in my 29 Dodge Bros truck and they do not leak. There are many fittings in the lines. I have had problems with some of the brass fittings, They were cracked because of over tightening. Curious what brake fluid are you using. I believe the DOT 5 fluid tends to weep more than DOT 4. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFeeney Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 I believe the copper brake lines used back in the day were of a high grade material such as refrigeration copper lines, not your standard hardware store copper. I have had many early Chrysler products over the years with no leakage problems. Your lines could be damaged at the joints. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 There is a reason car manufacturers started using steel instead of copper. Copper work hardens as it flexes, then cracks, more than steel lines. I use Cunifer (NiCop, NiCu, NiCuFe). Looks good, stays good, does not rust.😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 I agree. Copper was a bad idea because it work hardens and cracks. Steel "Bundyflex" tubng is better than copper but can rust out. Today you can get CuNiFer, Nicopp, etc. It looks about like copper and is not prone to work hardening or rusting. I've not used it, but it has been around for years now, and so far no known downside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken77 Posted March 7 Author Share Posted March 7 Thanks for the info on my brake lines. While the body is off i think I'll replace my lines with copper nickel tubing. Thanks again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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