1963 Split Window Brake line problems!

[PD2]

Hey guys!

I have a 1963 Split Window that just had the brake line bust on me! I jacked it up and took a look and noticed that the brake line runs on top of the frame. The space between the frame and the pans and body is about a finger's worth of space!

Has any body done a brake line job on these cars and if so, how did you remove the line and replace it? I have no clue where to start first and if any body has any good tips or tricks I'd love to hear them!

I appreciate the help and feedback guys!

PD2

 

[vigman]

My 64 had the same deal..

They did a really KLUDGE job.. cutting the old line and just running one KINDA close.. using the old brake line to ty wrap to....

YIKES

So I have to figgure out how to repair that...

You MIGHT be able to access things better if you remove the side bottom moulding panel.

Just a thought.



Vig~

 

[PD2]

Wow!! You know, I thought about doing that myself, but have no interest is messing with any portion of the originality of the car. Plus, if I did that, I would really have to insure that I get the Stainless Steel lines to prevent any rusting!

As for the "bottom molding panel", are you referring to the outside crome and black striped molding or something else? If it is that molding, I did pop that thing off and all I had was fiberglass - the rest of the body side come down around the outside of the frame.

I tell ya, it almost looks like to do a brake line job on this car the body has to come off!! There has to be a better way!!

Let me know!
PD2

 

[IH2LOSE]

Welcome abourd

Purchase a service manual for your car.I have a 1966 And none of the brake lines or hoses are in a diffacult area to replace.how did you stop ? When brakes go out its a pretty scary ride

 

[PD2]

Thanks for the welcome!

Actually, I have purchased a few manuals, including two different 1963 Corvette Shop Manuals. They do not start with a body on approach at all! They start like the body is already off the car - like during restoration or something!

That would be great, but this car is fairly well restored and looks great underneath - there would be no reason for me to do the body off restoration approach unless I was planning on doing some of that work.

As far as stopping, the great thing was I was about to back the Vette out of garage when my foot went to the floor! I put the car in park and stepped out into a puddle of brake fluid that dropped under the rocker panel of the door! I was so mad!

Funny thing is that before this I was getting a pulling to the right every time I hit the brakes. My theory (knowing what I know now) is that I had a pin hole leak in the line and it was causing the pulling. Thank God it all happened in the garage and not on the road!

Thanks for the helps guys!
PD2

 

[IH2LOSE]

Give it some time some folks with 63's will let you know what to do I am going out in to the garage and take a picture of how mine runs

I just read your profile it says you have 2 63'S is the other ones brake line run the same way? Mine is on the side of the frame and then under the master cylender its on top but easely aceptable

 

[PD2]

Yup! That makes sense. By 65-66 they got smart and ran them down the side like that. I remember looking at a few 65-67's and their lines ran on the outside of the frame. 63-64 were still on top, unfortunately. So my other 63 is definitely run the same way. If I did do a complete restoration, I'd more than likely run it on the side like the 65-67's - that would probably knock a few points off of the originality, but functionality wins out over originality in my book.

I'll definitely wait and see what other 63 owners are doing, if anything. I'm such a DIY'er I'd hate to have to take this to a specialist or something. I have a few guys that I trust in my area that work on these, but I really wanted to try and do this one on my own - I mean, it's just brakes, right? <g>

Thanks guys for all the quick responses and good info!

PD2

 

[vigman]

Were here to help

Oh yes & welcome.....

I'm sorry about not having more info on hand.. I'm sure other members will pipe up soon enough.

Vig~

 

[PD2]

Vigman,

Thanks man! I appreciate that! No problem on the info I'm sure I'll get plenty of replies.

Thanks again!
PD2

 

[00fxd]

You mentioned that you would use the later brake line running down the side of the frame, I think your gonna have to do that now and just leave the old line where it is.

 

[WhalePirot]

memories.............

Thanks for the trip back to my split window.

Not a fun job, that. My old Chilton's Corvette manual says nothing of the lines, but I remember the situation. Seems that what you do is directed by what you intend for the car. I applaud the originality desire, and feel that a temporary line, using existing holes and such to attach the new line, temporarily, would allow enjoyment of the car w/o 'kludging' the job or damaging the originality.

I'd vote for original lines, not stainless or relocated ones, when the body can be lifted enough to replace the lines. Given the age of the car, those steel lines lasted quite a while. That is, unless stainless is not 'docked' in any intended judging.

Does your restoration manual address lifting the body? Perhaps you can do it just enough to get to the lines.

Mike

 

[Mikey1]

As I remember there are three kinda holddown clamps that hold the line to the frame. I have replaced the stuff with SS whilst having the body off. Probably the easisest way. Guess you don´t wanna go there.

Get yourself a small mirror on top a a small teleskop. You should be able to locate the holddowns from underneath the car.

With the body sitting on top I would try de-touching the brake line from the front and back block and then puling it with the front left wheel removed. That should be also the possible way to put the new one back in. You are able to slightly bend the line (very, very carefully !!). The needed clamps you should put on before sticking it in. With a hook you should be able to puch these little things into their holes.

 

[PD2]

You mentioned that you would use the later brake line running down the side of the frame, I think your gonna have to do that now and just leave the old line where it is.

Actually, sounds like that may be what I have to do! I just was trying to avoid that as to me, that would seem a little "junky" or "kludge".

Thanks for the input!
PD2

 

[PD2]

Re: memories.............

Thanks for the trip back to my split window.

Not a fun job, that. My old Chilton's Corvette manual says nothing of the lines, but I remember the situation. Seems that what you do is directed by what you intend for the car. I applaud the originality desire, and feel that a temporary line, using existing holes and such to attach the new line, temporarily, would allow enjoyment of the car w/o 'kludging' the job or damaging the originality.

I'd vote for original lines, not stainless or relocated ones, when the body can be lifted enough to replace the lines. Given the age of the car, those steel lines lasted quite a while. That is, unless stainless is not 'docked' in any intended judging.

Does your restoration manual address lifting the body? Perhaps you can do it just enough to get to the lines.

Mike

Hhhm! Now there's a thought. I just took a look at the manual and it has more about replacing quarter panels, carpet and portions of the body and trim - nothing about lifting the body off. Although, as far as mounting points all of the main cockpit area seems to be bolted to the area where I need to replace the brake line. I may have to check this out, but it could be possible to loosen all bolts and then jack up the driver's side body portion to get to the line. Good stuff!! I'll have to check that out.

Thanks!
PD2

 

[PD2]

As I remember there are three kinda holddown clamps that hold the line to the frame. I have replaced the stuff with SS whilst having the body off. Probably the easisest way. Guess you don´t wanna go there.

Get yourself a small mirror on top a a small teleskop. You should be able to locate the holddowns from underneath the car.

With the body sitting on top I would try de-touching the brake line from the front and back block and then puling it with the front left wheel removed. That should be also the possible way to put the new one back in. You are able to slightly bend the line (very, very carefully !!). The needed clamps you should put on before sticking it in. With a hook you should be able to puch these little things into their holes.

Now I had thought of that too, but wondered if the brake line would even slide out of that all that smoothly? It's not exactly straight and takes a series of up and down bends. Maybe I can remove the line that way and then use the other suggestion of just running the new line along the side of the frame? I just don't think I'm gonna get the brake line back in the same place it was originally installed.

Thanks guys for all of the input!! Good stuff!

BTW - This forum rocks! How long has this been here?? Glad I found you guys!

PD2

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Memories of my Split Window,

My body was off for 3 years so there was plenty of time to look at the chassis.

I think you can do it if you follow Mikey1´s method with the following modification.

Put the car on a lift and take off both left wheels. Before pulling the old line out attach a piece of parachute cord to the back end of it and have a helper feed the line along the top of the chassis while you pull the old line out. Using the old line as a pattern bend the new line to shape, now tie the parachute cord to the end of the new line and have a helper gently pull the cord from the back while you very gently feed the line from the front.

 

[PD2]

OK! Now you guys are getting really creative!! This is great!!

So where do you pick up some good parachute cord?? LOL!!

I'm definitely seeing a pattern here - gonna have to be creative if I want to do this myself. I need to jack the car up again and take a look at things again to see if any of the good creative suggestions work.

Thanks again guys!
PD2

 

[Mikey1]

To add a little to that I´ve checked out my collection of resto photos....and found something.

As my frame is 63 (note the park brake) that should be good for you as well. You can see the location of the brke line on top of the frame rail and also see how the self attaching clamps are used. I guess the hardest part is to get the old ones out. Mark the position of the old clamps on the inside of the rail before removing....

 

[Tom63SWC]

I did a body off restoration of my 63 coupe starting in 2000 mainly because I didn't trust the condition of the brake and fuel lines. So, I replaced the brake line the easy way while the body was off. But, after I had remounted the body, I messed up the end of the stainless steel brake line that runs from the engine compartment to the rear suspension. I decided it would be easier to replace that line than repair the ruined stainless end, so I lifted the body on the driver's side much like was described here earlier. It only had to rise a few inches and swapping the lines was a bit of a chore. But I don't recall that job being any tougher than a few dozen other jobs I did during the restoration.