The Ford Barn

PeteVS · 07-16-2022, 08:15 AM

Several years ago, I got the frame for my roadster project up on some horses and proceeded to make up all of the metal brake lines. (I cut, bent and flared them from copper/nickel tubing. I was pleased.) I wound up putting them up in the rafters of my shed. Then, two years ago when Covid hit, I painted the frame, got the front and rear ends under it and installed those lines and finger tightened all of the fittings. The hoses were only "trial installed" and then put away. Now, since then, I've be working on the engine and body and I've finally come to the point where I want to get the lines all connected to the hoses and master cylinder and put in fluid and bleed them. I'm wondering if I should try to flush those lines out first. I never really capped all of the open ends. Thanks for your thoughts!

marko39 · 07-16-2022, 08:28 AM

It wouldn’t hurt to blow them out with compressed air.

PeteVS · 07-16-2022, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko39

It wouldn’t hurt to blow them out with compressed air.

Thanks. I should have mentioned that I was thinking of trying to get brake clean aerosol through them first.

glennpm · 07-16-2022, 09:13 AM

I'd just flush it with brake fluid when you are bleeding the system.

Bored&Stroked · 07-16-2022, 09:26 AM

I'd blow them out with air and then flush them with the new brake fluid - as part of the bleeding process.

rotorwrench · 07-16-2022, 09:33 AM

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You can flush them with a fast evaporating type cleaner and compressed air if you want. We have bugs down in this country like the dirt or mud dauber wasps. You can't leave any tunnel open or they make a nest in there.

Ken/Alabama · 07-16-2022, 10:21 AM

Denatured Alcohol works great for flushing brake lines.

Kube · 07-16-2022, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

Denatured Alcohol works great for flushing brake lines.

This is what I was taught a zillion years ago when serving my apprenticeship.

cadillac512 · 07-16-2022, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kube

This is what I was taught a zillion years ago when serving my apprenticeship.

Kube and Ken are correct. Of course, brake cleaner hadn't been invented yet back then....but either one works great!

Terry

PeteVS · 07-16-2022, 12:11 PM

Great! Thanks gentlemen!

ursus · 07-16-2022, 12:47 PM

What should be used for cleaning DOT 5 (silicone type) fluid from brake lines if going back to DOT 3?

Kube · 07-16-2022, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ursus

What should be used for cleaning DOT 5 (silicone type) fluid from brake lines if going back to DOT 3?

Denatured alcohol.

07-16-2022, 08:15 AM	#1
PeteVS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FP, NJ Posts: 2,770	Clean out brake lines? Several years ago, I got the frame for my roadster project up on some horses and proceeded to make up all of the metal brake lines. (I cut, bent and flared them from copper/nickel tubing. I was pleased.) I wound up putting them up in the rafters of my shed. Then, two years ago when Covid hit, I painted the frame, got the front and rear ends under it and installed those lines and finger tightened all of the fittings. The hoses were only "trial installed" and then put away. Now, since then, I've be working on the engine and body and I've finally come to the point where I want to get the lines all connected to the hoses and master cylinder and put in fluid and bleed them. I'm wondering if I should try to flush those lines out first. I never really capped all of the open ends. Thanks for your thoughts! __________________ Don't never get rid of nuthin!

07-16-2022, 08:28 AM	#2
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: Clean out brake lines? It wouldn’t hurt to blow them out with compressed air.

07-16-2022, 09:13 AM	#4
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,981	Re: Clean out brake lines? I'd just flush it with brake fluid when you are bleeding the system.

07-16-2022, 09:26 AM	#5
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,064	Re: Clean out brake lines? I'd blow them out with air and then flush them with the new brake fluid - as part of the bleeding process.

07-16-2022, 09:33 AM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Clean out brake lines? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You can flush them with a fast evaporating type cleaner and compressed air if you want. We have bugs down in this country like the dirt or mud dauber wasps. You can't leave any tunnel open or they make a nest in there.

07-16-2022, 10:21 AM	#7
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,260	Re: Clean out brake lines? Denatured Alcohol works great for flushing brake lines.

07-16-2022, 12:11 PM	#10
PeteVS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FP, NJ Posts: 2,770	Re: Clean out brake lines? Great! Thanks gentlemen! __________________ Don't never get rid of nuthin!

07-16-2022, 12:47 PM	#11
ursus Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,375	Re: Clean out brake lines? What should be used for cleaning DOT 5 (silicone type) fluid from brake lines if going back to DOT 3?