Brake lines, continued

I received a quote back from R.D. Enterprises for the 4 braided brake lines. $140. Now, these would match up to the original fittings, and I would not have to replace everything. But the price is a little steep, especially if I can get a set from JEG's for $40. Except if I get the set from JEG's, I need to replace all of the lines, fuss with adapters, and figure out the entire system from scratch.

So, I put together a shopping list from JEG's. I figured I could replace the entire system for $170. That includes the braided flexible hose, and all of the hard line. For $30 more than if I had gone with the Lotus specialist, that's a no brainer. And once this is done, I will know exactly how the entire brake system goes together.

Another major project, but I am going to be more comfortable with the car when they are done. Now I just have to spend a couple days out at the garage tearing the old lines out. Sounds like loads of fun.

Brake lines

Last night, I started with the hopes to remove the brake lines running to the tee-fitting mounted on the front of the frame.

Starting with the return line from the (now non-existent) brake boosters, I started to take off the fittings. Of course, it wasn't that simple. This particular fitting proved to be completely seized. After several applications of PB Blaster, and waiting, nothing. Instead of stripping it completely, I decided to pull the whole assembly out, and disassemble it on the bench.

Since I wasn't going to use this particular brake line, I had no qualms about cutting it, and ripping it out of the car unceremoniously. Once I had that cut, the tee-fitting still needed to be unbolted from the car. This requires a tiny little hand, and 2 7/16" wrenches. You need to get your hand between the steering rack, and up into the frame through the access hole. In order to do this, and not drop my wrench into oblivion, I tied a piece of fishing line to the box end, and the steering rack. This way, when I did drop the wrench, all I would need to do is drag it out.

I did eventually get the tee fitting off of the frame. I took the whole assembly over to the bench, and started reaming on it. Then, the tube nut broke, and the whole tee fitting became garbage. The threads had permanently seized themselves, enough that an easy-out splintered and fell apart trying to get it apart.

At this point, I am considering replacing all of the brake lines. This way, I know all the fittings are new, and I know all of the fittings match.

Oil lines

Last night I attempted to finish up at least one project on the car, the oil lines.  The original remote kit hoses had started to leak, and I was just going to replace them with AN lines.

Unfortunately, the fittings that go in engine side mount were too big to fit next to each as they need to.  So, in another move to make this car project more hokey than ever, I ground down the one fitting to make it all fit.

Its not at all pretty.  It will probably leak all over the place.

And to top it all off I don't know where one of my fittings got to, and I couldn't finish the project anyway.  Eh, I guess its one more thing that can't get crossed off.

Brakes and sundries

I've got more projects than I can keep track of right now.

Currently, I am working on the brakes. I started by replacing the master cylinder with a Tilton Series 74 master cylinder with a 5/8" bore. I found another rebuilder that had used the same system, and was happy with it, so I went with that. After getting it, I found that another swap would have given me a dual cylinder setup, which I would have preferred. Maybe in the future...

I am debating on what kind of brake lines to replace the originals with, and if to replace them at all. I want to get the car up on a lift to check out the condition of the originals. If they are in reasonable condition, I'm just going to leave them on the car.

I got a buddy of mine to have the rotors turned down. They probably didn't need it, but I wanted to get the rust off of it and get the pits turned down.

Next is going to be the exhaust, or the coolant pipes. I was thinking I wanted to have both made out of continuous runs of tubing, but it seems like it is going to cost an arm and a leg to get it done. So, I think the exhaust is going to be a few angles and some straight pipe welded together, and ground to make it look good.

It seems like the tubing for the coolant may be able to bent out of continuous pipe, but it is going to require some big tools. Luckily, I may be able offset the price of the tools by splitting with some guys looking to do their own roll cages.