Flaring stainless steel brake lines in the West Kootenay or Creston area.

RumbleBee383

New member
Hey guys!

I bought a set of stainless steel brake lines (from Inline Tube) for my '69 Super Bee that I'm working on.

Im replacing the master cylinder with a Wilwood unit that accepts 1/2-20 fittings.

The front stock line that that goes to the master has a 9/16-20 fitting and I had just assumed that I would get an adapter to go between the 2 sizes, but it appears that this adapter does not exist.

I believe that I need to cut off the end of the brake line, put on a 1/2-20 fitting and then re-flare the line.

I have a small double flaring kit, but dont want to even attempt to try flaring stainless line... from what I have read online, stainless will split when using a regular flaring kit. I could always practice, but I have no spare stainless line to practice with and dont want my first attempt at stainless to be on my beautiful line! ;-)

I'm in Salmo, so is there anybody (business or otherwise) in the West Kootenay or Creston area that can flare stainless?

Thanks!
 

Bob

Administrator
I have a small hydraulic flaring tool, but I don't know anything about flaring stainless, and don't know what the trick would be. Without having a length to practice on the secret could remain hidden.

Would it be a better option to build an adaptor?
 

RumbleBee383

New member
I have a small hydraulic flaring tool, but I don't know anything about flaring stainless, and don't know what the trick would be. Without having a length to practice on the secret could remain hidden.

Would it be a better option to build an adaptor?
Hey Bob!

The master came with some 9/16-18 adapters which apparently is a much more common thread. I have thought that these could somehow be filled with aluminum and re-tapped to work, but I don't know where to start... I dont have a 9/16-20 tap or the ability to weld aluminum. I also wouldnt know how to put a proper sealing surface back on the inside adapter.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
 

Bob

Administrator
I reread your description of the problem, why can't you tap the Wilwood unit to 9/16-20?
 
I have some 1/4 inch SS line if you want to practice. What size is the line you need to flare? 1/4 or 3/16
 

RumbleBee383

New member
Hey guys!

Thanks for the help! It is 3/16, but I decided that I have way to much to finish on the car to spend too much time on this... for now I simply copied the SS line as close as I could using regular steel line from the parts store. I hit it with some Mothers polish and it looks pretty close to the SS.

Thanks again! :)
 

Jeaves

New member
If you have a good quality flare tool like a weatherhead , blue point ect . then there should be no problems. It is good to practice first and in some cases have to warm it up alittle depending on the grade of stainless ie 304/316. If you have a rear line that is longer that you can practice on where no one can see it that would be best. And alway use a double flare, might be common sence to most but I still come across single flares once in a while, mostly on customs.
 
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