While bleeding the rears today I found...a leaking line. Rear driver's side line is leaking right where it's clipped to the rear end...

This would explain a lot...looks like I'll be replacing atleast one brake line. I've never replaced actual brake lines before, any tips?

Thank.s

 

Good news! This should explain the problem... Or at least is the first step.

I have no experience on this issue (apart from that you´ll have to bleed the system when you are finished) but I´m sure there must be someone with this knowledge on this forum.

 

Its a pretty straight forward job but brake fluid is nasty stuff to get on you, it can ruin paint also. You're talking about the metal line from the center of the axle to the flex hose? You can probably buy a premade 3' section and fit it in. Its a pain to get those connections loose sometimes.

 

Yeah I had to spray the bleeders down with PB Blast and let it sit for like a week before I could safely crack those open.

The rear brakes don't go to a flex hose. It runs from a valve on the passenger side above the rear axle across the back of the axle and over to the wheel. It looks much longer than 3' which is why I was hoping for any advice. Do they sell them in > 3' with the fittings already on? or will I have to get a flaring tool (I've been wanting to get one anyways ) and make my own?

Thanks!

 

They sell them in 5' or 6' length with the fitting also. Flaring your own takes practice. You might get it on your first couple tries but it has been hard for me.

 

Thanks man. I'll look for the 5 or 6 footers. I'll measure my line first.

 

I forgot to update this. I pulled the old line off and measured it. It was about 3'6" long. Bought a brake line and started to bend it into the right shape...

well while I was under there trying to fit it I scraped my knee against the gas tank and it started leaking. it appears that what someone had done in the past was the old "rub a bar of soap over your leaking gas tank" trick to seal it up and then painted over it with black paint...

I quickly got out from under there and put a catch can under it and let the gas drain out. Now I need to fix it. I'm thinking for now I will just use some JB Weld StikWeld on it. I used it on my 95's oil pan and it's still holding up great. I know it's not an ideal fix but I don't want to replace the whole gas tank just yet.

Anyways, the brake line was almost bent the right way when this happened but then I ran out of time. I will try to finish the job this weekend if I can find some time.

Just wanted to post an update.

 

I used jb weld for a stand pipe in a motorcycle carb and it didn't last a week. Not sure if I did a bad job or if jbweld isn't for gas.

For a second there I thought you were gonna say you cut your knee to shreds or something bad.

 

I think I'd rather shred my knee than have a leaking gas tank,:hmm: my knee will heal, the tank won't!:lol:

^That´s typical of these old cars... They often hide some "secrets".

Be careful about welding a gas tank. Although you empty it there are hydrocarbon remains inside that can cause a sudden blaze. In my opinion a new tank is a good investment in the long run when the original one comes to an end. In the meanwhile, maybe a rubber patch could help.

I hope you finish soon the new line :thumbsup:

JB Weld is a two part epoxy putty like you used to fix your steering wheel. Just a brand name, no welding involved.
Good sound advise, none the less!:flame:



I think the JB Weld would do the trick. A friend of mine used it after he ran over a fence post :rant2:and punctured his tank and it held well.

 

^That´s typical of these old cars... They often hide some "secrets".

Be careful about welding a gas tank. Although you empty it there are hydrocarbon remains inside that can cause a sudden blaze. In my opinion a new tank is a good investment in the long run when the original one comes to an end. In the meanwhile, maybe a rubber patch could help.

I hope you finish soon the new line :thumbsup:

 

Thanks guys. Yeah a new gas tank will be needed in the long run but for now with me putting very little miles on the thing in the forseeable future the JB Weld will do.

As soon as I get that new line installed and redo my bleeding job I'll update you on the brake pedal situation.

 

outsider, I inherited a 68 fleetwood from my father in law. At one point he had removed the gas tank and could not get all the gas out of it so he cut/drilled a hole in it. To fix it he mixed up some bodyfiller, filled the hole and painted over it. As part of getting it back on the road I pulled the tank and brought it into a shop that does gas tanks and radiators. They welded a patch on it (I believe they submerse the tank in water so there are no fumes - its safe if you know what you are doing). After patching they hot tanked it to clean it and sealed the inside and outside. When they were done, I had a better than new tank for about $150, I don't think I could have replaced it for that...

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the tip. I never thought of a place that does repairs on gas tanks! I will look around here for one.

 

If you can afford to that is a really good way to up-grade/clean the whole system possibly replace pump and have everything A1 shape!

 

finally installed the rear chrome trims.


Here are the clips that I bought. They are for 5/8 to 3/4 "thin" trims and are nylon.

They install like this:




I did have to trim the clips a little to fit because the trim gets thinner at one end but I just used a knife.

Here it is installed:

 

The result is first class :thumbsup: Thanks for the info. My moldings were bolted to the body :crying2: (you can see the small screws if you watch the trim on your knees). Maybe some day I get new ones installed the right way.

 

Yeah my father in law told me to just screw them in with sheet metal screws...no way

 

^You´re lucky to be able to choose the attaching method... In my case, someone did it for me before I bought the car :lol:

 

Yeah my father in law told me to just screw them in with sheet metal screws...no way

Ummm, no. Lol.

 

Nice Project! Congrats!

 

Nice. Loving it

 

The front fender "spears" were snapped in two...Here's my attempt at fixing:

Step 1: JB Weld quick steel putty and a couple of small trim nails for support:




Step 2: bust out the dremel with a grinding stone and grind down the excess JB Weld


Step 3: some chrome spray paint. It was a little too cold in the garage so it was tough to paint but I may redo the paint at a later date.



Came out OK. you can still see the spot where it was repaired but I'd say it's better than not having them on at all.

I'm also doing the same to my front hood lip trim which was broken in 3.

 

The result is ok for a daily driver quality. When it´s on its place the repaired spot will look like a little imperfection; for sure it looks better than before the repair :thumbsup: and the car is complete while you locate another in better condition.

 

today's project was covering the dash in vinyl...





finished product is pretty nice. not show quality but not bad for my first try.

 

Nice work. No snow in Maine?

 

tons of snow here. we just got another foot on wednesday so i took over the spare bedroom in the house and used a shower curtain to cover the floor