Thomas Stahel

iTrader: (1)

Hi together

I already have a set of socket spanners 5-22mm and another one with inch sockets.

As I need to replace my fuel pump and brake lines, I wonder which tools will I need. I'm especially looking for flare nut wrenches. As I live in Switzerland I'd like to buy some German tools but before I do so, I wanted to ask whether I need the wrenches in SAE or metric sizes for working on the brake lines and nipples...

And overall, are there any other nuts or bolts (SAE ones) on the F-body where I won't be able to use my SAE socket spanner set and therefore also have to buy SAE box / open-end wrenches?

Thanks,
Thomas

eseibel67

The 1980's were the transition years for GM from SAE to metric, sometimes the same car will use both - seriously. I did brake hoses a year ago on a 1988, I believe they were were metric, but I can't remember for certain. The whole car is predominantly metric, earlier models such as a 1982 might have more SAE content.

What year are you working on?

Thomas Stahel

iTrader: (1)

Hi... working on a 1988 one. Must have been built by the end of the year because the car was first put into traffic in February 89.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

AFAIK all bolts that go into the block, the heads, or the intake, are SAE. Nearly all body, electrical, and other bolts, are metric.

Brake lines specifically, were changed from SAE to metric in 84.

Thomas Stahel

iTrader: (1)

Thanks! Do you know about the fuel line... connection from sendig unit pipe (feed) to the rubber hose? I checked a 16 mm wrench... found it a bit loose and I stopped trying until I would have a flare nut wrench. Maybe this is an SAE nut (5/8" for example)... or my cheap 16 mm open end wrench is just not having the exact size?

Night rider327

iTrader: (13)

The third gen F body was a mix of both metric and SAE.

Most all of your engine parts/bolts will be SAE

Chassis will be metric

Interior is a mix of both but with more being mertic than SAE.

Brake lines after 83 will be metric.

Fuel lines IIRC are SAE. I'm pretty sure the fuel line you are talking about is a 5/8" nut

Ron U.S.M.C.

I don't know about German tools but most of the kits I've seen come with both.
You might be able to get a nice set at a decent price similar to these.

Here's the one I have and its a "Husky" brand set.
They might be inexpensive but I can assure you Husky is a very good brand and very well made.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Fla...-203541511-_-N

Thomas Stahel

iTrader: (1)

Oh, so I guess I was lucky. Almost bought the 16 mm one... although I guess it would have worked as well on the fuel line. Well, I think it's best to have both, SAC and metric, ready if I ever need one.

@Night rider: For the brake lines I'll have to use a counterpart to loosen them. One to hold and one to unbolt. Do you know the two sizes I'll need? It's important because a double-sided flare nut wrench won't help me if the needed sizes are on one wrench ;-)

@Ron: Well the German ones are about 7 times the price of the Husky ones. But at least via Amazon I won't be able to buy them. They don't ship to Switzerland. Actually I didn't want to wait that long, that's the reason I wanted to buy them from Germany. But thanks for your hint.

Ron U.S.M.C.

I collect hand tools so living over seas would kill the bank account.

I wish you good luck on your endeavor.

Thomas Stahel

iTrader: (1)

Hey Ron, what I'm talking about are the top-notch brands in Germany, comparable to Snap-on in the USA. There are cheaper ones... comparable to Craftsmen, Stanley etc. for about the same price as the Husky ones. Although you could be completely right about the good quality of the Husky brand. At least the reviews are very good.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Fuel lines are generally SAE.

Thomas Stahel

iTrader: (1)

Good to know... so I know what I have to order.

Do I have to buy other SAE sizes or won't I have to undo anything on the side of the sending unit? Thought about replacing the lines from the unit because they are rusted. Are they replacable separately or do I have to buy the whole sending unit?

I loosened the nuts at the fuel filter with metric open-end wrenches. But as they seem to be SAE ones as well I might as well buy these sizes, too. But I don't know the sizes anymore.

Thomas Stahel

iTrader: (1)

I got the GEDORE flare nut wrenches. It really was the 5/8 and 3/4 for the fuel line. It all went well ;-)