So broke my 10 bolt in my 83 Z28. Replacing it with a 88 9 bolt with cast brakes.

My dilemma is that the brake lines are different and need suggestions on what to do. As many of you know earlier years use different fittings.

Are the brake lines the same size? Meaning can I just bubble flare my line and use the correct bigger fitting to make it work?

Any ideas?

 

Hey Buddy. Did you get this figured out? I'm in the same boat with my 83Z as I'm putting a newer rear in mine too.

 

When I swapped a 91 or 92 rear equipped with PBR brakes into my 83, I just got a short piece of bubble flare line the right size (6mm if memory serves); cut the factory ¼" line off a few inches back; double-flared both with a ¼" flare tool; and used a brass flare union.

 

Thanks for your reply Sofakingdom. Can I cut the end flare off of the long hardline coming from the master to the axle and do a bubble flare? That should match the newer axle rubber line with the T-Fitting, correct?

 

You could give that a try I suppose, if (a) you have the bubble flare tool; and (b) it's possible to put a 6mm bubble on a ¼" (6.3mm) line which I couldn't say if it would work, it might or might not; and (c) that doesn't shorten the line so much that the rubber hose no longer fits right.

All of the above uncertainty is why I did mine the way I did.

 

Ok, I gotcha. I figured I had enough line and was trying to minimize the amount of fittings but I understand now why you did it that way. I wasn't aware of the difference in the sizes of the lines. Thanks man!

 

I just replaced the hard lines on my rear axle.....The wheel cylinders I installed had different fittings and didn't work with the existing brake line....I went to an Autozone and bought pre-flared brake lines to match the center brake hose....Also got pre-flared adapter lines (bubble on one side and double flared on the other) to get the line to match the wheel cylinders...I used a connecting union to put the pieces together......It may be more expensive (a little bit) and add more connections - but on the positive side it's easy to install and doesn't require flaring lines...

Bring an old brake fitting with you when you go to buy the new one. Guarantees correct match-up because lines come in many different flavors of sizes and fittings.

 

Never saw that before. That's AWESOME; just about takes all the work out of it.

 

Ya, I was stoked when I saw it.....Made it easy....Unfortunately I also had to replace the line from the axle to the prop valve and had to buy a roll of brake line and do some flares anyways....(had enough left over to do the axle too! )

 

Actually, I think this guy has a better solution than mine......A brake hose with double flared connections....That would have minimized my connections quite a bit....However, would still need a double flared fitting on the brake line that goes from the body to the brake hose...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ear-brake.html

 

Thanks a lot guys!! I appreciatte your help. I believe I'm going to go the "adapter" route.

 

Wait - what fitting is the problem? My 88 had metric bubble flares and the replacement wheel cylinders were imperial double flares.....Maybe you can simply replace the wheel cylinders to get the correct flare?

EDIT: Replace the wheel cylinders if that's the issue. They are available in metric and imperial.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...893&cc=1035649

I think this is the part you want.



Rear Drum brakes; Front Disc brakes; U.S.A. threaded inlet 3/8"-24; Rear Right
Rear Drum brakes; Front Disc brakes; U.S.A. threaded inlet 3/8"-24; Rear Left

I used the adapters because I already installed the drum brakes before I found out the fitting was wrong.....Plus the brake lines were in poor condition anyways.....If the brake lines are in good condition and the wheel cylinder is wrong - it's cheaper and they probably need to be replaced anyways.

 

I'm putting a 2000 Camaro axle into my 1983 Z. I purchased new axle lines as well as a new Rubber T-line for the new axle that match the year of the axle. I just need to adapt the 1/4 inch hard line from the master to the bubble flare on the Rubber T-Line. I think just an adapter will work.