Location: Mississauga, Ontario I know all the answers it's the questions I don't understand
How come I can't make a double flare for Corvette brake lines
Long story but one of the Corvette vendors didn't seem to know the correct length for a brake line and I ended up stripping the threads in my distribution block so I decided I would make my own brake lines from now on.
Anyway I went and bought a double flaring kit for steel, aluminum and copper. I had some 1/4 easy bendable copper / aluminum coat stuff around that I decided to use to practice making the double flares.
I followed the instructions to a "T" and it looks like I come out with a single flare every time. I cut the tube square with a tube cutter, I debur the inside and then I clamp it in the correct size hole in the tool with the end sticking out the correct amount they specify.
I then use the use a little adapter that is supposed to push the end of the pipe in a little with the screw down clamp and then use the screw down clamp with a pointy end on it and that is supposed to fold the end over inside.
Well it doesn't work, I end up with a single flare, it doesn't get folded in like a double flare should. This is PMO any help is appreciated.
__________________ 1980 Corvette, 427ci Motown SBC 465RWHP N/A so far,500 is the goal, AFR 227 Eliminators
T&D Shaft Rockers,Vic Jr, XR286R solid roller,248/254 dur .640" lift 10.6:1 Mahle pistons
Eagle stroker rods, 4 in. Callies DragonSlayer crank, 825 Drag Race Demon, 3 in exhaust Paint by Dream Car Garage
Was it a high quality kit - like Snap-on or Mac type? I've tried a few and the expensive ones were the only ones that really worked. I'd bet the problem is that the line is slipping in the clamp bar.
A hint you've got a good enough tool is the kit should have big heavy wing nuts on the bar so you can use the handle of the tool to clamp the line tight. The kit I used that worked good I put the handle in between the wings on the nuts and used it to crank them down tight. Look at the first link Todd posted and see how those wing nuts make a U and the round bar tool handle is not in the tool so it's a free part you put into the wing nut and turn them extra tight, I just can't remember what make was of the one I borrowed that worked good - it was quite a while ago.
With one of the cheap kits I got it to work by clamping Vice Grips onto the bar right where the line was.
Peter
Last edited by lionelhutz; 11-15-2009 at 09:13 PM.
Wayne, I have had about a 50% good double flare ratio for years, using the typical tool. I have gotten used to doing it a few times until it is acceptable. I have been eyeing one of these tools from Eastwood for some time now:
But lately I have been eyeing this tool from Eastwood becuase it does both 45 and 37 degree flares, and also does stainless tubing. 37 degree flares are used in AN fittings. I am about to start my EFI conversion, and I will be doing stainless hard lines with AN fittings, so I need to beg, borrrow, or steal one of these!
Location: Mississauga, Ontario I know all the answers it's the questions I don't understand
So it's not that easy then ? My problem is the first part with the little adapters.
After I crush the end of the pipe I can see by eye that there is no way the second part where you just screw the conical pointed thing in is going to bend the ends of the pipe in as in what makes the double flare.
Mine all come out looking like singe flares. Good ones though
Location: Mississauga, Ontario I know all the answers it's the questions I don't understand
Quote:
Originally Posted by tfi racing
Try filing a slight chamfer around the outside of the tube,that may help it to fold in,a trick an oldtimer shared many years ago.
Yes I am going to do that the next time I try it. It is funny I have never had to make my own before. I always bought then pre-fit. The last one I bought was too short ( by about 1/32 of inch ) and I ended up stripping a 100 dollar distribution block.
The other lines I have got before have a bend in them so you can adjust the line to fit no problems. This POS line was perfectly straight with 2 90deg bends. I tried to re-bend it to make it longer but couldn't get it long enough. This is the reason I have a compressor, air tools, just about any tool you can think of and I do everyting myself, you can't count on some moron doing it for you
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How come I can't make a double flare for Corvette brake lines
