Brake line plumbing
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City metro area
Brake line plumbing Since my poor old Nova got stripped down to the bare shell and I am replacing the original antique master cylinder I wanted to check with some of you out there about my plan. I have 4 wheel discs now and want to use a dual master cylinder. I bought an adjustable proportioning valve for the back and figured that I would not use a factory style combination valve. Not too interested in the brake pressure warning light either. I figured I would run a line for the front brakes from the master cylinder and then a separate one for the rears from the master cylinder with the adjustable valve in that line. Like to hear if you have done that and the results.
Or if that is not a good idea.
Or if that is not a good idea.
You plan sounds good if Im understanding you correctly. By dual master cylinder, are you talking about a master cylinder that has an output for front brakes and an output for rear brakes? Like most "newer" cars have?
If so... then you will be setting your brakes up just like mine are. I have single line coming out for the front brakes, that gets t'd off to each caliper with 3/16" line. For the rear brakes, I have a line going from the master, to a wilwood adjustable proportioning valve, then back to the axle with 1/4" line. At the axle, it gets split into two 3/16" lines to each caliper. My brake fluid/pressure light was in the master cylinder body...so since it was there I used it.
I will tell you that my braking is crazy now. I have 4th gen f-body front and rear discs...and after playing with the adjustable valve, it will haul down quick and steady.
Good luck! Install a line lock while you are doing the front brakes...they are fun as well
Justin
If so... then you will be setting your brakes up just like mine are. I have single line coming out for the front brakes, that gets t'd off to each caliper with 3/16" line. For the rear brakes, I have a line going from the master, to a wilwood adjustable proportioning valve, then back to the axle with 1/4" line. At the axle, it gets split into two 3/16" lines to each caliper. My brake fluid/pressure light was in the master cylinder body...so since it was there I used it.
I will tell you that my braking is crazy now. I have 4th gen f-body front and rear discs...and after playing with the adjustable valve, it will haul down quick and steady.
Good luck! Install a line lock while you are doing the front brakes...they are fun as well
Justin
the advantage to plumbing a factory style combo valve into the system is when you lose front or rear brake line/caliper seal/hose and do not lose braking 100%. i learned that the hard way once now i use them in everything including scratch built custom braking systems.
Novas forever
Originally Posted by ghettocruiser
You plan sounds good if Im understanding you correctly. By dual master cylinder, are you talking about a master cylinder that has an output for front brakes and an output for rear brakes? Like most "newer" cars have?
If so... then you will be setting your brakes up just like mine are. I have single line coming out for the front brakes, that gets t'd off to each caliper with 3/16" line. For the rear brakes, I have a line going from the master, to a wilwood adjustable proportioning valve, then back to the axle with 1/4" line. At the axle, it gets split into two 3/16" lines to each caliper. My brake fluid/pressure light was in the master cylinder body...so since it was there I used it.
I will tell you that my braking is crazy now. I have 4th gen f-body front and rear discs...and after playing with the adjustable valve, it will haul down quick and steady.
Good luck! Install a line lock while you are doing the front brakes...they are fun as well
Justin
If so... then you will be setting your brakes up just like mine are. I have single line coming out for the front brakes, that gets t'd off to each caliper with 3/16" line. For the rear brakes, I have a line going from the master, to a wilwood adjustable proportioning valve, then back to the axle with 1/4" line. At the axle, it gets split into two 3/16" lines to each caliper. My brake fluid/pressure light was in the master cylinder body...so since it was there I used it.
I will tell you that my braking is crazy now. I have 4th gen f-body front and rear discs...and after playing with the adjustable valve, it will haul down quick and steady.
Good luck! Install a line lock while you are doing the front brakes...they are fun as well
Justin
Originally Posted by patgizz
the advantage to plumbing a factory style combo valve into the system is when you lose front or rear brake line/caliper seal/hose and do not lose braking 100%. i learned that the hard way once now i use them in everything including scratch built custom braking systems.
sparkwirez06: No idea what size the banjo bolts are. I just used the ones off the donor car. But, you can get stainless lines from vendors that are meant to go with those calipers. bigbrakeupgrade.com has them. As well as many others. They are pricey and thats why I found stock hoses to use instead of goin with them. Im sure someone on here knows the size though. Search around a bit...and even try google.
Justin
Last edited by ghettocruiser; Apr 10, 2007 at 09:28 PM.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City metro area
Thanks for the input everyone. I don't think both the front and back master cylinder resevoirs are connected. If one set of brakes has a problem the others would still work to some degree. I thought the combination valve was more for distribution and housing the proportioning valve. I am always open to ideas though.
