Brake line question

[catspaw]

I have a '74 coupe that had a really rusted suspension pan, here we go with the slippery slope. I took the entire front suspension out and welded in a new pan. "As long as I'm in there" new turbo tie rods, caliper rebuild, nw rotors, new control arm bushings, etc. I am going to change the all brake lines and I'm thinking of changing the fuel lines but I think they may have been changed before. The car had an engine out repaint prior to my ownership as well as a newer (electric speedo) transmission. My question is what were the original brake lines made of. The lines in the tunnel are flexible but smooth almost like tygon (sp) tubing. As I write this I'm thinking I should just change them anyway. Feel free to chime in, every vote counts.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Sounds like you're going to have an essentially new car by the time you finish up all these updates! To help speed this along, I'm including a link to our site's DIY tech articles in case you need assistance with any procedures. Best of luck and let's see some photos of your 74'.

Porsche 911 (1965-1989) Technical Articles - Pelican Parts

[Trackrash]

Well, the brake lines in my '71 are steel. Except the hoses to the calipers.

I have not heard of anything beside steel being used for brake lines.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by catspaw

I have a '74 coupe that had a really rusted suspension pan, here we go with the slippery slope. I took the entire front suspension out and welded in a new pan. "As long as I'm in there" new turbo tie rods, caliper rebuild, nw rotors, new control arm bushings, etc. I am going to change the all brake lines and I'm thinking of changing the fuel lines but I think they may have been changed before. The car had an engine out repaint prior to my ownership as well as a newer (electric speedo) transmission. My question is what were the original brake lines made of. The lines in the tunnel are flexible but smooth almost like tygon (sp) tubing. As I write this I'm thinking I should just change them anyway. Feel free to chime in, every vote counts.

The older Porsche used tern coated and later zinc coated steel, eventually changing to Cunifer sometime around 1976

Today Cunifer or ss is preferred, Cunifer is easier to work w/ and widely available

[Knockdown]

I believe from your other post that you were questioning the fuel lines running in the tunnel that are made of polyimide. There are some good threads on this site that discuss the robustness of these lines and methods to replace the rubber fuel lines that are attached to them.

[Trackrash]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

The older Porsche used tern coated and later zinc coated steel, eventually changing to Cunifer sometime around 1976

Today Cunifer or ss is preferred, Cunifer is easier to work w/ and widely available

Good to know.

Question: If I want to upgrade my brake lines, and get rid of my old rusty ones, how do I know if I am ordering Cunifer?

I looked at our host's catalog and OEM brake lines for SCs appear to be steel.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

Good to know.

Question: If I want to upgrade my brake lines, and get rid of my old rusty ones, how do I know if I am ordering Cunifer?

I looked at our host's catalog and OEM brake lines for SCs appear to be steel.

Cunifer is sold in rolls of 25' at your local parts store. About $50 for 911 diameter brake line. 3/16's inch, I think. Fatter line for an F250 is maybe $65.

Buy bag or two of end fittings, a copper pipe cut off-tool (think basement plumbing), an inverted flare tool and a hand tube bender. That's about a hundred bucks. If you need a bubble flare, that tool is circa $35.

All set for a lifetime of brake line repairs.

Or you can buy a couple of pre-shaped steel lines and be just fine.

Web talks of higher nickle content if you buy from "them" vs local parts store. Not sure how important that is.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

Good to know.

Question: If I want to upgrade my brake lines, and get rid of my old rusty ones, how do I know if I am ordering Cunifer?

I looked at our host's catalog and OEM brake lines for SCs appear to be steel.

Any current oe replacement brake like will be Cunifer

[BoxsterGT]

Re: Cunifer, I have worked with this for Brake lines as well as for Fuel Lines through the Tunnel. It is a copper/nickel alloy and absolutely the best for corrosion protection. You should use nothing else in the Brake system except for Cunifer.

Cunifer is a bulletproof solution for fuel lines (8mm & 10mm) through the Tunnel, except for the fact it is much harder to straighten out from the roll when purchased. SS tube is even more difficult to handle and must be shipped in a long cardboard tube.

It is very important with the 74 911 models to deal with the Tunnel Fuel Lines, as for this model year only Porsche fitted white Nylon tubes for the main fuel lines. This was a mistake, and in the 75 model and on Porsche went to Polyamide tube. The original white nylon tube turned brown and became brittle with heat exposure and age. Lots of posts on why this Fuel Line must be replaced ASAP.



Look to the Right Center of this photo.

With the Polyamide it can be rolled up into a small circle and easily shipped. It is practically bulletproof unless damaged from drilling or welding seat mounts or fire extinguisher mounts by some unknowing mechanic.

The Polyamide tube itself should last the lifetime of the vehicle. The Rubber Hoses attached to the front are another story, and the originals are not Ethanol rated.

Hope this helps.

Len