Looped Brake Lines from Prop Valve

[Robert M Mrozek]

Question for the group. 1970 Camaro. I have a shop completing a Wilwood disk conversion for me including a new Wilwood master cylinder and adjustable prop valve. Also had them replace all the brake lines. They replaced the hard lines with stock replacements which includes the double loops coming out of the prop valve and which I believe goes to the rear brakes. I am not loving the appearance of the loops and the proximity to the header/heat. Any idea if those loops are required now that I have a Wilwood prop valve with adjuster knob? Thinking of asking them to make some custom lines instead but not sure if the loops are still required to balance the response of the rear brakes wrt the front. Thanks!

 

[Gary S]

The loops are there for strain relief, and also to lessen the possibility of vibration cracking a line. A looped line acts like a spring to absorb vibration. They have been done that way for decades, and are still a great idea.

 

[Robert M Mrozek]

The loops are there for strain relief, and also to lessen the possibility of vibration cracking a line. A looped line acts like a spring to absorb vibration. They have been done that way for decades, and are still a great idea.

Thanks Gary....as a mechanical engineer, I should know that...lol

 

[Robert M Mrozek]

Here is the final routing. I had the shop (Hot Rod Shop, Troy, MI) remove the loops and custom route something cleaner.

 

[badazz81z28]

The loops are there for strain relief, and also to lessen the possibility of vibration cracking a line. A looped line acts like a spring to absorb vibration. They have been done that way for decades, and are still a great idea.

I never thought so. A metal line that compresses and expands over and over again will eventually stress and crack. I understood it as excess for part installation and adjustment. If the line needed to move. They would have put a rubber line there.

 

[FS87LT]

As the vehicle is assembled, think "unit assembly" rather than individual parts. What that means is that the coils in the brake lines are used to suspend/support the empty master cyl and such before the master cyl is attached to the brake booster assy (which is attached to the body shell as it is assembled in another area of the plant). On a unit-body car, the front subframe assy rises to meet the body shell whereas on a body/frame car, the body lowers onto the mostly-assembled frame assy.

When you understand how the vehicles (and their components) come down the assembly line, THEN you understand why some things are done the way they are. Rather than how we tend to look at things "in the field" as owners who might work on their own cars.

Enjoy!
FS97LT