Original Brake Hoses for '69 Z28

[69Z28-RS]

I'm slowly taking apart, cleaning, etc..  parts from my '69 z28/RS which has been *resting* in my basement garage for a bit over 32 yrs.   I'm currently working front and rear suspensions/brakes/etc; the current topic is brakes.  My car has the orig hoses; I rebult the brakes in the late '70's, and they worked fine then, when parked, and work now, but with 43 yr old hoses, I suspect it would be good to replace them.  I looked at the replacement hoses sold by Rick's this weekend, and they have steel fittings on the end (brass fittings on the originals); I just made the rounds of several parts houses, and none of them even list fronts for the '69, but a couple had a 'Wagner' part for the rear one which *appeared* mostly correct, but with the additional crimps.   I also just searched for, and read the historical posts re brake hoses and didn't get much other than the change in 'crimping' from the original crimp to the later double crimp mandated for safety. 

My plan was to flush the steel lines with alcohol, and rebuild the calipers and cylinders with silicone fluid; replace the hoses.   I've a couple of questions:

1)  For my car, which I hope to show in 'survivor category', should I reuse my original hoses?  I'm only considering this due to the non-availability of correct-appearing new hoses.   If you fellas recommend I replace the original hoses, who sells the *best* alternative for front and rear hoses?

2)  have any of you had your original calipers (single piston) resleeved with stainless?   If so, whom do you recommend for this?  I want to be sure I have my original calipers returned to me.

Gary 69Z280RS 

[lcmc]

If showing in survivor class you need to use the original. You get zero points for replacement or reproduction parts. Even your original parts are scored according to condition.

[JohnZ]

1)  For my car, which I hope to show in 'survivor category', should I reuse my original hoses? 

Do as you like, but I'd never take a chance on 43-year-old brake hoses - they're a major safety item, and a failure could get you killed. NCRS approaches this specific issue in Corvette Flight Judging with either no deduction or just a minor deduction due to the safety concern. In NCRS Star/Bowtie judging, which is purely absolute originality, with no "condition" deductions (the car doesn't even have to run), replacement brake hoses will get a deduction, but that alone won't fail the Chassis category.

If you're going to DRIVE the car, you're taking your life (and the lives of others) in your hands by using original brake hoses.

[Steve Shauger]

If showing in survivor class you need to use the original. You get zero points for replacement or reproduction parts. Even your original parts are scored according to condition.

Hi Danny, that is correct , however as you know our Vintage Certification program scores as follows;

90% of score is based on originality
10% of your score is based on preservation/condition.

As has been stated, replacing the originals brake hoses with reproduction is recommended, unless you don't intend on driving your car. In addition our program will award points (with a deduction) if you bring the original parts you've taken off (such as brake hoses). I have a few cars that are basically all original including tires, and I wouldn't drive on those tires except for around the block. As John Z. stated, safety should come first.

[69Z28-RS]

All of you fellas are correct , but of course safety IS the most important thing, as John points out so clearly.

Steve:  Given that I can clean/bag the original hoses, does that discount 'scoring' on the replacement hoses?   If not, what is your recommended source for hoses?   The Rick's repro/replacement has steel fittings (rather than brass); Is there a better source?  and what about sleeving the calipers/cylinders with SS (or brass).  Does that cause a deduction?   Does silicone fluid cause a deduction?   Do the judges even look at such things?

Any information appreciated to make my decisions a bit quicker/easier..

Gary / 69Z28-RS

[Mike S]

  I have rebuilt both and it's impossible to see the SS inserts on either the M/C or calipers when installed.

Mike

[69Z28-RS]

Thanks Mike,

I've used a couple or three companies before for sleeving various Corvette calipers and M/C, but is there a preferred company to sleeve/rebuild the single piston calipers for the Camaro?

[Mike S]

Hi Gary,

 I had my 4 piston calipers sleeved with SS inserts in 1987 and still holding well though I did install new rubber seals recently just for the sake of it.
I had a local shop by me called Apple Hydraulics ( http://www.applehydraulics.com/brakes.htm )  install a brass sleeve for $95. They do brass and SS but I opted for brass to save some $$$$.
They do complete rebuilds or just install a sleeve and you rebuild it. I went for option 2 and got the rebuilding kit locally at LI Corvettes ($28) and saved quite a bit ( over $100 total ) doing the rebuild myself.
Mike

[NoYenko]

Gary, On the single piston calipers the internal bore of the caliper is not as critical as to pits because it does not have to seal against the piston.The outside surface of the piston seals against the seal so that surface is critical. The piston slides in & out on a stationary outer seal. Hope that makes sense.

I bought a couple sets of incorrect hoses before I came across these on EBay. They were the closest to my original hoses. Tommy, nice guy & knowledgeable.
www.ebay.com/itm/1969-CAMARO-FIREBIRD-TRANS-AM-NOVA-DISC-BRAKE-HOSES-69-Z28-/130689673166
George.

[sixt9x33rs]

These are the ones I bought too.

[69Z28-RS]

Thanks for the information George .. and Sixtynine...  Those certainly appear to be more accurate (but with the additional crimps)..  and more expensive.      I'll consider them strongly.
thanks! 

[Danzo]

Brought this back to life. Who currently sells the most accurate brake hoses? Thanks in advance.

[Hans L]

 I bought a set from directly from Tommy Mathison back in April of 2014.  Same as NoYenko (George) posted above.   The hose markings looked exact compared to my worn originals. 

Not sure if its OK to post his email address on this site.  I can send you a PM with his contact info if you are interested. 

[68camaroz28]

Thanks for the information George .. and Sixtynine...  Those certainly appear to be more accurate (but with the additional crimps)..  and more expensive.      I'll consider them strongly.
thanks! 

I had a set of NOS brake lines Gary that looked the part except for double crimps and had them stenciled as George showed for our restoration. Just another option if you have some laying around....

[69Z28-RS]

Thanks for the information George .. and Sixtynine...  Those certainly appear to be more accurate (but with the additional crimps)..  and more expensive.      I'll consider them strongly.
thanks! 

I had a set of NOS brake lines Gary that looked the part except for double crimps and had them stenciled as George showed for our restoration. Just another option if you have some laying around....

Do you have photos of that stenciling, chick?    Who did/does the stenciling for such items?