Jon Cole Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I'm stuck. I need visual help on how to lay out e-brake lines, etc. on a 50's automobile. Any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 (edited) '50s cars are all similar in layout and function, but all different in specific detail and routing. By this time, most US cars had E-brake handles under the dash on the LH side. E-brakes are usually cable operated, and a single cable ran from the handle to a splitter / equalizer of some sort, from which two cables continued and entered the rear brake backing plates from the back side. This is typical, but as I noted, there are MANY detail and routing differences on specific vehicles. The cable from the under-dash handle is in white here, not red, and the RH side cable running to the RH wheel is hidden behind the control arm. UNDER A CAR, LOOKING FORWARD: Edited March 8, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 (edited) This shows the hydraulic brake lines (the "service" or regular foot brake) routed to the front and rear from the master cylinder. It also shows a slightly different E-brake setup, though the function is exactly the same. Everything will be pretty much identical for drum or disc brakes, though the proportioning bypass valve will usually not be used on an all-drum system. In that case, route the front lines neatly and directly to the front brake backing plates, eliminating the detour to the proportioning valve. Actually, function and routing of brake lines hasn't changed very much since the introduction of hydraulic brakes (Ford got with the program in 1939). Edited March 8, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Fuel lines on the typical '50s car are very simple. From the tank to the pump (usually engine driven) and on to the carburetor. Usually no return line, as in today's EFI cars. Once again, specific locations and layout will vary by car make and sometimes, model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Cole Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 Bill, thank you a ton! That will help me line my Hudson chassis! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Cole Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 Can anyone show me how the "equalizer lever" works? They seem to have three contact points, two of which I presume are cables. Do most pivot on the center? And if anyone knows Bill Coulter, he did his MCM Hudson build up with chassis lines, but the photo isn't clear enough to help. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 (edited) A very simple method of equalizing the pull on parking brake cables is this system widely used on older sports cars with a parking brake handle as shown. Its function is obvious, so keep it in mind. The cable connecting to the rear wheel brakes should be labeled "secondary cable" Another way to accomplish the same thing, but using an "equalizer lever" instead of the slider is below. The rear (secondary) cables running to the wheels are functionally identical to the diagram above BUT, instead of a "primary cable" there's a short cable connected to the "2690 brake lever". Then, right AT THE ARROW TIP (and going towards the front of the car) there is another cable that connects to the E-brake handle under the dash. At the arrow tip, going towards the rear of the car, there's a return spring. At the end of the equalizer lever AWAY from the arrow tip, there is a pivot. These parts basically mimic the simple layout shown above. Similar system under a car shown below. Edited March 10, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbox55 Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Just to add a little to Bills excellent description of how the brake lines route; On most vehicles prior to '67, there will only be one line coming from the master cylinder, rather than 2 like later vehicles. There are variations on how the lines are routed and split, but usually, there's a "T" that splits it front/back, then it's further spit side to side. Here's a diagram that might help. It's for a Chevrolet truck, but most under floor single circuit brake systems are similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southpier Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 LB - any chance you could post the link for that schematic? i tried to zoom and even at 500% it's not readable (to me, anyway). then i did a google search and came up with stuff like this which, while somewhat legible isn't too much help for us neophytes! thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramfins59 Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Bill, thanks very much (I think) for your pictures and diagrams. Wile I've previously done brake and fuel lines on some models, I "cheat" and have them routed into the frame rails on Customs and Street Rods. Now I can get adventurous and try replicating E-Brake lines. Just more over-the-top details to add to a model's build time if I get so inclined to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbox55 Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Longbox55/brake%20line%20diagram%20001_zpst7uv08co.jpg~original Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southpier Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 sweet; i printed that puppy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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