Chevrolet C8 1940 Cab 11 restoration, The Netherlands

[Alex van de Wetering]

Bob,

It's fascinating to see the detail differences between the different models in de CMP family, even the ones produced during the same period!

I have added a few pics which show the configuration of the C8 brake lines....well, least on mine ;-)

Fitting the brake hoses directly to the frame rails makes sence, but somehow the Chev guys choose to do it different with the C8 (at least have seen this on 3 different C8's). The C8 has a bracket which holds the brake hose.

At the rear the configuration is also slightly different from the C15A....on the C8 a bracket is welded to the rear exle, which holds the brass brake tee and secures to the brake hose. The other end of the brake hose secures to a bracket riveted to the right hand frame rails.

I also added a piece of a picture from Clive's factory photos CD showing a similar rear brake line layout on a MCP Chev. Last but not least is a picture of the (front) brake tee secured to the frame with a clip.

Regardless pf where or how many clips they had to hold the wiring and brake lines in place ***** make sure you instal as many as is requried on your truck to keep everything from rubbing, wearing and potentially start a fire or cause you to loose all braking capacity.

Thanks for the advice Bob. I was kind of thinking of adding a few extra clips here and there to keep everything in the right spot....I even have a few holes available in the frame which don't seem to be used for anything else. "seem" as I am not sure if they ought to be used for the wiring loom(?). Anyhow, I will probably secure the bake line on a few extra locations, but that does mean adding a few extra bends in the brake lines to get to all the existing holes, as all the "spare" holes are not in line with the orginal (?) routing of the brake lines.

Hope you are still enjoying your project

Definately! But, I have lost a bit of momentum in the project as the budget jar is about empty for now and I need to sort a few details first before I can continue. I know if's part of the fun....but I always try to do the "detective work" during the weekdays and the labout during the weekends!

Alex

[Alex van de Wetering]

Quote:
an unusual construction having the hook at each end made from heavier wire and loosely retained by means of the spring ends being wound in a cone shape.

David; your description on the springs sounds a lot like the springs used inside the Chevy brake drums to hold the brake shoes.....No idea if the C8 used springs on the brake hoses at all....on mine there is no sign of them, but I guess the hoses could have easily been replaced during it's lifetime.



oh..the C8 brake hoses up front are the same as the one at the rear, # 476719. Luckily these are available at most Chev parts suppliers! Thanks for the offer Bob, but I guess for once it's a benifit that the C8 is largely based on civvy components ;-)

Alex

[Alex van de Wetering]

Dirk at LWD was able to help me with an alternative brake junction block. We had a few to choose from and I decided to go for this one as it uses the same thread size as on the original block and also the same thread on all three holes. Basically it means I can swap the block easily if I ever find the original one.
There was only one problem....it's Ford.....but, as you can see in one of the is the manufacturer for these blocks seem to be the same, "W".

The block has a hole in it to secure it to the frame with a bolt, in stead of the clip as used on the original.
I modified two thick washers to fill up the hole and to get the new bolthole off-centre, so the block would sit a close to the original location as possible.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Next step is making new brake lines. After reading several stories about making brake lines, I decided to use Cunifer, a Copper-Nickel-Iron alloy. I bought this and a tool to make double flares a few weeks ago, but the trouble was finding the correct fittings and that brass brake block. Now all material was present, I was able to start making the lines.
Allthough the actual work is not too difficult, you need lots of time to measure and bend the lines....testfit, bend a bit more....testfit again.....bend some more etc.
I am not completely happy with the front line yet, but I will have another go next weekend.

Alex

[Bob Carriere]

Nice job Alex ......good looking flares .......

I particualrly like how you shaped a washer to fit the hole in the frame....nobody else will ever see it but you know it was done right.

Brake line layout looks good.

Bob C

[cletrac (RIP)]

I was in a truck supply place last winter and they had pre made brake lines in 3" increments from about a foot long to 8 feet long. The long ones were only about $4 each. They even had the protective wire wrapped around them.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Thanks guys! Not all flares came out that good, so I had to scrap a few lines as they were too short to be used again, after cutting off the bad flare.

You can also buy straight section of pre-made brake line here at some shops, but in my case the trouble was finding ones with the correct thread fittings.

Alex