[FC] 1962 Corvan side doors & Hoses

[Chris & Bill Strickland]

Boyce --

Paul Steinburg is quite affronted that I would "recommend smaller ID 
hoses" in a public forum. So, with apologies to Paul - he only speaks 
out of concern for doing the right thing - may I offer some food for 
thought.

I didn't "recommend" them, I just said the diameter should be no big 
deal.  I still say that.

So here are some opinions for one to consider: It is not the volume that 
they transmit, but the pressure, and at brake line pressure (1,000-1.500 
psi, typical) it is the pressure that counts -- at those pressures, the 
volume will happen (meaning the typical diameter of the hose at this 
pressure is not a critical limiting factor to the amount of fluid that 
needs to flow nor the time it takes to do it) -- if it was, we'd all 
have half inch or larger brake lines.  There are folks that think 
smaller diameter hoses give better braking performance, because smaller 
hoses, even of stock material, suffer less pressure effects than does a 
hose of large diameter -- simple physics -- they have less internal 
surface area, and pressure is exerted in force per amount of surface 
area, meaning that smaller diameter hoses swell less when under pressure 
than larger ones, which also means that the smaller hose will transmit 
the pressure more quickly -- this difference in the amount of swelling, 
depending on what authority one subscribes to, can significantly effect 
braking performance, or not.  Some people listen to Rush and believe, 
some do not ...  Everybody has a theory, and occasionally facts to 
support it. Often, the same facts can be used to support more than one 
theory.  Sorry to be confusing, but I can tell you one thing, if it 
wasn't safe, the FLAPS's lawyers wouldn't let them sell it, and if it is 
the wrong application, it won't physically fit (the length issue sounds 
like they don't).

So there are a lot of ways to look at such an issue -- oem stock 
original GM engineering, as in bias-ply tires, AC oil filters, points 
ignition, asbestos brake linings and clutch discs, leaded gasoline, 
stock shocks OR improved technology over the last fifty years, as in 
radials, Pertronix, ceramic pads with a disc brake conversion, Clark's 
oil filters, no lead, gas shocks, and small diameter PTFE lined 
stainless braid brake hose.  Etc.

The last rubber brake hoses I recently got from a Corvair vendor were of 
a smaller internal diameter design. I also bought some of the stainless 
braided ones and have used many of this design since they came available 
on custom cars and restorations when we couldn't get custom rubber hoses 
made.

Bill Strickland