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So I am at the point were I am going to start putting stuff back on the '84 undergoing the S4 swap with Greg's help (thanks Greg!).
I have the old engine out and the clutch and brake cylinders out, new bits ready to go back in and wanted to see if there is a better option for the dreaded blue hose I should consider. Yes, the last one lasted a long time but now is the time to swap in something even better so I thought I'd ask.
Ask Greg. He's the hose guru and may have a more durable piece for that. Hey, the old one has lasted 30+ years; why would you not use the same stuff again?
I will go out on a limb and guess that Greg will tell you to get a new blue hose. And make sure that it runs downhill, continuously, from the reservoir to the CMC. No dips for air bubbles to get trapped.
Thanks guys - I have a new blue hose in my parts ordered box, will use that, but so help me Dr Bob if it only lasts 20 years it is on you to pull the engine back out.
FWIW the new Blue hose is now black that is if the curent stock has run out of the blue
Brembo is now making the blue hose black same great quality just a different color.
NOTE the blue hose is a silicon based hose made to resist the brake fluid and has a cloth outer layer.
NOTE it is not necessary to clamp this hose as the clamps can deform the outlet and inlet plastic ports,
the hose has enough gripping force to make it nearly improbable to remove,
it you use some alcohol on the port this will aid in sliding on the hose
Thanks guys - I have a new blue hose in my parts ordered box, will use that, but so help me Dr Bob if it only lasts 20 years it is on you to pull the engine back out.
Thanks!
Sorry for the slight delay in reply. The evening pig from the bay area was circling for a landing. The flapping noise is a significant distraction. Onto the hose: The old one lasted at least 30 years. Don't bother calling me on it until another 30 years have passed. Any failure before that is a workmanship issue, as it's pretty obvious the materials are durable enough. To Stan's suggestion on no clamps one barbed nozzle, I sometimes add a plastic cable-tie to such hoses in case they do happen to swell a little. Probably more comfort for me than improvement in function. Purple cable ties make the whole car faster, and contrast nicely with the original blue hose covering.
I've got nothing that I think will last longer than the blue hose, therefore I choose to keep things as original as possuble.
Clamps, tie wraps, or magic glues are not required. If you put on the blue hose and you decide it is too long (or too short, which is very rare), the only way it is coming off is by splitting the hose with a razor blade.
The "trick" is the routing. Most people leave the hose too long and the hose exits frim behind the booster at 6 o'clock.
As Rob states above, this allows the hose to dip below the clutch master cylinder. This "dip" allows an air bubble in the hose, which is almost impossible to get rid of. The air bubble will allow the master to suck air when going down hills, making corners, etc.
The hose needs to come around the brake booster at 3 o'clock and proceed to the reservoir without drooping. This results in a hose that goes downhill to the master, without dipping below the master, which eliminates the place for an air bubble in the hose.
For Rick - Thread resurrection - very important stuff here. I'll be needing to do this job soon on my car too, although it'll be real fun, because the motor of mine is still in the engine bay. I will not cut a hole to access it either, as others have done.
For Rick - Thread resurrection - very important stuff here. I'll be needing to do this job soon on my car too, although it'll be real fun, because the motor of mine is still in the engine bay. I will not cut a hole to access it either, as others have done.
Ed - I highly recommend doing this with 2 people and Stan's technique with using mechanics wire. It took about an hour this way. One person in the car and one under the car. Also loosen the brake booster. No cutting required. Good luck!
12-08-2017, 12:50 PM
Better than blue hose options?
