Brake Line Exhaust Manifold Clearance

‘72, 304
Went for a short drive around the block. Was the first time she’s been on the road in over 30 years. Felt great after this 5+ year complete tear down project. Obviously came home with a list of things to address that will lead to plenty of future posts. However, I was debriefing things and I took a look at how I ran the brake lines from the master cylinder down to the frame. I’m wondering if I should have dropped them down on the other side of the steering shaft to get them further away from the exhaust manifold. I thought I duplicated the original route here, but now I’m not so sure. Think it will get too hot?

 

I would move em looks like the coil will give you enough length to get them farther from the manifold. Fwiw mine go on the other side of tha column.

 

Copper brake lines? Copper is soft, doesn't take vibration well, and and can get brittle at the flares.
I would be very uncomfortably with that.

 

Very true. But perhaps they are legitimate copper-steel, very nice to work with.

 

That's nicopp aka Cunifer, a steel alloy with high copper content. Nickel - copper - iron. Steel, not copper; a legitimate brake tubing material.

Here's the factory config - This is a '75, which has a combination valve on the frame. I recall a '72 has a distribution block on the frame where the brake failure switch goes. Should be the same otherwise. (You can upgrade to the later combination valve).

A-Team Performance Universal GM Brass Proportioning Valve for Drum/Drum Applications Cars or Trucks - A-Team Performance Parts



Has the stone guard, which does not protect much from stones in this location. Possible it acts like a heat shield in this application? I see you have some stone guard now - you could run it up to the top. Just be sure to install it on the tubing before you flare!

 

Looks like the factory config and the stainless kit I put on mine do not have coils. One of my lines from Master Cylinder does run close to header. I was able to flex it away about 2 inches then I put a heat shield tube on it before connecting to master cylinder. I think it protects it from the exhaust heat as it is rated for 1100 radiant.