Our LRDG Chev

[Grant Bowker]

MB-F1 and MB-C2 both specify double flares for CMP trucks. So does the Ford shop manual for Conventional and Modified Conventional vehicles. I don't have access to the corresponding Chevrolet manual. With the use of double flares being so widely specified (up to current vehicles), I would assume your truck probably used them too. If this is correct, then the fittings and junction blocks would all be designed to match the thickness and profile of double flares and might very easily not seal properly on a single flare. My understanding is that double flaring also reduces the chances of the line cracking from the free end. Since single flares are cheaper to make, I think the manufacturers must see a benefit in using double flares that outweighs the added cost.

There are a variety of double flaring tools that vary widely in price and ease of making acceptable double flares. Nickel-copper and steel lines are generally easier to form than stainless steel. Among the cheapest I found on ebay was http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tubing-Doubl...610665&vxp=mtr
I did all-new lines for a C15A in stainless using this http://www.eastwood.com/professional...ring-tool.html without any spoiled flares. I had done some stainless flaring with a tool like the cheaper variant with mixed results and decided I would go with the Eastwood tool when doing the complete truck. I found it much less frustrating to use than the simple traditional (cheap) machine. One limitation is that it can only flare up to about 1-1/2" from an existing curve in the line. It may work better to plan your lines to flare and then bend if possible although this gets harder to do if the same applies at both ends of the line.

[Andrew H.]

Thanks Grant and Motto, so it would seem that double-flaring is the way to go.

[Lynn Eades]

Andrew, single flare is illegal in N.Z. for WOF / COF.
Many so called cheaper "double" flaring tools work o.k. with soft tubing(copper, also no longer legal) but not well, with brake tubing.
Now that you have samples remove your pipes to a brake shop and have them done properly.
I assume you have single circuit brakes? Even if you had a tandem circuit, you still want them the best you can.

[Andrew H.]

Thanks Lynn,
Well that settles it then. Brakes are too important to take short-cuts and in any case if single-flaring is illegal there is no option but to double-flare. Thanks everyone for putting us back on the straight and narrow! Its a good example of why this forum is such a great resource.
Andrew

[Andrew H.]

Yesterday we were lucky to have our friend Neil (red jersey) come along to double-flare our brake lines. He is a retired A-Grade mechanic of 40 years experience who has done this job a thousand times, so we are now confident that they have been done properly and will be reliable. Working conditions are difficult at present with wind and cold rain outside. We work in two sheds neither of which are very warm or weatherproof and they are separated by a muddy track. Roll on summer!!!

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

... Working conditions are difficult at present with wind and cold rain outside. We work in two sheds neither of which are very warm or weatherproof and they are separated by a muddy track. Roll on summer!!!

And this is why Lucifer seems to be a preoccupation with the Hammond Barn gang. Sometimes making the workshop fit to work in is half the day.

[Andrew H.]

Today I cut a new stencil for the truck out of clear plastic sheet, scaling it off the photo. The designation T9 shows that "Te Aroha III" was the 9th Truck in T patrol of the LRDG. The letters T9 are white or desert-yellow on a matt black square and they are placed on the front RHS mudguard, the tailgate and both sides of the tray. I know you can buy ready-made stencils but I enjoy cutting them myself with a craft knife (especially inside by the heater on a miserable day like today!). I have already made stencils for the truck number "L4618825" which appears on both sides of the bonnet, and "INSPECTED" which is on the front bumper. I could not cut out the centre of the "9" in the T9 stencil without leaving a big hole, so I will have to spray it on like that and then tidy it up with a small brush afterwards. Onwards and upwards.