Copper washers on flexible brake lines?? Required??

[zepher11]

It's the simplest of things that perplex me. When I go to install my front and rear flexible brake lines on my GPW project, the threaded end goes all the in without bottoming and the nut part of the flex line bottoms on the brass tee. I don't see how this could seal. Is this normal? I then thought that maybe I should install copper washers to make the seal, but that seems weird to me as well. Of course, I don't have a preference. I just want a good seal without any leaks.

All the way in finger tight...but doesn't bottom:



With copper washer...and not even close to bottoming:



Of course, it could be the flex lines as well. There have been a number of reproduction parts that I have acquired that haven't been up snuff.

Any insights or comments are appreciated. Thank you!

[Ben Dover]

You need the copper washers, Wagner makes the correct washer. I do not have the Wagner Number in front of me, but will check on it Tuesday AM. Ron may have them. It pays to always have a few of the OEM Wagner Gaskets for the hoses and the two for the Banjo Bolt at the Master Cylinder on hand.The Gasket seals against the TEE and the flat surface at the hex. They do not bottom.

[zepher11]

You need the copper washers, Wagner makes the correct washer. I do not have the Wagner Number in front of me, but will check on it Tuesday AM. Ron may have them. It pays to always have a few of the OEM Wagner Gaskets for the hoses and the two for the Banjo Bolt at the Master Cylinder on hand.The Gasket seals against the TEE and the flat surface at the hex. They do not bottom.

Thanks, Joel. I searched a lot of photos, but I just couldn't determine if they were needed. I found some that fit the flex lines here at the local NAPA, however, I cannot find the two for the "banjo" bolt that is used for the brass Y on the master cylinder. I've went to NAPA and O'Reilly. The metric washers are close but they are just shy of slipping over to reach the outboard side of brass Y against the bolt head. Maybe a little work with a rat tail might get them to slide over...they are real close.

Thanks!

[Ben Dover]

Ron has been stocking them for the Banjo Bolts, if he is out I can help you with the special WAGNER Banjo Bolt Gaskets. If they are noy just right, they will leak.

The Wagner Part Numbers for theGaskets are:

Hoses to Front and Rear Axle Hoses WO-637426= WAGNER F-5795
Master Cylinder Front Fitting Gaskets, WO-637602= WAGNER F-602 and WO-637606= WAGNER F-603
Ron should have them.
Big A and Carquest are normally Wagner Dealers but the Gaskets such as these are usually Special Order and may have shipping or a minimum order.

[artificer]

Any new soft copper washer [nice clean indicates it will be soft or annealed] that fits the tread [internal dimension] correctly will do the job.

[Ben Dover]

Many who have installed new Master Cylinders have experienced leacks when reusing the original gaskets that have been used on several Master Cylinder installations, and many have experienced the frustration of finding "any new soft copper washer that fits the thread".
The brass Outlet Fitting A-557, WAGNER F-5727, has concentric grooves on the face of it and the WO-637605 BOLT , WAGNER F-3474 has precise shoulders that the copper gaskets must match. The OEM Wagner Gaskets are a precision match that will ensure a leakproof installation the first time. Why not do it right for this critical brake installation when the original parts are available?
These Wagner washers should be a priority spare item on your shelf along with the Fuel Bowl and Fuel Filter Gaskets. They might just come in handy sometime.

[zepher11]

Awesome. Thanks guys. I'll give it a shot and see if I can get some original style copper washers. Unfortunately, we do not have Carquest or Big A out where I'm at. With the part numbers though, I should be able to find them one way or the other.

[Ben Dover]

Does Ron have them in stock? I seem to remember a post a while back that said he stocked them.

[Ron Fitzpatrick]

yea, I have plenty of each in stock

http://www.g503.com/parts/brake-service

these are NOS to be honest with you...
https://www.vintagejeeps.com/p-281-brak ... 37426.aspx

Ron

[zepher11]

yea, I have plenty of each in stock

http://www.g503.com/parts/brake-service

these are NOS to be honest with you...
https://www.vintagejeeps.com/p-281-brak ... 37426.aspx

Ron

Okay, I thought it was going to be a simple thing to find a copper washer(s).

Now, I know...go to the G503 expert! Thanks, Ron. Ordered and done!

Appreciated...

[zepher11]

Epilogue: I received my NOS flex line copper washers and the Y fitting copper washers from Ron this morning. Now I think I can finally finish up my brake lines. The copper washer that is sandwiched between the Y fitting and the nut side of the banjo bolt is thin...as seen below closest to the banjo bolt. I doubt I would have ever found it locally:

[Ben Dover]

You are correct as these are not hardware store or Lowes/Home Depot variety. Wagner offers the better part of around 10 precisely matched sizes including the oroginal Wagner numbers found in the SNL G-503 parts Catalogs, the ones on the Y-Fitting have to be just right. They will make the difference between a leaky Master Cylinder installation and one that does not leak. Note that the prefixes as listed in the WWII Parts lists for Wagner are just plain "F" and no longer "FC" etc..

[Ben Dover]

If you leave the bolt for the Outlet (Y) Fitting a bit ajar, it will assist you in installing the two flare nuts and you can then tighten the bolt with an open end. The flare nuts will survive a lot longer if you use a Flare Nut Wrench to tighten and loosen them.

[zepher11]

If you leave the bolt for the Outlet (Y) Fitting a bit ajar, it will assist you in installing the two flare nuts and you can then tighten the bolt with an open end. The flare nuts will survive a lot longer if you use a Flare Nut Wrench to tighten and loosen them.

Ahhh, I know exactly what you mean, Joel. That's great advice. I do have a flair nut wrench which is very handy. Thanks for the tip