Preserving steel lines?

How does one go about preserving the steel transmission/ brake/power steering/fuel lines on a daily driver (Canadian salty winters)?

My lines are solid but have surface rust starting. Can I scrub them down with something and paint or coat them? (POR 15?)

I would like to do something with at least all of those lines that I can't easily access after the engine goes back in.

Thanks for any ideas on this.

Use an English engine? The built in anti-rust system would take care of that.

I think that some type of rust prevantitive like POR 15 or even just plain Rustoleum would work. Some people have success with POR 15 and some have problems, and from what I've read, the proper application technique needs an undercoating, etc., and you want some rust on the metal for it to grip. I'd go with the Rustoleum, personally, but I like the stuff. I did my steel snow tire wheels in it about 4 years ago and they are still fine, but then, I only use them during our snow season, ~3-4 months, not your snow season of 363 days.

Keep them greasy or painted. That's the only thing that will work. Paint is a lot prettier, grease is easier :)

I don't need them to be pretty, I just know that once the engine is put back in there, I am going to have trouble even seeing these lines never mind replacing them.

It's a GM front drive mini-van. The power steering line snakes all over under the engine and there is a large bundle of brake lines coming up to the ABS unit that is now really easy to get at with the engin out.

FYI - you don't need an undercoat for POR, you just need to do the right surface prep. Hit the metal with some phosphoric acid (Metal something from Home Depot is the stuff I use - Metal Etch, Metal Prep...?), rinse it off and you're good to go. No rust needed.

I think it's the same first step in coating a gas tank with Kreem.

Call Inline Tube or Precision Tube. A few years ago I bought a complete stainless brake line kit for an El Camino and it cost less than $300 USD. Put in a weekend of your time and they'll never rust again.

I appreciate your replies on the ideas for brake lines. I cleaned up the engine compartment and found that the tranny lines and power steering lines are worse than I thought. They are very scaly and pitted.

Is there anyone in one of the rust-free states that would be willing to go to a yard and get some nice clean lines for me? The dealer cost for these new parts is crazy. I can pay by Paypal and pay shipping and something for your time. These lines are not bad to remove if you find a van with the engine out, Application is a 1999 or 2000 Montana or Venture van.

I would love to set up a relationship with someone who frequents the yards in rustfree areas. I fix up stuff a lot and often need clean dry parts to replace my crusty Canadian stuff. Please let me know if you would be interested.

I hope it's OK to post here for this "wanted" stuff.

parts stores carry that stuff cheap now, no need to go to the dealer.

In reply to patgizz:

I am not able to get a lot of what I need at parts stores. I'm thinking pre-bent steel lines, brake backing shields, various brackets and special bolts.

The parts stores constantly tell me that what I need are "dealer only". Plus the fact that if I can get something that fits, it is usually made offshore and is bad quality.

If you are in the US you usually have more options than we do in Canada.

Give Classictube a call. If they dont have the dimensions in there CNC bender data base they will cut you a deal in stainless steel for you to send your unmolested lines in so they can get the specs and put it in their data base.

(edit for brain fart)

Classic tube is a good product. However, they seem to have doubled their prices in the last year or so. WAY ver $500 to do the bugeye when I finally went to buy. NAPA and less than $100 saw the car plumbed with all new lines coated with some anti rust treatment; not that the car will ever see rain, much less salt!

Have you checked with the dealer? You never know, their prices may not be all that bad.

My most recent adventure with steel line replacement lead me to teflon coated lines. Purchased in roll form it was vert cheap. I replaced all the hard lines in my wifes ninty four mustang for less than fourty dollers. This includds fittings. add in a flair kit and a tubing bender that is nice for the larger diamiter lines and you can probubly get the o project done for under one hundried clams and you get two new tools to boot. If you dont have a flair kit and a tubing bender i highly recomend them. I have had mine for about thurty years and it has been used mant times saving me alot. I would say that these should be on top of everyones specilty tool list.

Dean, what flaring tool do you have? I havent used one that worked that cost under $300.00.

porksboy wrote: Dean, what flaring tool do you have? I havent used one that worked that cost under $300.00.

Im with ya on that one. Eastwood finally had one of the $300 ones on sale for $150 and I snapped it up. Only had to do a few lines with it so far but it was worth the investment, especially if you are in an area where rust prone brake lines are common

the one I got twenty five years back us a blue point paid fourty for it. i just got a goid one at an estate sale fir fifteen. I have not priced new ones in many years. i am really suprused that they are that expensive. i would have thaught thet woukd gave gotten cheaper. I think my age is showing.

In reply to stuart in mn:

Well I sorted out my options on the power steering lines. I priced the local parts store and they want $90 for the return line and $108 for the pressure line.

I went to RockAuto and found $20.for the return line and $32 for the pressure line (Gates brand). Thank goodness they ship to Canada, so even with shipping and exchange rate etc I am under $100 at RockAuto instead of over $200 at the local store.

The dealer was over $150 for each hose.

I was very surprised at the price difference. I wish I had of thought of this before.