Update by Tim Suddard to the
Austin-Healey Sprite project car
Mar 20, 2024
|
Austin-Healey,
Sprite,
Brake Lines,
Bugeye Sprite
Photography by Tim Suddard
The brake lines in our Bugeye Sprite were in rough shape. Plus they had been reconfigured from stock.
Classic Tube has or can make brake lines in either mild or stainless steel for any car. To make new lines, you just send them a pattern. (Fortunately, though, Classic Tube already had patterns for our Sprite.)
We chose mild steel. We don’t anticipate any corrosion issues while mild steel lines cost less and are easier to bend, cut and flare. Less than $300 gets you an entire set and, for a little extra, they offer braided brake hoses. Clutch and fuel lines are offered as well.
An early Sprite has a single brake cylinder that also combines the clutch master cylinder. As we were running an internal clutch throw-out bearing that has a clutch line that goes right up to the master, we didn’t need clutch lines from Classic Tube.
We did opt for braided steel brake hoses. They offer a bit more pedal feel and protection from debris.
Classic Tube sent a slightly larger fuel line–5/16-inch vs. ¼-inch–and it perfectly fit our Sprite.
As for the brake lines, we restored and reused the brass junction found on the passenger side of the chassis while fitting new braided steel brake hose for the rear of the car.
The brake lines run along the seat rail on a Sprite. This location offers some protection. We were able to easily attach them with a cotter pin that runs into the hole on the rail, seemingly designed for this purpose.
A Sprite is a small, simple car with a simple brake line system. Picking up all new lines from Classic Tube made this whole job cheap and easy.
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