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  1. #1
    Contributing Member cgscgs's Avatar
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    Default Red plastic clutch line

    My 1981 Tiga has red plastic clutch hydraulic line. I understand that was common back in the day. Is this tubing still available? How about the fittings? Is a special tool needed to attach the fittings to the tubing? Thanks

  2. #2
    Contributing Member Steve Demeter's Avatar
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    If it is not braided Teflon of hard line throw it away as fast as you can.

    Plastic lines are junk. Period. IMHO

    The cost of a few feet of the right stuff is cheap compared to what losing the clutch at the most inconvenient time you can think of.

  3. #3
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    Years ago, Peter Denty had them. You can contact James Denty, he may be able to help if you want to go original. Not sure I would use the red plastic. You are better off with the braided SS brake hose and SS fittings you can buy from Pegasus among other places.

    Joe

  4. #4
    Contributing Member DanW's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cgscgs View Post
    My 1981 Tiga has red plastic clutch hydraulic line. I understand that was common back in the day. Is this tubing still available? How about the fittings? Is a special tool needed to attach the fittings to the tubing? Thanks
    It's a Girling part that was supplied on the Lotus Elan and Ford Cortina. The hose will melt instantly if they get too hot from the exhaust heat. Most owners replaced them with full hard line or went with braided stainless hose.

    Edit: you may be in luck:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-CORTINA...item20d9efb754

    Regards,
    Dan
    “Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty.” -Peter Egan

  5. #5
    Contributing Member rickb99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DanW View Post
    ......Edit: you may be in luck:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-CORTINA...efb754 Regards, Dan
    Are those the right fittings for our master cylinders and slave inputs??

    Just seems like a glorious search for no good reason unless you're going to Pebble Beach.
    CREW for Jeff 89 Reynard or Flag & Comm.

  6. #6
    Contributing Member DanW's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rickb99 View Post
    Are those the right fittings for our master cylinders and slave inputs??

    Just seems like a glorious search for no good reason unless you're going to Pebble Beach.
    If you are using the original girling masters and slaves that use the 3/8"-24 inverted flare fittings (aka bubble flare), yes.
    “Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty.” -Peter Egan

  7. #7
    Contributing Member cgscgs's Avatar
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    Well Steve, you may be right, but that junk plastic line has worked trouble-free for 32 years. Just seemed like it might be time to replace it.

  8. #8
    Senior Member kea's Avatar
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    Default Red plastic line

    If you are really into the red, take red heat shrink and cover a teflon/braid hose.
    Yea, too much work but that way you'll get a red clutch hose !
    Keith
    Averill Racing Stuff, Inc.
    www.racing-stuff.com
    248-585-9139

  9. #9
    Classifieds Super License Charles Warner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cgscgs View Post
    Well Steve, you may be right, but that junk plastic line has worked trouble-free for 32 years. Just seemed like it might be time to replace it.
    Proper installation (I.e. with a clutch pedal stop either at the pedal or the slave) will not create enough pressure in that line to require the use of steel braided line. As cgscgs says, works good lasts a long time.
    Charlie Warner
    fatto gatto racing

    'Cause there's bugger-all down here on earth!

  10. #10
    Contributing Member DaveW's Avatar
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    Back in my FF days, I used 1/4" OD high-strength Nylon tubing for my clutch lines. I used SwageLok fittings. Never had a failure in almost 15 years of use.

    The only reason I went away from that is that my later cars came with SS braided Teflon tubing, and I saw no reason to switch.
    Dave Weitzenhof

  11. #11
    Contributing Member cgscgs's Avatar
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    DaveW,
    Did your fittings seal inside or on the face of the MC and slave?
    Thanks, Chuck

  12. #12
    Contributing Member DaveW's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cgscgs View Post
    DaveW,
    Did your fittings seal inside or on the face of the MC and slave?
    Thanks, Chuck
    That was so long ago (before 1984), I don't remember for sure. However, I think they seated on the taper at the base of the MC threads. I don't remember using crush washers back then.

    For a long time, I also used Swagelok fittings with an o-ring in the base that threaded into and seated on the machined flat surface of the MC. So, it might have been that setup instead.
    Last edited by DaveW; 11.22.13 at 4:11 PM. Reason: added, modified, last paragraph
    Dave Weitzenhof

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