Well I dont normally post, I'm mostly read I must say I am still amazed
by these old trucks.

Last week I went to get my 78 4x4 f250 from my ex-neighbors house (he let me keep it there for awhile) well over three years actually. I took a jump box, a 5 gal can of gas. And after cleaning out all the mice nests throughout the engine compartment, leaves, and assorted cobb webs I turned it over... WOW... fired right up, not only that but it sounded pretty good for sitting untouched for three years. The only issue was the brakes had locked up, rocking back and forth for a bit I was able to somewhat free them and drive it.

Had my son drive it home while I followed him.

When I started washing all the mud off the frame (bed is off) I noticed brake fluid leaking from the line next to the gas tank, I am thinking of buying a complete brake line kit from one of the page sponsers and would like to know if anyone has used them? and how in the #$%* do you get to the spark plug out under the swamp box (A/C)?

Overall this truck is in great shape and I am looking forward to getting in back on the road..But brakes would be nice -)

Kevin

 

You can get the rear plug by going between the inner fender and frame by the tire.

As far as the line kit I have never used a prebent kit, it is just as easy to buy the premade lines at a parts store and bend them yourself.

 

Was the rubber line leaking, or the steel line?

 

Changing the sparkplug:

I used my ratchet and every extension I had and three knuckles/universal joint/swivel joint pieces from my tools, my dads tools and my neighbors tools and turned very carefully so I did not slip off as it was near impossible to get it to the plug in the first place
(I did not unbolt anything to create access or better what little access I had)

What engine you got in it?
Mine has a 460 with A/C (I feel your pain!)

 

My leak is in the steel line just after the coupling..
the only reason for replacing all the brake lines is if I found one leak there are probably others that will showup just at the wrong time.



I have a 400M C6 auto

 

I bought my front axle tubes from inline tube, for IIRC $170. They were nice, but for the entire rest of the truck I went to carquest and got their generic straight pieces and bent the lines with either my minibender or my thumbs. The whole rest of the truck didn't cost but about half that.

 

Auto Krafters shows a 9 piece set for 155 or Stainless for 185 That is the set I was thinking about... Made by inline.