brake lines!!!

[99dodgeturbo]

just picked up my first dodge which is a 99 ram 1500 have had it about a week now nd havent had much time to work on it do to work needs a couple little things but those little things are turning into such a headache like brake lines has anyone done lines on these before and have any advice of making bending the lines easier and off topic the transfer case linkage from the t-case the the floor is missing so i bought a new one off ebay i had it just jimmyed in there what holds that in exactly?

 

[Johnn123]

All I can say is grab a haynes manual, it has the procedures your looking for in it
Great to have if you do your own work.

 

[99dodgeturbo]

yea i do all my own work and i do have the book for it and right now all i have for exhaust is the headers and the stock cat it looks like which is gutted should it smoke a lot cause a friend of mine said its smoking really bad which it is and my rings are shot is that him just being a **** or it can be numerous things?

 

[heavymetal]

Congrats on the ram.

If I were you id spend some time on here searching..this forums loaded with great gearheads who do amazing writeups and work. If you search and cant find anwsers, your either doing something wrong or something you shouldnt lol

Bend those brake lines with your hand man, make sure their not rubbing on anything or close to exhaust.

As for the smoking you didnt mention what engine. Gas, ya that motors probably on its way out..

Post some pics and more info on the truck

Goodluck

 

[99dodgeturbo]

it has the 318 aka 5.2l finally got the brake lines done stops pretty good but the motor smokes like a train =( hopefully i can get atleast 5k out of it before i have to swap the motor

 

[crazzywolfie]

as far as bending brake lines go i picked up a cheap tubing bender. it is great for brake lines. not so great for fuel lines but great for break lines.

could try running some shell 15w40 diesel oil to clean out the engine and free up the rings.

 

[wingnut]

Ran my 5.2 till 289k, and it NEVER smoked. When I pulled it, I could turn the crank with one-hand! Worn- out, but didn't smoke. The brake lines turn to **** on these, so plan on a learning experience. This is the best tool for bending lines,49074 Mustang Eastwood Brake Forming Tool Pliers | CJ Pony Parts You can make the tighter radius than you can with the other tools. Trust me, you will need it. I have re-plumbed mine. Try to replace lines end-to-end. The lines are so bad you cant put a good splice in the middle. Most leaks are in the frame-rail, behind the gas tank! So just drop the tank, and do it right!

 

[99dodgeturbo]

my motor i believe has 105k on it all original besides clutch they said they just put a new one in when i start letting out the clutch the motor just wants to die and stall out have to give it like half throttle to stay alive idk if its just the 35in tires and no back pressure they previous owners said they ran the truck with headers and a gutted cat for about 2 years next week im f going to buy some exhaust tubing and straight pipe it and hopefully make it alil better

 

[mumbles84]

For smoke check for oil in the intake manifold either intake or pcv bad i removed my pcv and installed a breather filter

 

[wingnut]

Could always try a "cylinder-leak-down" test to determine the general health of the motor. About 2-3 hours of hard work. But very low $!