Mark VII Brake Reservoir Low Pressure Hoses

[ronbug]

Hello Gents! Newbee here in Chicago. I have been reading the threads here for a few years now and it has great information. I have a 1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC daily driver with 259,000 miles now. I have run across a problem obtaining a part for it. The Brake reservoir low pressure hose at the bottom of the reservoir with a 90 degree bend going into the cast housing is leaking and I want to replace it. I went to the Lincoln dealer and they said the low pressure hose kit 2C252 (Contained both the lower and upper hoses) was discontinued in 2005. Then went to Lee Auto Parts and Pep Boys Auto and they are worthless. Any ideas would be helpfull. It appears that the hoses are a push on type with a braided cloth outer sleeve. Does anyone know the hose I.D.? I am thinking maybe an EPDM hose would be good for brake fluids??
Thanks,
Ron

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

I hate Canadian geese. Ask the guys at thelincolnmarkviiclub.org; I am sure if they cannot point you in the right direction, someone has one they can give you.

 

[Elessee]

hey.. we have the same car.. except mine has less miles.. only 258,002.

Clear vinyl tubing will work. Hardware and maybe auto-parts stores will have it. I'm almost positive the ID on those hoses is 1/4 inch. I don't see any clips on the hose ends and I think they just push on to the nipples but a couple of small hose clamps /spring clips can't hurt.

While the stock hose takes a sharp 90 degree bend, I see no reason to try and copy it. There's room for a fairly wide, smooth bend. Of course you wouldn't want any kink in this hose, so it's length and route should be chosen with some care.

As for the braided cloth covering on the stock hoses, it looks to be there for abrasion resistance. I have seen internally reinforced vinyl tubing on rolls at hardware stores. I guess you could find something to protect the outside. Maybe wrap it with some kind of cloth tape..

Heat-wise, vinyl is good up to about 175F (80C). It loses some of it's plasticizers and it gets brittle if constantly exposed to temps above that. Since some areas in an engine compartment might be in that range, I'd check the hose once in a while.. and carry some spare pieces of tubing.

Standard neoprene, as used for gas lines and vacuum stuff will not work in this application. It will swell in brake fluid (glycol-alcohol stuff). I dunno about EDMP or other similar plastics' suitability..

Alternately, you might visit the local bone-yard and take a hose off of a dead Lincoln.