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MG MGA - Bubble or standard flares #2

Just to separate the original thread for which George hasnt had some answers for, I would like someone to confirm what is a "standard" flare.. is this like a "Y" if viewed sectionally from the side? All the fittings I have bought from MG suppliers are for the "bubble" flare...I bought a flaring tool thinking that it would handle the flares on my new brake lines for a servo unit, but it is a "standard" unit and it looks as though I will have to invest in a bubble unit.
Gary Lock

You might already have the bubble flaring tool! A bubble flare is just the first part of the double flaring process. I've never heard of a standard flare, but the Y cross section you describe is commonly called a double flare in the US.
Kemper

Kemper nails it. If you have a set that will do double flares then you can to the bubble flare.

I now check tees and banjo fittings before installation to be sure of what flare they actually are supposed to have. I've found banjos with both styles. Go figure. Fletcher would know why they made both styles.
Wray Lemke

Gary,
if you are working on an early MGA then all flares will be "bubble". There is one exception,as I found out on my "early" MGA Coupe. The rear 3way union may have both types of connections. The way to determine what type of connection you have is to look inside the brake cylinders,banjo bolts or 3/4 way unions. If at the bottom of these units you see a crater shape then this is bubble....on the other hand if you see a volcano shape ...this is flare. The rear 3way on my car had both. The hard lines running across the axle to the rear brake cyls were flared or actually BSW (british standarb whitworth thread) and the one hole for the rubber brake hose was bubble (UNF thread.)Another hint for the 3way would be if it bolts to the axle vertically it is the type I have. If it bolts to the axle horizontally it will be bubble (UNF) on all three sides.
Good luck Gord
Gordon Harrison

This thread was discussed on 13/03/2006

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