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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Steel Braided Clutch line Flare Angle

I ordered the stainless steel braided clutch hose #584-790 from Little British Car Parts. It comes with an adapter threaded onto the end of the braided hose which allows the flare nut of the steel clutch line to thread into it. Does anyone know if this adapter is for a 37 deg or 45 deg flare? I can't make it stop leaking a small amount of break fluid at this connection. The rubber hose line I'm replacing visually appears to have a more shallow bevel (45 deg?) at this connection but I can't be certain of this as its a visual call. Has anyone experience this problem?
Martin Straka

This is very odd. The steel pipe fitting should screw directly into the hose fitting. If this does not work, you have the wrong hose. The adapter fitting may be a "patch" to allow use of a substitute hose of different design. I have no clue about the adapter fitting, not being a standard part of the MGA.
Barney Gaylord

Hi Barney,

Yes there are adapters on booth ends which on one end allows the "generic" braided line to fit into the slave cylinder, and on the other end to thread with the clutch line flare nut and the external nut that fastens the line securely to the chassis bracket. The rubber line I'm replacing isn't generic and has the correct fittings manufactured with the line.

In both cases, rubber and braided, the clutch line mates with a beveled surface inside the hose connector ( in the case of the braided line this is in the adapter.) Does this bevel at the hose connector require a 45 deg. flare on the clutch line? Is a 37deg. flare that is sometimes found on cars ever used on the MGAs? - M.S.
Martin Straka

37 degree flare fittings are aircraft standard. Most, if not all, automotive flare fittings are 45 degrees. In some automotive performance applications, it is common to use AN standard aircraft fittings because they are high quality, and convenient for making up custom and heat resistant hoses. In those cases, you would find 37 degree flares.
Del Rawlins

Martin

One solution is to find a shop that makes "Earls's" brake and hydraulic lines. Take your old hoe in and have them make a replacement, SS braid and teflon interior. I did this for my C and am very happy with the results.

FWIW

Larry

58 A
Larry Hallanger

It appears the original single lapped flare on the clutch line was done carelessly as the flare is uneven, although it worked without a trace of leaking on the rubber line. I have a flaring kit that is for plumbing but it won't do the double lapped flare and I assume the single lapped flare is inadequate for my application. Anyone have advice on purchasing the double lapped flare tool to use on the steel lines. I assume it has to hold the lines extra tight in the flare clamp to work with the harder steel lines and make a more complex bend (as compared to more malleable copper lines used in plumbing which is what my flare tool works with.) - M.S.
Martin Straka

Martin, to make good double flares you need a tool with the correct die to form the second flare. Sears has one for $20 which will do the job. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Hand+Tools%2C+General+Purpose&pid=00947063000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Plumbing+Tools&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
Bill Young

This thread was discussed between 29/07/2007 and 01/08/2007

MG MGA index

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