T-Mack1 Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 I have a question for those that know. On our 1957 fire truck with air brakes (B85F-1211), the treadle valve supply line is a flexible hose but all the other lines on the treadle are copper pipe. The question I have is, should that supply line be a flexible hose, or a copper pipe? If you have a 50's era truck, what's on yours The reason I ask ...... when we took the fuel tank out to get repaired, I figured I would take the mounting brackets (J-Brackets) off and clean and paint them and the frame rails. Well, to get to the bolts I had to push the flex hose a bunch and it now has a leak. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75654-question-on-1957-air-brake-treadle-valve-supply-line/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 1-flex is there; will be easier to replace with same, 2- the flex braided (? doubt ) or rubber flex ; basically a hyd line (#8)? remember treadle having a rubber (hyd) line ; don't recall which position. 3- won't be seen or change originality. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75654-question-on-1957-air-brake-treadle-valve-supply-line/#findComment-577401 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 could also be an aeroquipt clothe/ internal braid inside rubber lining having replaceable ends. leaking from movement -- dry rotted ? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75654-question-on-1957-air-brake-treadle-valve-supply-line/#findComment-577402 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Mack1 Posted June 13 Author Share Posted June 13 10 hours ago, mechohaulic said: could also be an aeroquipt clothe/ internal braid inside rubber lining having replaceable ends. leaking from movement -- dry rotted ? Flex line is cloth outer, then steel braid and I assume rubber inside. The cloth is falling off. Areoquip...... I did a year in "Valve Groom" at the Macungie plant, which is next to the Areoquip guys. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75654-question-on-1957-air-brake-treadle-valve-supply-line/#findComment-577407 Share on other sites More sharing options...
h67st Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Aeroquip hose is tough, but the steel braid rusts and the rubber gets rotten. I used nylon on my entire truck (except for the air compressor line). It's not original but it's cheaper than Aeroquip or copper and much easier to work with (cuts with a utility knife). It's been standard on all truck air brakes for over 40 years. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75654-question-on-1957-air-brake-treadle-valve-supply-line/#findComment-577412 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mack Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Thanks my brother and I are considering it instead of copper ,as we are not restoring to original , hell the ladder of our hook and ladder had been scrapped so we just have a 1957, red convertible with a five speed! What’s not to love about that! Tomorrow will be the first time in my life that I will be at Macungie truck show looking for vintage parts for our truck!…..Jack😎 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75654-question-on-1957-air-brake-treadle-valve-supply-line/#findComment-577414 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted Monday at 09:06 PM Share Posted Monday at 09:06 PM there is only so much we can do with keeping everything original,i think mine are also brass tubing,,,its been 30 years since i messed with it,,bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75654-question-on-1957-air-brake-treadle-valve-supply-line/#findComment-577626 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution T-Mack1 Posted 10 hours ago Author Solution Share Posted 10 hours ago On 6/16/2025 at 5:06 PM, mowerman said: there is only so much we can do with keeping everything original,i think mine are also brass tubing,,,its been 30 years since i messed with it,,bob Thanks Bob. In some of the clean up, I found that the unused brass 5/8" air line to the trailer that was just bangling, capped, under the tiller turntable (fire-truck fifth wheel to you none fire guys) was long enough to use. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75654-question-on-1957-air-brake-treadle-valve-supply-line/#findComment-577828 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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