Brake line fittings

[btljuice]

Installing my new power booster and master cylinder on my ‘70 with a Duff kit. The brake fittings included these copper nipples - where should they be used? The kit only included 2 so I assume they are only used on one side (into MC ports or the proportioning valve.Brake fitting parts

 

[bronco italiano]

Those just don't look right.

 

[DirtDonk]

I have seen that type of thing before. But my memory was telling me they were sort of a patch kit if the tip of your existing tube, or the seat inside the usual fitting was buggered up.
The washers would deform over the irregularities when you tighten them down to aid in sealing.

I could be way off on that though because I’ve never personally used any.
Just that I’ve seen them before.

 

[Apogee]

Conical copper crush washers are a common industrial part for sealing damaged inverted flare seats, and occasionally in applications where the port depth (too deep) may not be compatible with the tube nut length (too short). That said, they can be used with automotive brakes so long as there is adequate thread engagement between the tube nut and whatever it's threading into, and they work pretty well. Stainless lines that aren't flared perfectly on centerline of the tube are notoriously hard to seal, so I've had several customers go the conical crush washer route to avoid remaking all of their hard lines.

The conical crush washers pictured look thinner than what I'm used to, but in general, crush washers are a single-use item.

 

[DirtDonk]

Thanks for the clarification Apogee.
Maybe these are thinner to avoid the pitfall of not enough threads?
Easier to deform over the seat and less likely to reduce the available thread count.

 

[Oldtimer]

Easier to deform over the seat and less likely to reduce the available thread count.

Thats a good story. . . . .but I suspect the price of copper has a lot to do with thinner washers.

 

[DirtDonk]

Nah, when did anyone ever make a business decision based on cost? Pffft…
Especially when the decision is to include some extra parts, on the off chance they might be needed.
Besides, these are handmade in a sweatshop, so are super affordable. The curve comes from pressing a piece of copper down with a fingertip over a shaped pencil eraser.
Very accurate and consistent!

 

[brbuilder]

Some additional info on flare seals for AN Fittings. They are very thin and are made from aluminum or copper.​

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SECO 7, AN 37 Degree Flare Seal​

SECO 7 Seals can solve the most persistent leaks in your AN plumbing. They are especially indispensable when connecting flared tubing to male AN fittings with AN tube nuts and tube sleeves. They can also compensate for misaligned tubing and imperfect flares.
Originally developed for NASA, the soft annealed 37° conical seals act as a crush washer on the male AN flare. They help to ensure reliable, leak-free seals while preventing damage to the tubing or the AN fitting. They can even help rescue fittings that have been damaged at the seat from debris, overtightening, or manufacturing irregularities.

Each size is available in Aluminum or Copper. Use aluminum seals with aluminum tubing and fittings; use copper seals with steel tubing and fittings. (Use aluminum seals with aluminum-to-steel joints.) Seals are sold individually. Keep some in your toolbox and be ready for the unexpected!
"A dash three size conical seal won a championship race for us. I carry a full range of the things in my toolbox and consider anyone who knows about them and does not carry them to be foolish."
-- Carroll Smith, Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners, and Plumbing Handbook