1959 Chevy Impala Sport Coupe project
- Thread starter '59Imp
- Start date
Just because they are new does not mean they are better. More then likely made in China. You would be better to go to the wrecking yard.
If you can use your local resources you will find it to be a much better learning experience.
Yes Steve they are the same.
Your welcome. I know you said you fixed your fuel line, did you notice if it came out from under the upper control arm and if it was 5/16" or 3/8"?
'59Imp
Well Known Member
I am sorry Dan but this is one of the things that I am super horrible at.
I am super horrible at measuring those type of numbers on parts. I just plain and simple can't identify stuff like that.
The only way I can identify these type of measurements is when they are printed on, like tools.
So if you are wondering how on Earth I take apart bolts/nuts and stuff like that is I guess on what size it is and I take out a whole bunch of tools and see which one fits.
So long story short- I don't know what size it is. And since the fuel line is a round tube, I don't know how I can accurately size it trying to use a square-shaped tool...
Jackie, another way to I D the small 5/16" fuel line (that was used on the 6 cyl. and 283 engine cars only) is to look on top of the frame rail on the passenger side forward of the fire wall/heater box area. The small 5/16" fuel line will be routed alongside the even smaller dia. brake line on top of the frame, about an inch apart. Easy to see.
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Your brake light switch is a very "stock" GM part, used on many GM vehicles for many years. If you look at Ecklers site, one switch says 58-64, the other says 58-76, it is likely the same on a Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Chev, cars, trucks, you name it. You can pick it up locally at NAPA, etc.
It is a simple button switch, button out you have power to the lights, button in, no power. It mounts on a bracket on the steering column, and the wires that connect to it should be hanging there somewhere. That bracket should be there for you to see, with or without the push button switch, the button goes up against the side of the brake pedal facing toward you when you are sitting behind the wheel. You need the bracket to mount the switch. If you find the 2 wires, tape them together and your brake lights should be on, if you want to make sure they are working while you wait for a switch.
Like Dan says, much of the new stuff is poor quality Chinese stuff and a good used part is very often better. If you have a good junk yard close by, go there and get familiar with what they have there. Take pictures of any cars there and of any cars you get parts off, it may help you to look at them in future when you need more parts or need to figure out how something fits on your car.
Take pics too of all of anything you are working on before you take it apart, very helpful to put it back together. And, if you have it apart very long and can't find a part you think you took off, you can see if it was there in the first place.
Take pictures of all the area under you dash by the brake pedal and post them here, we may be able to see what you are seeing. If you have the shop manual now or soon, the wiring diagram is coded to tell you the colour of those 2 wires that go to the brake light switch.
Keep asking questions, we all love to answer them.
Don
It is a simple button switch, button out you have power to the lights, button in, no power. It mounts on a bracket on the steering column, and the wires that connect to it should be hanging there somewhere. That bracket should be there for you to see, with or without the push button switch, the button goes up against the side of the brake pedal facing toward you when you are sitting behind the wheel. You need the bracket to mount the switch. If you find the 2 wires, tape them together and your brake lights should be on, if you want to make sure they are working while you wait for a switch.
Like Dan says, much of the new stuff is poor quality Chinese stuff and a good used part is very often better. If you have a good junk yard close by, go there and get familiar with what they have there. Take pictures of any cars there and of any cars you get parts off, it may help you to look at them in future when you need more parts or need to figure out how something fits on your car.
Take pics too of all of anything you are working on before you take it apart, very helpful to put it back together. And, if you have it apart very long and can't find a part you think you took off, you can see if it was there in the first place.
Take pictures of all the area under you dash by the brake pedal and post them here, we may be able to see what you are seeing. If you have the shop manual now or soon, the wiring diagram is coded to tell you the colour of those 2 wires that go to the brake light switch.
Keep asking questions, we all love to answer them.
Don
Jackie, just my two cents worth, can you see the brake light switch wires hanging under the dash? If the switch has been removed, the wires should be hanging there. Look for a small mounting bracket for the brake light switch. If the bracket is missing, you might be better off looking at the salvage yard for the switch and bracket. If the brackets and wires are there, then you might try your local auto parts store for the switch. Also, an easy way to measure the diameter of a steel fuel or brake line is to use an open end wrench. Just take a 5/16" and 3/8" wrench and see what the smallest size is that fits over the line.
Best of luck,
Jim
Best of luck,
Jim
You type much faster than I do Don.
The nice thing about preferences is, there are so damn many to choose from!