It's on the line from the MC feeding the Dist. Block of a 67 Malibu that had manual drum brakes. That line feeds the rear brakes. Might not be stock but I think it is. I'm worried that if I put my '69 prop. valve (hold off valve) for the front 69 discs I've intalled, and don't know what this is, I might have probs. later when I get this thing on the road. Any input is welcome.


http://hgsr.net/carpics/Front_End/DISTBlk.JPG

herb,
that is the warning light for the split brake system.
if either the front or rear brakes fail, the valving inside gets pushed one way or the other and turns on the light on the dash, notifying you of a system failure.
i converted to front disc on my 67 and just added the correct proportioning valve on the master cylinder.
leave that distribution block in place.
david

p.s. i was able to polish mine up like brand new. it is brass.
pps. did i mention that i galvanized my frame also? :beers:

Thanks David. Good comment on the frame:D One by one I'll convince people that's the only way to go on preserving a frame.


The arrow is pointing to an adapter-looking fitting where that one line connects. Does your's have that? I know the center contact is for the brake failure light. Is the device on that one line part of it? It doesn't show up in the assy manual.

I'm using one of those '69 "hold-off" (proportion) valves mounted at the MC. You know, the one with the bypass button on it. Is that what you used? Any problems making things work?

This is a non stock adapter, or possible it looks like two adapters stacked together. I went out and pulled my original valve out (I've since converted to discs). My lines are original. The front line to the master cylinder is 1/4 whereas the rear is 3/16. From what I can observe in the picture, and the twisty shape of you lines, the front line looks like it has been changed out, perhaps to a smaller diameter line. Since a 3/16 section of line comes with a 3/16 nut and so on, they make adapters to fit a 3/16 line into a 1/4 opening (and so on). It looks like you have one or maybe two of these adapters to adapt the replacement line to the original size of the nut. If so, you are okay, but disassemble yours and inspect to make sure this is really what you have.

Post back more pictures if you need more help.

Zeke,

Thanks. I'll bet you're right. I wasn't aware of the 2 different sized line ports. I have a new set of stainless lines coming from Right Stuff. Maybe I won't need those adapter(s). I'll clean this pig up like David said and see what happens when I remove them.

:thumbsup:

I have to agree with Zeke Herb, my 67 original lines didnt look anything like that, the previous poster who said it had something to do with a brake failure valve is incorrect, the warning light is directly associated with the middle terminal, and measures pressure (mm of Hg) they are not complex enough to "turn off" a specific output, only send that electric information back to you via dash brake light, so you have enough time to grab the OH sh t handle and emergency brake in time. good luck Jason.

Thanks Jason, everyone who said double adapter was correct. I deslimed that dog and sure enough, nested adapters to allow the PO to put a 1/4 line spliceon the rear line. This is an example of not only sloppy repair work but unsafe and, in this state, illegal repair work. Splicing brake lines is a no no in Virginia and using the wrong size line is doubley wrong.

Since my frame restoration after galvanizing, I have returned the front-to-rear line to the correct size in SS from Right Stuff. I am using the stock distribution block and a MC mounted "hold-off" valve for my new disk/drum set up.

Thanks guys for the feedback. The dist. block cleaned up fine.

/herb