Topic: BLEEDING BRAKES AND MASTER CYL
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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macedon, NY - USA
Joined: 7/20/2006
Posts: 367
Vette(s): 68 COUPE 454
HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS
ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND
MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP,
BUCKET HEADLIGHTS.
CAN-AM FRONT
RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20,
LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!
OK, so I just filled my M/C with brake fluid.
I opened the bleeder valves and waited for the lines to be gravity bled.
Waited 1 hour , nothing, came back another hour, still nothing.
I tried pumping the pedal, nothing still.
I let it set over night hoping it would just start bleeding. Nothing.
Now, I will say that I did not bench bleed the M/C. I just found out about this as I started reading.
Any good tips ????

Thanks,
Joe
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corvette440hp

Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
I have used pressure and vacuum successfully
I usually use vacuum on my American cars and pressure on my foreign (no reason other than I have a pressure bleed adapter that fits BMW and jaguar and don't have one for older Chevy master cylinders)
You can buy a vacuum bleeder kit at autozone for about 20$

Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
Also
Did you bleed master cylinder before connecting lines?

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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
A pressure bleeder will get the air out of the master, if it wasn't "bench" bled before installing it. I'm not all that hot on using the vacuum bleeders for anything other than getting the fluid down to the calipers....after that, it's time to really bleed them. Using the vacuum pumps(MityVac, etc) can suck air back into the calipers past the seals if yer not careful, so ya gotta watch it.
Joe, you prolly need to bench the master before going any farther. As is shown in the vid that Larry posted. Of course, it's easy if you don't have a car on top of the master, like that guy had! I usually put my masters in a bench vise, attach the vinyl hoses to it, and then use a large screwdriver to push the piston in/out, until there is no more air in the hoses. Yo can do it on the car if you have a helper, but....you're taking a chance on some of the brake fluid getting all over your nice fresh paint...
Gravity bleeding has never really worked for me...in order for that to work, you need to have fluid in the lines to start with. If the master wasn't bled first, it'll never happen.
Even WITH a pressure bleeder, I have to go around ALL of the bleeders at least 3 times to be certain all of the air is out of the system.
Joe, you prolly need to bench the master before going any farther. As is shown in the vid that Larry posted. Of course, it's easy if you don't have a car on top of the master, like that guy had! I usually put my masters in a bench vise, attach the vinyl hoses to it, and then use a large screwdriver to push the piston in/out, until there is no more air in the hoses. Yo can do it on the car if you have a helper, but....you're taking a chance on some of the brake fluid getting all over your nice fresh paint...

Gravity bleeding has never really worked for me...in order for that to work, you need to have fluid in the lines to start with. If the master wasn't bled first, it'll never happen.
Even WITH a pressure bleeder, I have to go around ALL of the bleeders at least 3 times to be certain all of the air is out of the system.
Joel Adams
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macedon, NY - USA
Joined: 7/20/2006
Posts: 367
Vette(s): 68 COUPE 454
HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS
ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND
MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP,
BUCKET HEADLIGHTS.
CAN-AM FRONT
RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20,
LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!
Guys,
thanks for the info.
I can "rent" a vacuum bleeder from advance auto.
No charge as long as you return it.
I'm going to try that first.
I dont feel comfortable taking the M/C off the car with it full of brake fluid.
I will try to get the fluid down in the lines to the calipers and then finish them the conventional way.
This may take a little longer but seems safer.
I wish I knew I had to bench bleed it first, but hindsite is 20/20!
Now when I use the vacuum pump, is the M/C cover on or off?
Thanks,
Joe

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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Cover OFF on the master for the vacuum bleed. Be sure not to draw too much of a vacuum at first...too much, and all you'll be doing is sucking air past the seals. Just pump it gently, until you see fluid coming thru the hose.
Start at the right rear, and be sure to do BOTH sides of the rear calipers...starting with the outer bleeder first...then the inner. Then move to the left rear, then right front, the left front.
hth.
Start at the right rear, and be sure to do BOTH sides of the rear calipers...starting with the outer bleeder first...then the inner. Then move to the left rear, then right front, the left front.
hth.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I have a vacuum bleeder and it does pull air into the calipers..I put an adjustable pressure regulator on it to knock down the air pressure down to 25 psi..it works then..leave the cover off the master when you do this and stay close to the master cylinder too as it will pull the fluid thru real fast once the fluid starts moving..once you get the fluid at all 4 wheels then pump the brakes to manually bleed them to finish it off..do this part with the cover clamped down on the master and keep an eye on the fluid level..it doesn't take long once you get the fluid moving..its just getting it to that point!

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macedon, NY - USA
Joined: 7/20/2006
Posts: 367
Vette(s): 68 COUPE 454
HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS
ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND
MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP,
BUCKET HEADLIGHTS.
CAN-AM FRONT
RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20,
LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!
Cool guys.
Thanks again.
I'll let you know how I make out tonight.
Joe
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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