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Topic: Home-made pressure brake bleeder

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (1/20)
4/23/08 11:37pm

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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7191

[QUOTE=StreetShark]Build your own pressure bleeder on the cheap!

If you have an air compressor: http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/brakebleeding.jpg

For those without an air compressor: http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm

JR

[/QUOTE]

FOUND IT...!!! The link to the BMW-M site is the one I used to make the bleeder I used on Ed's car at Hot Springs. Instead of drilling and tapping an extra M/C cap I used a flat piece of 1/4 inch steel with a piece of rubber glued to it as a gasket. Two c-clamps held it on the M/C without any leaking. I'll take a couple of pictures of it and try to have them posted by the weekend.

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (2/20)
4/24/08 7:17am

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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...

Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188

That is pretty sweet Jim... and I am pretty sure it got some good reviews at Hot Springs!

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (3/20)
4/24/08 8:38am

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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp

Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

Thanks Jim for posting. I was wondering how you sealed the M/C. I have lots of rubber and steel around. I'm not sure where the air is coming from, but I have to bleed them 2-3 times a year. All new lines, M/C I see no leakage. Non power so my brakes suk anyway.

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (4/20)
4/24/08 8:40am

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Klamath Falls, OR - USA

Vette(s):
74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles, all original; paint, interior, engine, split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 1059

Thanks Jim. Good info. I am going to make one.... Thumbs%20Up

Thumbs%20Up

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Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

Home-made pressure brake bleeder (5/20)
4/24/08 9:46am

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Fantastic knowledge............thanks for sharing!

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (6/20)
4/24/08 12:52pm

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Waterford, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Red coupe

Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1735

My neighbor made one like this only he used aluminum instead of steel. I borrow it when I need it and it works great, just don't forget to keep the resivor full.

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73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
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Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

Home-made pressure brake bleeder (7/20)
4/24/08 1:28pm

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Wichita, KS - USA

Vette(s):
2005 Daytona Sunset Orange Metallic Coupe --------------------- Sold 1974 T-top, 4 spd to BillKS

Joined: 11/10/2003
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I made one awhile back and it works great. I used 1/8" aluminum plate for the adapter. The only major difference is I put a metal valve core in the sprayer instead of a pressure gauge and check the tank pressure with a tire gauge. I also kept the M/C full by putting some brake fluid in the sprayer. Just be careful when you take the adapter off, the M/C is full.

Larry

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (8/20)
4/24/08 1:38pm

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[QUOTE=Dejablu]I made one awhile back and it works great. I used 1/8" aluminum plate for the adapter. The only major difference is I put a metal valve core in the sprayer instead of a pressure gauge and check the tank pressure with a tire gauge. I also kept the M/C full by putting some brake fluid in the sprayer. Just be careful when you take the adapter off, the M/C is full.

Larry

[/QUOTE] Very, very, good advise........you know your stuff. Thanx Larry!

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corvette440hp

Home-made pressure brake bleeder (9/20)
4/24/08 8:32pm

2tonevette1981
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Hillsboro, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1981 beige/bronze

Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148

thanks Norsky will have one soon

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (10/20)
4/25/08 11:25am

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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7191

The corvettefaq link actually shows the cover I made. I drilled and tapped two holes in the piece of steel I used so I wouldn't have to unclamp the cover once I had it all connected. I put a t-fitting on the hose from the sprayer and then shut-off valves so I can direct the feed to either side of the M/C.

I put brake fluid in the sprayer and pump it up into the M/C. I've noticed some air bubbles going into the M/C that actually cause the level in the M/C to go down a little while bleeding so when I disconnect everything the M/C levels aren't overflowing. Before putting the M/C cover back on I top the fluid levels off and I'm good to go.

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (11/20)
4/26/08 8:09am

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Thanks Jim!! Off to the hardware store!!!

Home-made pressure brake bleeder (12/20)
4/27/08 5:42pm

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Poquoson, VA - USA

Vette(s):
73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.

Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023

[QUOTE=Norsky]

The corvettefaq link actually shows the cover I made. [/QUOTE]

Hey Jim.. this may sound dumb... but where is the corvettefaq link ? been her a while but don't recall seeing that... Embarrassed

Embarrassed

Oh.. OK.. never mind, If I looked closer to the first post I would have known... I thought it was a link on C3vR... duhhh...

2 cruzn2008-04-27 14:44:17

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (13/20)
4/27/08 8:52pm

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Hot Springs, AR - USA

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

Joined: 4/24/2004
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another easy was is a vacuum pump and a coke bottle

the exact opposite system... suck the fluid out.

i have a two liter coke bottle rigged up with plastic tubing (enough to reach all four wheels. then in the cap i have the suction tube. ( i used hot glue to seal up the holes.

with a small 20$ vacuum pump, about 10$ of plastic tubing and a 1$ coke bottle you can create a vaccum bleeder.

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (14/20)
4/27/08 10:45pm

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1980 with a Banks Twin Turbo 1969 Convert Big Block 1996 Grand Sport Convert

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So what would happen if You used Plexiglass for the Plate. Then You could see the Fluid Level. Just a thought.

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (15/20)
4/27/08 11:25pm

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Wichita, KS - USA

Vette(s):
2005 Daytona Sunset Orange Metallic Coupe --------------------- Sold 1974 T-top, 4 spd to BillKS

Joined: 11/10/2003
Posts: 6859

Plexiglass might work if you trim the rubber seal enough to see into the M/C. Also, gotta be careful with the C-clamps that clamp the plate on the M/C. Plexiglass may crack or break if tightened too much.

Larry

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (16/20)
4/28/08 11:38pm

jayare
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Posts: 475

The bleeder I built is a little flimsy but recently I put it to the test and it worked great.

I started by purchasing a cheap one gallon garden sprayer ($9.00) at

Walmart and a pressure gauge ($4.00) at the local Farm & Home. Member mkapp was kind enough to help with its construction and send me an extra MC top he had squirreled away. I had thought I needed a MC cap so I could check the fluid more easily by using the stock bails and wouldn't have to fool with clamps.....but "duh", I don't have to check the fluid level if I have plenty of fluid in the sprayer.

I shortened the sprayers wand by about 75% because I didn't need a lot of wand sticking up high from the MC cover. I then drilled a hole in one dome of the cover and stuck the threaded tip of the wand through the hole and screwed on the adjusting tip with silicone. I then drilled a hole in the upper side of the tank and fastened the pressure gauge with washers, nut and silicone.....made sure all connections were tight and "it worked".

The manual stated the bleeding sequence for my 78 is ....left rear inner.....left rear outer....right rear inner....right rear outer....left front....right front.

When I finished the back bleeding I turned the MC cover around so the hole with the wand was then on the front reservoir and proceeded to bleed the fronts.

Worked like a charm but, like I said, my system is a little flimsy so I may modify mine at the MC and use a flat piece of something that's more rigid and plan on clamping it on instead of using the bails with cover.

Home-made pressure brake bleeder (17/20)
5/5/08 12:48am

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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7191

Sorry to take so long getting these photos posted. Click on any photo for a larger version.

I noticed when posting these I have forgotten a couple of clamps on either side of the tee fitting. So far the connections have held and not leaked. Also don't forget to drill a vent hole in the cap of the recovery bottle so the system isn't pressurized.

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"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Home-made pressure brake bleeder (18/20)
5/5/08 3:08am

79rebuild
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Yelm, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.

Joined: 7/12/2007
Posts: 356

dang that looks professional came out nice good job! Looks way better than the one I made, I used a 3/16 piece of steel and it was pretty flimsy. started rusting out pretty quick too. I'm digging the milk jug and valves that's brilliant. Now, how much are you selling them for? Big%20smile Slap a C3VR sticker on em and put em on ebay.

jayare thanks for posting how you did with an old mc cover! I was wondering how that worked out.

79rebuild2008-05-05 00:09:52

Home-made pressure brake bleeder (19/20)
5/5/08 10:02am

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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp

Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

That's really cool Jim. Question. How did you seal the Gage? And is it possible to not use Gage, and just give it 4-5 pumps or would you risk too much pressure?

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Home-made pressure brake bleeder (20/20)
5/5/08 12:10pm

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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7191

[QUOTE=79rebuild]... how much are you selling them for? Big%20smile

Big%20smile

Slap a C3VR sticker on em and put em on ebay. ...[/QUOTE]

Hadn't thought about that. Somehow I think I might run into some patent rights and naming issues...!!! LOL

LOL

LOL

LOL

[QUOTE=my7T1]... How did you seal the Gage? ...[/QUOTE]

I used a washer on either side and some silicon gasket goop. I need to rework it some as there is still a bit of an air leak when I put pressure on the tank.

[QUOTE=my7T1]... And is it possible to not use Gage, and just give it 4-5 pumps or would you risk too much pressure?[/QUOTE]

The gauge is optional (as mentioned in the BMW link). If I were to do it again I would probably go with an in-line gauge to get a better seal or not use the gauge at all.

fyi - the valves are fuel shut-offs for small engine applications. All the miscellaneous parts (fittings, clamps, 3/16" & 1/4" clear hose, and valves) I picked up at my local NAPA store. The sprayer tank and pressure gauge I picked up at Northern Equipment. The 1/4" steel piece was from the scrap pile at the body shop where "BIGBRRD" is getting worked on. I "reconditioned" it at my neighbors using his sandblasting cabinet and other cutting/grinding/drilling/tapping tools. The piece of flat rubber used for the gasket was also from the body shop "extra parts bin".

Norsky2008-05-05 09:39:17

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Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

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