I have installed the Hollister Road front disc kit on my 53 1-ton, as well as their 1.25" bore master cylinder with the Wilwood proportioning valve. I also installed a 10-lb residual valve to the original rear drums. I bled each wheel twice after I got a steady stream of fluid at each wheel. All wheels have strong fluid flow when you push the pedal. You can hear the rear drums working.

Do not have a pedal at all, it goes to the floor.

When I push the pedal, the rear drums do stop the back wheels from spinning, but the pedal is on the floor. The front discs do not do anything unless I pump the pedal 8-10 times and then the front discs will stop the fronts from spinning. The pedal is still on the floor but you can feel some pressure. But as soon as I let off the pedal and push it again I have no fronts and no feel of pressure until I pump 8-10 times again. While I am rapidly pumping the pedal it feels like it is trying to build pressure but the pedal will go to the floor when I hold it.

The new master cylinder is in the stock location under the floor, but has a remote reservoir on the firewall. 1/4" brake lines all around.

My original stock master cylinder and front drums had done the same thing but not as bad, I could pump them 3 times and have a hard pedal. This new setup, no pedal.

Is there trapped air that won't bleed?

Do I need residual valves on the front?

I have never had this happen.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.


1953 GMC 1-Ton Pickup with 350 and 700R4