The Stovebolt.com Forums Home | Tech Tips | Gallery | FAQ | Events | Features | Search
Fixing the old truck

BUSY BOLTERS
Are you one?

Where is it?? The Shop Area

continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.

Searching the Site - a click away
click here to search
New here ??? Where to start?
Click on image for the lowdown. Where do I go around here?
====
Who's Online Now
6 members (TUTS 59, BLUEMEANIE, Peggy M, Waveski, 55shaker, Joe W), 516 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics126,777
Posts1,039,282
Members48,100
Most Online2,175
Jul 21st, 2025
Step-by-step instructions for pictures in the forums
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 171
J
'Bolter
'Bolter
J Offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 171
I've tried a number of bleeds using both the standard bleed method as well as the 'pressure pot' method (pressure tank connected to the master cylinder)and cannot get a high pedal on the 58 Spartan I'm working on. This originally was an air over hydraulic system, which I converted to a vacuum over system, using a more modern type vacuum booster. The brakes stop well, but the pedal travel is so long that the pedal almost hits the floor. Could it be that the dual cylinders (all new/replaced) at the wheels are still trapping some air....should I try the vacuum type bleeders that are available? Your input would be much appreciated!!


1955 GMC 630, 1959 GMC W660, 1958 Chevy Spartan 80
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,189
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,189
Have you adjusted the brake shoes? It should almost take two hands to turn the wheel (heavy drag) when adjusted correctly.

Did you rebuild the MC? Is it the stock one or was it replaced with something newer?

I like the vacuum type bleeder. Don't forget to bleed the Hydrovac first.

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1956 8400 Wrecker w/Holmes 525
1956 9200 Tractor w/Allison Automatic
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1953 Willys M38A1 Fire Jeep
1978 Jeep CJ-5 Navy Jeep
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Hughesville, MD
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 171
J
'Bolter
'Bolter
J Offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 171
Thanks Mike for all the ideas. I will adjust the shoes tighter, as your description is definitely tighter than I have them. The MC was professionally resleeved and I rebuilt it carefully. Hmmm. I can't remember if I bled the vac unit first, but will make sure that I do; and I will try the vacuum bleeder (a friend just gave me one)....Thanks again...


1955 GMC 630, 1959 GMC W660, 1958 Chevy Spartan 80
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 48
D
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
D Offline
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 48
I had the same issue in my '55. It turned out that the residual pressure valve was faulty. That was seen by the ability to pump nearly 100% of the fluid out of the master, then it would refill after letting off the pedal. If you can double pump and get the pedal up to where you want it, this may be your issue. Wilwood makes an inline 10 psi residual pressure valve that works great if you need it.

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 171
J
'Bolter
'Bolter
J Offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 171
Thanks for this info. I'm not familiar with the residual pressure valve, nor am I sure where it would fit in the hyd system, but you have me curious and I will look at the Wilwood site. Are you using a remote booster, as in my case? or is it a booster directly attached to the master cylinder?


1955 GMC 630, 1959 GMC W660, 1958 Chevy Spartan 80

Moderated by  69Cuda, Super55 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Home | FAQ | Gallery | Tech Tips | Events | Features | Search | Hoo-Ya Shop
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0
(Release build 20240826)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 8.3.11 Page Time: 0.655s Queries: 14 (0.090s) Memory: 0.6079 MB (Peak: 0.6546 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2025-09-22 17:03:17 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS