The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1952 1 1/2 TON TRUCK BRAKE PROBLEMS

I have a 1952 1 1/2 ton Chev farm truck that I'm trying to get working again. It runs halfway decent, but I have a brake problem. I can fill up the fluid reservoir and pump the brakes up, but when I try to bleed the brakes, I can't get anything to come out. If I keep pumping the brakes, I have good brakes, but as soon as I let off the peddle for a few seconds, it goes back down and I have nothing. What am I missing?

There is no automatic brake adjustment. Make sure they are all adjusted right up. There are peep holes in the front drum to check how close the shoes are to the drum (they should be dragging a bit) and how much wear is left.
The adjusters on the rear can be very truculent, and may be seized or sheared. Use the handbrake to provide some adjustment- leave it mostly on and see what the foot pedal does.
Once they pump up is the pedal firm or spongy? Maybe they need a bleed.

When bleeding brakes: There is a sequence that you need to follow,if you have a hydrovac-equipped system. You need to bleed the hydrovac first,and that unit has two bleeders. More info. on this subject in the "Tech Tips" section. Like "anyoldiron" said,make sure your brake shoes are dragging-insures proper brake pedal/pressure. Good Luck!

Thanks for both of the replies. I think my next step is to know whether or not my truck is equipped with hydravac. How can I tell?

How do I know if the truck is hydrovac-equipped?

Under the right side of the cab it should look like this one.

http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/cart/product.asp?prodid=REME122&i=10187|||||

Or it may look like mine, LOL

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee255/Mieufarmer/20151108_134501_zpspf4kmuuc.jpg

And here is the best info for the hydrovac

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/bendix/erickson/