The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Trouble trying to pressure bleed the brakes on my 59 3600

Hi all, I could use some advice regarding my brakes.. I lost the front brake line on the 59 3600 I'm restoring. Thought that while I'm in the brake system I might as well rebuild the M/C at the same time. All went well until I tried bleeding the brakes. I did bench-bleed the master cylinder before reinstalling in on the truck, and I'm using a pressure bleeder on the system and bleeding at about 20 psi. First time I went through the cylinders all worked well, second time front brakes bled easily, but lost all pressure in my back brakes. currently, with 20 psi on MC and both bleeder and removed screws from the rear cylinders there's no fluid coming out at all. Front brakes still bleed easily and not sure why. Does anyone have any ideas where to go from here? Brakes are stock, single chamber master cylinder with drum brakes all around and no hydrovac. Pretty simple system, not a lot to it.
Thought I'd check with you all before I start taking apart the rear brake lines..

Thanks,

Did you replace the hard lines? They rust from the inside out. 🛠

Change the flex line from the frame to the rear axle- - - -they collapse from the inside and block fluid flow.
Jerry

Just put '67 dual master on my '52 and it's surprising how fast those little reservoirs run dry when bleeding, esp with new/empty lines. Make sure there's plenty of fluid! Also, I'm more convinced than ever that bleeding brakes is more magic than science. Not really kidding when I say that.

All good info, especially the part about bleeding brakes being more magic than science. I'll give these a shot and let you know how lucky I am.

Regards,

Great call Hotrod Lincoln. That's what it was. Haven't had the truck on the road yet, but guessing the truck never had good rear brakes.

Sometimes wheel cylinders that are not replaceable have become rusted where the bleeder screw inserts, even with new screws, making conventional bleeding difficult. For example vacuum bleeding does not work in that case. Pressure bleeding also difficult if any rust around master cylinder. If one is by ones self, two 2 x 4's of suitable length can make bleeding a one person job, although slightly slower than with two people.

Ed