The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1951 one ton GMC brakeline upgrade

Hello Bolters. Thanks to all of you, this nonmotorhead has gotten past brake drums, shoes, cylinders and their adjusters with your help. Now I have removed the original single master cylinder and am upgrading to a dual. I'm in the process of removing the brake lines and cleaning off all of the Canadian soil that came with the truck. With the Factory Assembly Manual as a guide I have been removing and comparing the routes of the lines and notice a difference. The manual shows lines going forward to the drivers and passengers side front wheels. Makes sense. But my line crosses under the transmission on the cross piece and tees to the front and to the rear. The front line goes first to a tee at the passenger side wheel and continues forward, crosses back under the radiator and back to the drivers side front wheel. Seems like a roundabout route. Any reasoning behind this?
With the new dual cylinder setup I believe I can choose how best to route the lines forward and to the rear. I'm wondering if any of you could offer advise on choosing the best approach.
When I removed the master cylinder I was curious as to how much fluid was inside. So I mounted it in a vise and it required a hammer with the wrench to loosen the top. I was surprised to find it almost empty. Maybe 1/4 full in a truck that had petrified rear brakes. I mentioned it to the previous owner who responded " well it always stopped for me"!
Ricster

Best to get all new wheel cylinders, if possible, the labor to fix them up is not worth it.

Ed