The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts no brakes...

Ok Bolters, here is a question for you:
Due to some surgery I had to let my 1952 Chevrolet set since mid June; thankfully I'm back in fine fettle. When i went to go for a ride yesterday, I have zilch for brakes. The master clyinder is damp but empty- BUT I see no evidence of brake fluid anywhere on the floor. Anone have an idea of what is going on?
Sam
1952 Chevolet 2 ton... Ole Schuyler

The fluid is inside your hydro-vac. You're gonna need a new one, the bleed your brakes again.
Good luck,
Scott

Thanks Scott, that's exactly what my buddy and i figured, we were just looking for some confirmation. Now......anyone have a spare hydro-vac laying around?
Sam

Go to your local truck power train shop, the one in my area have two in stock for about $140. I was just there getting my street rods driveshaft made so I thought I would check into it. I have a bad one too,
Scott

Just out of curiosity, what would cause this? When I parked it in June, after a long run the brakes were just fine. I do know that Ole Scuyler has some vacume issues, and I need to adress them.

The power train shop says that engine blow-by (unburnt petroleum)eats away the diaphram inside the hydro. Since there's a vacuum inside it, it pulls the brake fluid from the actuator side of the hydro. Take your old one with you. There's several different brands and there is a core on them,
Scott

hey scott, how can i tell if the hydro-vac is bad and doing this??? if i fill the master cylinder how fast will it suck it in if its bad? and not just a leaky wheel clyinder??? i know my back right is leaking slowly, plan a rebuild of wheel clyinders and master clyinder soon, how will i know for sure hydro is bad???

I was going to ask the same question re: how much grace time do we have with the brake fluid?

It's probably different for every truck. But, if you have a wheel cylinder leaking, fix that first. On mine, I would use it maybe once a week if not less. Every time I would go get it, the master was dry and the pedal went to the floor. An external leak that big would show itself in a big way. I didn't have time to replace it at the time so I by-passed it and I haven't lost a drop since.
Scott

Scott:
I went to a couple of local shops here in search of a hydro-vac and they looked at me as if i had a thrid eye.
Might I get the name and phone number for your guys?
Thanks,
Sam

Sure,
It's Sadler Power Train Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Phone number is 319-366-8238,
Good luck,
Scott

In case your interested...

I wrote a tech tip on overhauling these.

Jeff

hey jeff, didnt look too hard, but where do i find a rebuild kit????

I got mine from ABS power brake, If you call them ask for Doug.

Most good brake shops should have kits but I dont think most of them like to sell the kits so you may have to argue with them to get one. Id try locally first so you can look at the parts before you buy and make sure you get what you need. Different kits have different pieces, plus theres different seal sizes on the small to larger units.

Jeff