The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Brakes on 1963 C-60 Dump Truck

I am getting ready to buy a 1963 Chevy C-60 dump truck. The brake pedal has to be pumped 3-4 times to get pressure. This will stop the truck but as soon as I let off the pedal I have to pump them again.

Does anyone know what the problem is? I have a couple of theories but no experience with this truck yet.

Thanks,
Crimsonlake

Bleed the air out man. . .bleed them and top it off or they are way out of adjustment. . .

Mikey D

most common problem air in the system flush entire system with new fluid as this will get rid of air

I agree, probably air in the system. Brake systems seem to be one of the most neglected systems.

The best thing to do when you get an old car or truck is to flush the system. Like said before it removes the air and it also gets rid of rust and contaminates in the system.

Danny-Southeast Missouri

Thanks for the replies. There is a booster under the driver side running board. Does that need bled somehow? If so, what is the best method?

Is the booster part of the master cyl, or a seperate unit all together?

If seperate and IF the booster is functional (best way to check is to pump up the brakes as you sedcribed with the engine off, then start it up, if it's working you should feel the pedal go down a bit more as the booster comes online), there are two bleeders on the top, on at the top if the main assembly, and one at the top of the end cap where the outlet line is.

Bleeding method is from closest to furthest in relation the the master cylender, so start at the top of the booster, then the end of the booster, front wheels, rear wheels. Keep a close eye on the fluid level in the master!
I had to go through my system a couple time to get all the air out, but once you have the air out and the brake shoes adjusted properly you should be good to go.

I would adjust them first. They may not need bleeding.

Thanks again. I will try those options.

Bleeding method is from closest to furthest in relation the the master cylender, so start at the top of the booster, then the end of the booster, front wheels, rear wheels. Keep a close eye on the fluid level in the master!
I had to go through my system a couple time to get all the air out, but once you have the air out and the brake shoes adjusted properly you should be good to go.

Actually Crimson, you should be good to stop!

After learning the hard way, my advice would be to adjsut the shoes first then you can tell more about whether there is air in the lines. We ran two gallon of fluid thru our truck before realizing this.

Funny, but I've been taught to always bleed air from the rear wheels forward not vice versa as is indicated by Freq 2002. I guess one of us is right. That is how I've always done it and never had a single problem. It is because the fluid would displace the air and it (air)would seek the weakest, or furthest and highest level. Makes sense to me.

I believe you are mistaken. If you do this, you'll just push the air from the rear right back to the front. Bleed brakes from furthest to closest in relation to master cylinder or you'll just chase your tail all day long.

Me too.
Furthest to closest

Grigg

Take your pick...Joe
How to bleed brakes #1
How to bleed brakes #2
How to bleed brakes #3
How to bleed your brakes #4

I could post more but why.

chevy manuel furtherest to closest

Yanno, it doesnt really matter what method is the best one if what you do works for you. I go from what I was taught by professional mechanics, my experiences as a mechanic, and what the book says. And oddly enough, they are all pretty much the same.
But again, what works for you, works for you.

I have this to present for consideration, taken directly from the GMC 55-59, models 100-500 manual:
Page 173 describes the advised method for bleeding the brake system and refers to this bleeding sequence chart, showing what I described, only variation is it tells you to do the left wheels first, then right, and redo the booster, vs. my usual method of front, rears, then repeat whole process.

Check the fluid first, Bleed the hydrovac booster & the brakes.
Check your fluid after each wheel, start on the right rear than L R -- R F -- L F Also check that there are no leaking lines or wheel cyl's.