The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Bleeding by myself

Anyone have any experience with NAPAs Speed bleeders?
I have been doing this alone for two weeks. I've used the "mighty Vac" and still have air in the lines. Today I found a cracked brass "T" block (the one on the differential)and I'm hoping that is the problem.
The Speed Bleeders sound like a good idea, but does anyone have any opinions?

Hope to get it done this week so I can take the truck to the Decatur Swap Meet next Sat.

On bleeding brake lines without help. Get a rubber hose that will be a tight fit on the bleed
valve and long enough to reach into a coke bottle
sitting on the floor nearly to the bottom of the
bottle. Fill the bottle about a third full of fluid and fill the master cylinder. With the
bleeder valve loose at that wheel, slowly pump
the brake pedal. The fluid will fill the lines,
the air will go out the end of the line in the
bottle and the fluid in the bottle won't allow
air to suck back in the line because the line will
be in the fluid and will suck in fluid. About
every three pumps, check the master cylinder and
the bottle to be sure it isn't over-flowing or
being sucked dry. You'll get the hang to it after
a while. Do each wheel, starting with the farther
-est from the master cylinder.

From the Truck Tinker

I'll vouch for the method described by Truck Tinker. I bled my brand new brake system a couple of days ago using this technique and they firmed up nicely! I used a piece of clear plastic hose so I could watch the air bubbles as they moved from the cylinder to the plastic water bottle. It requires patience and several refills of the master cylinder. Pump 2 or 3 times and watch the bubbles, refill, pump, etc.
Tighten the bleeder valve when the bubbles stop, then go to the next wheel. You may not see a major change in the peddle action until the last wheel. Took me about 90 minutes, but I was in no hurry. Good luck!

truck tinker Welcome to the Bolt. Thats the way I have always done mine.

I also do mine the same way as truck tinker with one modification. I put the container with the fluid higher than the wheel cylinder so the bubbles float to the top and never get sucked back in at all.

I'm doing mine this coming weekend and will report back sunday evening.

I bought a little bleeder one time that is like a one way valve. It was under $10

It allows fluid to come out but not air back in. Works great. Too bad it is so small I misplaced it. I think I will pick up another one as I need to do some brake work as well.

Tony,
That sounds like a tool that I cannot live without! When you find your replacement, would you mind posting where we can get one please?
That would save alot of short trips between the master cylinder and the bleeder valve.
Thanks in advance!

Thanks guys for all the suggestions.
My question really was if the speed bleeders are a good idea.

The block I removed was cracked on TWO connections and I'm confident that that is the problem.
I've worked on this truck since my Dad bought it new in '59 and have bled the brakes many times.

The pressure system sounds interesting and I understand that is the way many pro shops do it.
When I get the new block installed tomorrow I'll let you know the problems I ran into then.

Thanks for your help and I'll keep you informed.

John Atherton

J.W. - Tinker's idea works the best, unless you havta, just havta, have another tool (like most of us!!). Use clear tubing, and a glass coke bottle (doesn't tip over as easy) to do it. When you do the rt. rear, angle your rt rear view mirror so you can watch the bubbles and fluid flow. This is also a great way to flush out your brake lines, as well. This should be performed every couple of years. The fluid will be rust colored until fresh fluid comes out.
Although Ralphs tool is great, I've seen less experienced personnel make a small mistake and have fluid all over the fenders and such.
Good luck!

Here's a wild idea. What if you went to Homedepot and got a extra long piece of clear tubing, long enough to reach the cab or somewhere nearby so you could easily watch the bubble action while sitting in the cab eating a sandwich, downin' a brew and yes a little brake pumping. Might cause you to never want to leave? Yes it might mean you are wasting a little more brake fluid because of the extra long tube but what the heck?

You could even take a next step further by going to a hospital supply store and buy one of those IV hanging rack thingy's on wheels that we always see next to a hospital bed with fluids dripping into a clear tube and wheel it all around the truck. Wait, how about using a IV bag instead of a coke bottle?

er...sorry about this last paragraph. With my truck in the calendar, I'm not thinking too clearly...

Now the real question is has anyone learned any easy way to easily fill a MC numerous times without spilling the juice all over your exhaust pipe.

This will be my first posting since registering, but I have been watching and enjoying this forum
very much.
About Mity-Vac bleeders. They can make you scratch your head by drawing so much air from a
brake system. Didn't figure this out until after
I started on my second large bottle of fluid.
These little suckers are so effecient at pulling a vacume that they will pull air in and around
your loose bleeder screw threads. Hope that wasn't your experience, but I think I wasted
a lot of fluid that way.