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#535811 05/08/2009 1:08 AM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 86
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 86
1959 Viking 60. I have rebuilt all the wheel cylinders, master cylinder and had the hydrovac proffesionaly rebuilt. I built a pressure bleeder that fits the top of the master reservoir. I have pumped about 2 gallons of fluid through and foolowed the shop manual instructions. Bled the hydrovac first but I still can't seem to get it to pedal up. My mechanic flat out refused to work on it. ( to his credit he is good on everything else) He says there will be air in the tops of the rear wheel cylinders that can't come out the bleeder valve because the valve is below the bubble and recommends taking the hubs off and unbolting the wheel cylinders to lay them out flat.
Does anyone have any tips or tricks?


Matt

"Brunhilde II" '59 Viking 60
To paraphrase Ben Franklin: "Big Bolts are proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy"
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,960
C
'Bolter
'Bolter
C Offline
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,960
It's been a long time since I have messed with hydrovacs and I have 2 of them that need replacing and I'm not looking forward to it. Hydrovacs have 2 bleeder valves. If you have a maintenance manual, I guess you are aware of that. Every time I have had problems with a hydrovac, it turned to be air in the hydrovac. I have never taken a wheel off to get air out of a wheel cylinder. If you live in midland, there should be someone out there who has worked on hydrovacs before that could help you.

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,068
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,068
Hey Matthew,
First you need to be absolutely sure the brakes are adjusted properly. On a total rebuild, I always adjust them up tight to the point I can't turn the tires. Then I power bleed. First through the hydro-vac then the rears, then the fronts. If the pedal is still too low and doesn't pump up, then adjust the pedal to master or booster rod. Not too tight until the shoes get backed off.
Good luck.

BTW, you won't have to remove the cylinders, the air comes out, especially with a power bleeder.


Scott Ward

2 1948 1.5-ton Loadmasters
The red one and The snow pusher
1 1950 3100
1 1955.1 Chevy 6500
1 1954 Chevy 6500 2-Ton
1 1955 1st Series COE 5700
1 1963 K20 (454)
1 1964 C10 (350)
1 1951 1.5-ton Dump Truck
1953 and a 1956 Ford F800

Raising a teenager is like trying to nail Jello to a tree!
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Posts: 86
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 86
I had already fully adjusted the brakes and backed them off until the wheels barely turned. What is the recommended max or min. pressure when using a bleeder? Is the master to hydrovac and then Hydrovac to cylinders essentially different circuits? I know fluid will flow all the way through but does the master to Hydro have to be absolutely air free first to get the rest of the system to bleed out?
Thanks for y'all help


Matt

"Brunhilde II" '59 Viking 60
To paraphrase Ben Franklin: "Big Bolts are proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy"
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,115
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,115
Is this the setup where the wheel cylinders are vertical? If so, isn't there a way of backing off the adjustment to put the piston down into the bore next to the bleeder? I seem to recall reading about that.


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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,068
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,068
On my bleeder we usually set the pressure at 15-20 PSI,
Scott


Scott Ward

2 1948 1.5-ton Loadmasters
The red one and The snow pusher
1 1950 3100
1 1955.1 Chevy 6500
1 1954 Chevy 6500 2-Ton
1 1955 1st Series COE 5700
1 1963 K20 (454)
1 1964 C10 (350)
1 1951 1.5-ton Dump Truck
1953 and a 1956 Ford F800

Raising a teenager is like trying to nail Jello to a tree!

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