Hydraulic system disassembly-reassembly

[TulsaFred]

I'm about ready to pull the engine from my Bugeye and will then prep and paint the engine compartment. To do this well, I guess I'll need to take out the Master Cylinder and hydraulic lines. The system (brakes and clutch) work great now. I've never reassembled and bled a hydraulic system from scratch. I've got speed bleeders installed currently.

How much of a pain is it to do this?

What steps should I follow?

any tips appreciated!

Fred

 

[Billm]

Take GOOD (and lots of) pictures first!
BillM

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Use a good "line wrench" so that the fittings do not have the corners rounded over.

 

[elrey]

Excellent point! The right wrench for the job... A few of my buddies think that I actually hide my adjustable wrenches when they come to use my shop and tools. Guess what?

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Probably called a Flare nut wrench in modern terms.

 

[TulsaFred]

I assume I'll need to drain all the fluid first. How to do this with minimal mess? Disconnect wheel cylinder and slave cylinder connections first?

 

[Spriteman65]

I have always used a turkey baster to suck the fluid out of the master cylinder (just don't tell your wife). Not sure if the cap on the MC is large enough on these cars to get one in there or not. If that doesn't work anything with a squeeze bulb and a hose on it should do the trick.

 

[MikeP]

I wouldn't drain the entire system, leave fluid in at the four corners. Reason is depending on how long the cleanup takes the seal could start to dry out and develop leaks when back in use.

 

[vagt6]

A big syringe works well, too. Got mine a the local pet supply store, cheap.

The turkey baster is <span style="text-decoration: underline">far too dangerous</span>: that is, IF the wife discovers it . . . :lol:

 

[Billm]

I found that the pharmacy at the grocery store will give out syringes for free (small but they work).
My son's class was doing a science experiment and needed them and the school said that the pharmacy would give them out.
May be true in your area too.
BillM

 

[vagt6]

Here's what I'm talkin' about. It's for large animals, cows, I think. Holds up to 2oz.

I use it for all kinds of stuff and it's excellent for drawing fluid out of the master/clutch cylinder. Most pet supply stores have them. I purchased mine at Southern States Co-op store: