Installed master cylinder, how to get pressure?

[Luke_Healey]

I finally honed my dual master cylinder for my '66 Sprite tonight. I am sort of worried at the amount of metal I had to take off of the clutch side in order to get past the pitting. The original piston seals were loose-ish when I tried them for fitment. However, the new seals seem tight. Tighter than the original seals were in the bores before I started. So I have my fingers crossed.

Everything is put back together correctly. The parts are all installed properly.

I filled the reservoir with brake fluid, but after much pumping, I wasn't able to get any pressure built up. Is there any trick to this? I didn't roll the car outside to jack it up and undo the bleed valves at the wheels and clutch. I was just checking to see if I could build up pressure.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[scoutll]

Luke

If you have a lot of air in the lines, you aren't going to get anything until you bleed them. The air is just going to compress.

 

[Luke_Healey]

If it stays nice outdoors I'm just going to use my mityvac to suck fluid through the lines.

 

[BugEyeBear]

You probably still have a lot of air in the system.

Bleed the entire brake system & then you should get a firm pedal.

Start bleeding at the wheel cylinder located the furthest away from the master cylinder, then the next closest (this will finish the rear axle), then the next closest (furthest away at the front), then the closest (the other front). You should now have a firm pedal.

Make sure your parking/emergency brake is properly adjusted BEFORE you take her out for the 1st road test. (just in case!)

Some useful tips:
Bleeding Clutch Lines

PM How To Bleed Brakes

Wiki Brake Bleeding

Bleeding Brakes FAQ

Make Youe Own Inexpensive Brake Pressure Bleeder

Best Of Luck!

-Bear-

 

[Luke_Healey]

thanks!

Bleed the furthest from the distribution block right? My distribution block sits closer to my front passenger wheel, but the master cylinder sits closer to the front driver wheel.

 

[BugEyeBear]

Yes, I guess I should have said the longest brake line from the master....

You got the idea...

-Bear-

 

[Sarastro]

I've never had much luck with the mity-vac for bleeding brakes. It keeps sucking in air around the bleed-screw threads, so I never get all the air out. And, of course, the clutch is a notorious pain in the tush to bleed.

Best thing I've found is to bleed the suckers the old fashioned way, with one guy in the car and another at the bleed nipple. I just recruit my wife to push on the brake pedal. Of course, if you have kids they'd probably love to do that.

 

[jvandyke]

if you have kids they'd probably love to do that.

Mine no longer feel the thrill of pedal pushing for Dad. Synonymous with bed making and room clean up.