Bleeding hydraulic system on a convertible top for my 66 tbird

[parussky]

Well, I am at the stage of getting the top on this car running. Last time it was cycled was in 1999 when I bought the car. When I ran the top down a couple of weeks ago, the locks would unlock, but the pump wasnt running. We opened up the deck lid and found that the pump would pop the circuit breaker when going one direction but not the other.

I took the pump out and totally disassembled it and found a broken brush which we replaced. Motor runs fine now. Did find a thick (1/4") coating of reddish goo at the bottom of the reservoir. The fluid in the reservoir was clear not cloudy and had no red color like atf does. Almost looks like the red component of atf came out of solution. We cleaned all of the goo out and now want to reassemble hydraulic system.

I have brand new hoses and have disconnected all 4 rams. The fluid in each of the rams appears like normal atf. I plan on pumping out all of the fluid in each ram and then refilling on my bench before reinstalling into car.

How do you bleed this system after everything is back together?

Rich Bailey
Tucson, AZ

 

[tbird5866]

I usually use the top pump with the cylinders disconnected. Cycle the pistons in and out while making sure there is fluid in the system As air is pumped out, you will need to replenish the fluid.

 

[Dan42]

There is a system called
Fluid-Matic Convertible Filling & Bleeding Tool that I used on my 64. It works like a charm. Here is a link. .

Convertible Top Parts From Convertible Service