Need Help '66 Brakes

[spyacoach]

We recently replaced both front and rear brakes, wheel cylinders, calipers and rotors on a '66 T-Bird. This car has a single-stage Master Cylinder and no proportioning valve that we have found.

We're completely unable to get ANY fluid through the front calipers, as in to bleed them and there is absolutely no pedal. When we bled the rears, we were able to get clean fluid through the bleeder valve, but it didn't seem like a very strong flow. We thought maybe the Master Cylinder, so we bought a new one, which specifically instructed NOT to bench bleed it, so we didn't. We bought the vacuum pump/bleeder device which doesn't seem to have much suction, but we THINK we've done everything right. We still get nothing through the front calipers, although there is not a blocked line, as when we disconnect them, there is a normal "Gravity Drip".

Can anyone offer up any suggestions? Have we missed something?

 

[verdejor]

if there is NO fluid to the front, loosen the line and with an assist on the pedal, see if you get the brake line to push out fluid...not gravity feed...if it will "push" fluid through the line. Most likely the line believe it or not. Only seen this happen 1 time on my old mercedes (brake caliper stuck)

good luck. will look back on your progress and think of something else.

 

[boaterbob]

The valve is below the master cylinder just above the steering box. The brake lines go to it. I like to use a power bleeder on my cars.

 

[kelpfish]

kelpfish

Have you resolved your brake problem yet? I just completed full brake system replacement on my Town Hardtop minus the brake lines. The valve proportioning valve was causing limited flow to the front calipers. I found a rebuilt valve from Thunderbird Headquarters. The power boster (band type) was "frozen" and also was causing part of the problem also. Everything is working great now.

 

[tommybird]

I just did my 66 MC. I can't imagine NOT bench bleeding, because you are just fighting air. Take off the MC fill it and bench it LEVEL in a vise with only 1 inch strokes ALOT until you get resistance to about 1/4 inch . Throw out that vacuum bleeder and get an assistant to pump pedal allowing it to fully return all the way up before pumping down . Bleed the rear pass wheel first then rear drivers then front pass... then drivers front.