John, sounds like the master cylinder needs to be bled. You're supposed to bleed it before hooking it up to the brake system. They usually come with some plastic fittings and plastic hose for doing it in the box. Bending up some scrap metal lines works too. Put the fittings into the master cylinder, attach plastic hoses so that they dump back into the reservoir, fill it with fluid, and pump the pedal until there are no more air bubbles. Then remove the plastic fittings and hook up your brake lines and proceed to bleed the rest of the system.
-Dave -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of John Nasta Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 8:56 AM To: Chevelle List Subject: [Chevelle-list] lost brakes Hmmm... My 69 El Camino seems to have lost its brakes (drum BTW). I replaced all of the shoes, wheel cylinders & hoses, and bled the rears (believe it or not, I can't seem to get my hands on a 5/16 line wrench for the fronts). Yesterday I started it for the first time with the intention of moving it (it was going to be the first actual drive, albeit in a back yard), but the pedal goes all the way to the floor, even if I pump it. It never seems to build any pressure. I used DOT3 fluid. The master was dry, but I am completely flushing the system, so the rears at least should be well bled out. The other big moment was when I went to put it in gear and nothing happened. I quickly put it back in park and hope that wasn't a total bonehead move, but now I'm thinking that maybe I just installed the transmission and never filled it. There is nothing on the dipstick. DOH! Unfortunately in the area where the car is, there isn't much nearby. It would have taken me about an hour to get trans fluid on a Sunday afternoon, so I'm blowing that off until next week. I also had the car out in the sun for insurance photos and noticed a few more things, but as my friend Jack said "the horse is dead". Anyway, let me know if you have any advice about the brakes. Thanks, John Nasta _______________________________________________ Chevelle-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://chevelles.net/mailman/listinfo/chevelle-list_chevelles.net _______________________________________________ Chevelle-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://chevelles.net/mailman/listinfo/chevelle-list_chevelles.net
