Brake bleeding problems - stock '40 Ford
 

Having trouble getting new master cyl to bleed - nothing coming out of the master cyl while doing the pump and hold method of bleeding. Is it necessary to bench bleed it beforehand? I don't remember having to do that on cars I've done brake work on in the past, but maybe I was just lucky!

Re: Brake bleeding problems - stock '40 Ford
 

bench bleeding is the easiest way to get started otherwise it takes a lot of work to bleed MC on car. remember the MC is below the wheel cylinders-modern car MC's are above the wheel cylinders which make gravity your friend!

Re: Brake bleeding problems - stock '40 Ford
 

Make sure you have free travel in the pedal push rod so that the master cylinder is fully returning. If it is there was a previous post that some new master cylinder were assembled and the piston is not returning behind the very small hole in the reservoir and wiil not let the master cylinder purge air and thus let the master cylinder take in more fluid.
Steve

Re: Brake bleeding problems - stock '40 Ford
 

How do u dertrmine free travel of push rod?

Re: Brake bleeding problems - stock '40 Ford
 

If I remember they called for like 3/16". As long there is that little bump before the pedal pushes the piston in the master cylinder you should be good.
Steve

Re: Brake bleeding problems - stock '40 Ford
 

Speed bleeders are your friend. Dont push the pedal to full stroke on a single circuit system, its not good. Slow and steady strokes and every so often lock off the bleeder and give it a few pumps and start again.