The Ford Barn

Mart · 05-12-2022, 02:45 PM

Hello. I just had to bleed the brakes on my Sedan. I had a friend helping and tried all the usual old fashioned techniques. We pressed the pedal while the bleed nipple was open, pumped up pressure while then opening the nipple, we even used a vacuum pump to try and draw fluid through.

It was an exercise in futility.

Finally I stopped and took the time to make an adaptor for a pressure reservoir type system. It was a 30 year old Gunson's Eezi Bleed.

It worked first time, moving enough volume of fluid at a steady enough rate to finally flush all the air out.

The pedal was high up and rock solid. (I had adjusted the brakes up tight).

We couldn't believe how well it worked after struggling for so long using all the other tried and tested methods.

I don't have speed bleeders before anyone asks.

Just thought I'd mention what worked for me.

Mart.

Kube · 05-12-2022, 05:41 PM

Mart, I made an adapter for my pressure bleeder perhaps 20, maybe 25 years ago.
SO very nice

With all of the fresh restorations I have done, I found this is the only way to quickly and positively fill all the new lines, cylinders, etc.
No fuss, no muss.

oldford2 · 05-12-2022, 07:24 PM

Please explain your exercise in futility comment. I always bled my brakes with 2 people. My wife and I. Always worked fine. Then I installed speed bleeders and they work great. I push a hose on the bleeder to a collection bottle and get in and pump away. Again never a problem. I stop often so my cylinder does not empty.
Now I have the dreaded DOT3 so bleed every other year.
So Mart, where are you having a problem?
John

VeryTangled · 05-12-2022, 07:58 PM

Ezeibleed manufacturer video: https://youtu.be/Lz8t6ZkVSQM Skip the first 30 seconds to miss awful intro.

paul2748 · 05-12-2022, 08:12 PM

Has any one run across a bleeder cap for a dual bowl/reservoir master cylinder (disc/drum)

cas3 · 05-12-2022, 11:23 PM

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I am surprised that an expert like Mart was having trouble with such a simple thing. Glad you got it done, and you will use your new tool again, so not a waste of time. I have always been able to bleed brakes by myself. If a bare chassis, I pump up some pressure and hold the pedal down with a bungi cord. If a complete car, I cut the proper size piece of wood to wedge between the edge of the seat and the pedal. Its always worked, never need help.

Mart · 05-13-2022, 01:52 AM

No time to answer. Getting ready to set off for Pendine. Catch you guys after the weekend.

Terry,OH · 05-13-2022, 06:32 AM

I have yet to find a steel, screw on, cap for the 1940 style of master cylinder. Typically they are die cast and not suitable for modification for a pressure bleeder. I have seen a flat plate that fits over the master cylinder and is held on with straps around the master cylinder body that can do dual cylinders.

Kube · 05-13-2022, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul2748

Has any one run across a bleeder cap for a dual bowl/reservoir master cylinder (disc/drum)

These are "stock" items for both cast cylinders as well as plastic (reservoir) cylinders.
Ask a guy at Napa over the age of fifty

51 MERC-CT · 05-13-2022, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul2748

Has any one run across a bleeder cap for a dual bowl/reservoir master cylinder (disc/drum)

Depending on the master you have, you could use the cap from a dual master remote fill kit.

Or make your own.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/28411857030...MAAOSwRh9e4BXS

done4 · 05-13-2022, 11:24 AM

Safe trip Mart and good luck at Pendine!

solidaxle · 05-13-2022, 12:16 PM

I just bought one for my modern car with ABS, that has a soft peddle. It's a Motive Products pressure bleeder. Fairly well built. Trying it out this weekend.

JayChicago · 05-13-2022, 12:32 PM

I have used the little Motive Products unit for years. I like it. Lots of adaptors available for various cars/master cylinders, including our old Fords and dual reservoirs. Go to motiveproducts.com.
The basic unit is not expensive, sold by many vendors. But like so many marketers, they get you when you need to buy a different adaptor. The adaptor may cost as much as the original unit.

drolston · 05-13-2022, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayChicago

I have used the little Motive Products unit for years. I like it. Lots of adaptors available for various cars/master cylinders, including our old Fords and dual reservoirs. Go to motiveproducts.com.
The basic unit is not expensive, sold by many vendors. But like so many marketers, they get you when you need to buy a different adaptor. The adaptor may cost as much as the original unit.

Is the Motive Products 0102 CLASSIC CAR/BOAT TRAILER POWER BLEEDER with 1 3/16 master cylinder inside threaded opening the right one for the early Ford?

JayChicago · 05-13-2022, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drolston

Is the Motive Products 0102 CLASSIC CAR/BOAT TRAILER POWER BLEEDER with 1 3/16 master cylinder inside threaded opening the right one for the early Ford?

Yes

Edit: BTW, the Motive Products unit is designed to be filled with brake fluid. I never did that....too messy for a one-time job. And then the unit would get stored with fluid in it. I put the brake fluid in the master reservoir, and just used the unit to provide the air pressure. Of course this then requires checking and refilling the reservoir several times.

bobH · 05-13-2022, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cas3

I am surprised that an expert like Mart was having trouble with such a simple thing. Glad you got it done, and you will use your new tool again, so not a waste of time. I have always been able to bleed brakes by myself. If a bare chassis, I pump up some pressure and hold the pedal down with a bungi cord. If a complete car, I cut the proper size piece of wood to wedge between the edge of the seat and the pedal. Its always worked, never need help.

I'm with cas3.... never a problem. 'Course, I stack the procedure in my favor. Working on the old do-do that I do, I thoroughly go through the system, before attempting to bleed. So, I know in advance that all the lines and hoses are open, secure, and safe, and all cylinders are fresh, and have open orifices, and the master cylinder is fresh. If all is 'right', then bleeding is a non-issue. (For the record, the last four brake systems I've worked on, were all vehicles that spent decades out in a field, exposed to weather. They each needed 'everything' in the brake department. By the time I was ready to bleed, the system was all fresh, and bleeding was quick and easy.)

Terry,OH · 05-13-2022, 02:05 PM

I believe the 39-41 Ford master cylinder has 1-1/4" internal thread. The 1102 adapter is listed as 1-3/16 does the 1102 adapter tighten down and not leak or strip threads??

1948F-1Pickup · 05-13-2022, 04:04 PM

There's a few different techniques I've had to occasionally employ while doing the tried and true two-person bleeding procedure. Rubber mallet use to dislodge bubbles is one of them. The other is how the brake pedal is stroked... having to use a staccato tapping on the pedal...... that's been necessary a couple of times. (My suspicion is that it was latent air hiding out in the system)

Having bled various systems since the 70's, I'm always amazed at using speedbleeders. There's something magical about them. Never a problem.
Don't care for Earl's Solobleed design though. Those are junk.

05-12-2022, 02:45 PM	#1
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,755	bleeding brakes. What worked for me. Hello. I just had to bleed the brakes on my Sedan. I had a friend helping and tried all the usual old fashioned techniques. We pressed the pedal while the bleed nipple was open, pumped up pressure while then opening the nipple, we even used a vacuum pump to try and draw fluid through. It was an exercise in futility. Finally I stopped and took the time to make an adaptor for a pressure reservoir type system. It was a 30 year old Gunson's Eezi Bleed. It worked first time, moving enough volume of fluid at a steady enough rate to finally flush all the air out. The pedal was high up and rock solid. (I had adjusted the brakes up tight). We couldn't believe how well it worked after struggling for so long using all the other tried and tested methods. I don't have speed bleeders before anyone asks. Just thought I'd mention what worked for me. Mart.

05-12-2022, 05:41 PM	#2
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,008	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. Mart, I made an adapter for my pressure bleeder perhaps 20, maybe 25 years ago. SO very nice With all of the fresh restorations I have done, I found this is the only way to quickly and positively fill all the new lines, cylinders, etc. No fuss, no muss. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

05-12-2022, 07:24 PM	#3
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,086	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. Please explain your exercise in futility comment. I always bled my brakes with 2 people. My wife and I. Always worked fine. Then I installed speed bleeders and they work great. I push a hose on the bleeder to a collection bottle and get in and pump away. Again never a problem. I stop often so my cylinder does not empty. Now I have the dreaded DOT3 so bleed every other year. So Mart, where are you having a problem? John

05-12-2022, 07:58 PM	#4
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,387	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. Ezeibleed manufacturer video: https://youtu.be/Lz8t6ZkVSQM Skip the first 30 seconds to miss awful intro. __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?

05-12-2022, 08:12 PM	#5
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. Has any one run across a bleeder cap for a dual bowl/reservoir master cylinder (disc/drum) __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

05-12-2022, 11:23 PM	#6
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,578	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I am surprised that an expert like Mart was having trouble with such a simple thing. Glad you got it done, and you will use your new tool again, so not a waste of time. I have always been able to bleed brakes by myself. If a bare chassis, I pump up some pressure and hold the pedal down with a bungi cord. If a complete car, I cut the proper size piece of wood to wedge between the edge of the seat and the pedal. Its always worked, never need help.

05-13-2022, 01:52 AM	#7
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,755	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. No time to answer. Getting ready to set off for Pendine. Catch you guys after the weekend.

05-13-2022, 06:32 AM	#8
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. I have yet to find a steel, screw on, cap for the 1940 style of master cylinder. Typically they are die cast and not suitable for modification for a pressure bleeder. I have seen a flat plate that fits over the master cylinder and is held on with straps around the master cylinder body that can do dual cylinders.

05-13-2022, 11:24 AM	#11
done4 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Union Pier MI Posts: 392	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. Safe trip Mart and good luck at Pendine! __________________ Still smokin tires and cigars

05-13-2022, 12:16 PM	#12
solidaxle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: upstate NY Posts: 478	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. I just bought one for my modern car with ABS, that has a soft peddle. It's a Motive Products pressure bleeder. Fairly well built. Trying it out this weekend.

05-13-2022, 12:32 PM	#13
JayChicago Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 732	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. I have used the little Motive Products unit for years. I like it. Lots of adaptors available for various cars/master cylinders, including our old Fords and dual reservoirs. Go to motiveproducts.com. The basic unit is not expensive, sold by many vendors. But like so many marketers, they get you when you need to buy a different adaptor. The adaptor may cost as much as the original unit.

05-13-2022, 02:05 PM	#17
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. I believe the 39-41 Ford master cylinder has 1-1/4" internal thread. The 1102 adapter is listed as 1-3/16 does the 1102 adapter tighten down and not leak or strip threads?? Last edited by Terry,OH; 05-14-2022 at 06:28 AM.

05-13-2022, 04:04 PM	#18
1948F-1Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Socal Posts: 795	Re: bleeding brakes. What worked for me. There's a few different techniques I've had to occasionally employ while doing the tried and true two-person bleeding procedure. Rubber mallet use to dislodge bubbles is one of them. The other is how the brake pedal is stroked... having to use a staccato tapping on the pedal...... that's been necessary a couple of times. (My suspicion is that it was latent air hiding out in the system) Having bled various systems since the 70's, I'm always amazed at using speedbleeders. There's something magical about them. Never a problem. Don't care for Earl's Solobleed design though. Those are junk.