Re: brake problem
 

Actually, I haven't been sitting still; just been doing other things [Ford V8 flattie related] for other people. Having a break [brake lol] from this little dilemma. I have had quite a few fellows tell me my master cylinder is the offending item; this I doubt, however, I am going to remove a mates master cylinder from under his 39 Mercury [a known good cylinder], and swap into my car. Process of elimination....

Re: brake problem
 

Maybe try it without the hose and remote reservoir hooked up.

Re: brake problem
 

Today noticed wet spots bottom of both front backing plates. So front cylinders are leaking. Chinese rubbish bought from Summit. I have a wanted advert in the swap meet section. If anyone can suggest where to get decent front cylinders, I'll appreciate it.

Re: brake problem
 

Before shipping across the ocean take a look at what you have...usually when leaking nowdays is when honing is either out of size or to coarse.
If it´s to coarse you can fix that put in a new set of cups and be on the road.

Re: brake problem
 

DOT 3 or DOT 5?....

Re: brake problem
 

If you cannot get good replacements any time soon. see if you can get replacement seals.
And if the bleed was not quite at the top, would it be possible to fill the offending air gap with epoxy?

Re: brake problem
 

Update; I bought locally some new 1 1/8 cups. replaced the cups in the front wheel cylinders with them. The new cups measure approx .025" bigger than the Chinese things. I think the problem is now resolved...raining here [lovely winters day], so have not road tested.
I wish to thank everyone who contributed with ideas, that's what makes this forum so great! A wealth of knowledge.

Re: brake problem
 

Fingers crossed thats it Brian! ;)

Re: brake problem
 

Where did you get your replacement cups? Napa no longer carries just the rebuild kits for some reason and yes the repops seem to be smaller in comparison.

Re: brake problem
 

At one time you could purchase just the cups by diameter. Ebay seems to have them as well as some brake specialty suppliers. https://americanbrakecorp.com/wheel_...bber_cups.html

Re: brake problem
 

Thank you, this helps a lot.

Re: brake problem
 

I'm in New Zealand, so unable to assist you in advising where to purchase rebuild parts. Let me tell you this...sign of the times...I too had trouble sourcing these components which were so readily available in years past. Everything today seems to just be catering for the throwaway society...people no longer rebuilt stuff, merely replace their worn out 'old' stuff with the latest and greatest new version.
My latest 'issue' with this job is the brake linings the franchised brake specialist bonded onto the shoes I supplied. Some sort of black lining, very dusty, and the dust sort of smears over the lining as a crusty glaze. I've sent them back and they can put something decent on...
When the 35 still had mechanical brakes, I got the local garage [who have a brake dept], to bond some new linings onto my shoes. Same bloody stuff!! and I had no brakes!! Absolutely no braking effect, lots of pedal, but no retardation. And, it heated the drums so much that the powder coating on my wheels melted.
I ended up supplying old style woven asbestos linings and they re-did the job. [charged me again too, the mongrels!!]
Just so hard to source quality parts anymore....

Re: brake problem
 

How long ago was that Brian, thought they were really against asbestos, in Australia at least, from the import stories posted on here?

Re: brake problem
 

There are plenty of good friction material available...just have to ask the right questions buying it and not from a modern brakeshop...
It´s become real difficult to find a modern material for rivetting though.
For bonded material look for industrial...elevators still use drum brakes.
High friction is what we want...longevity is secondary.

Re: brake problem
 

Bonded is normally bad, although i had bonded stuff that was like cardboard. It had heaps of grip & made for amazing brakes. Last 10 months and it was worn out.
I then went to the truck shop & asked for woven lining.

TL:DR Truck shop woven lining comes at a price but is.. worth it?

Re: brake problem
 

JSeery, Yes, the Aussies are really down on asbestos. Here in NZ we can still import a car without every component being stripped down to check for the dreaded asbestos, unlike our cousins across the ditch.

Re: brake problem
 

That's good. I would not be happy with someone else dismantling my vehicle!

Re: brake problem
 

Yes its happened to one of our Ford Barn members and a friend who just lives around the corner from me. I'll let him tell the story , but to add insult to injury he also received a fine, let me tell you it wasn't small..

Re: brake problem
 

Yes that was me , i imported a 34 5w from south africa , i had asked the elderly gentleman 80 year old who i bought it of to remove the brake shoes of the car and remove clutch plate , Which he did , but he put them in a cardboard box and left them in the car as he thought i would need them again, any way when the car cam into Fremantle Australia , border force went thru it , they wanted a independant asbestos company to check for asbestos , to cut a long story short , it took 4 weeks of fucking around with asbestos companys and border force , i was charged for asbestos inspection fees , removal fees , recheck fees ,storage fees from container company , storage fees from border force , and then a fine from border force for importing a car into australia with asbestos, total was $12000 aussie $$,i went to my local member for parliment , and they said we cant go against another gov department and told me to pay the fine , fuck the government and there asbestos crap

Re: brake problem
 

I feel for you Phil...Aust $12,000 !! did they find the asbestos in the head gaskets? What a dangerous car you imported!!
It's way over the top isn't it?
I enquired to our NZ Customs if I could import asbestos brake linings- NO WAY!!
About three years ago I purchased a NOS cluster on eBay off an American seller. I got him to send it to an American forwarding outlet that works in with NZ Post. They refused to send it to me because it had Cosmoline on it. I had to supply MHSD information, lots of toing and froing, said they'd destroy it at no charge to me, alternatively return it to the vendor at half the price it would have cost to send to NZ. I got them to send it back to him, told him to keep it. Unfortunately, this is all for our personal safety you understand?