C2 Brake Bleeding

[John Lokay]

I just ordered a rebuilt front right brake caliper from Bairs for my 66' which I hope to install this weekend. Now, after I have installed the new unit and begin the manual brake bleeding process (the system uses silicone brake fluid) will I get much, if any, of a brake pedal at the beginning of the bleeding process? I assume that at first, I will have to pump the pedal numerous times to get any pedal pressure? Any advice on the brake bleeding?

[Rob A.]

Re: C2 Brake Bleeding

John,

I realize you said you're going to manually bleed, but if you put a one-way bleeder valve in the new caliper and use a vacuum bleeder(both available at Pep Boys, Autozone, etc.) you'll be done quickly. The bottle for the fluid on the bleeder holds less than the master cylinder, so you won't have to worry about running it dry if you pour the bottle back into the master cylinder each time it fills up. You may think you have to bleed the entire system, but when I opened my
front, right brake line to air, I only had to bleed the new caliper to get a firm pedal. I just did this last week, so feel free to email me if you run into any problems

[Wayne K.]

Re: C2 Brake Bleeding

John,

Rob has given you good advice. You could also just gravity bleed that caliper.
After it is installed make sure the master is full and open the bleeder and wait until the fluid runs out. You might want to tap the caliper to help work out any air while in the process of bleeding. Once you have clear fluid with no air coming out close the bleeder and you should be good. Make sure you put the cover on the master before you try the brake and check to make sure it doesn't run dry while bleeding. Use clear tubing on the bleeder to a collection jar to catch the fluid.

Wayne

[Larry S.]

[Bill Richards]

Re: C2 Brake Bleeding

The only silly question is the one not asked. So, what type of brake fluid is correct for a 66, dot 3, dot 4, or dot 5? The manual says something about 11.
Thanks,
Willie

[mike cobine]

Re: C2 Brake Bleeding

If you mix the 3, 4, and 5 together, you will get 12, not 11. So use some 3, then 4, and some 4 again.

DOT 3 is what you need, many like to use DOT 4 for better performance, and many like DOT for better maintenance. However, if you use 5, you have to wash all the 3 or 4 out with alcohol or you might have problems.

Yu need to know what is in there before adding any.

[Dave McDufford]

Re: C2 Brake Bleeding

I would never pour brake fluid from bleeding back into the master cylinder. I think there is too much of a chance of picking up contaminants.

Dave

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 Brake Bleeding

John make sure the caliper was rebuilt using silicone fluid. Bairs usually rebuilds with Dot 3 or 4. Unless you let them know. Mike

[Bill Richards]

Re: C2 Brake Bleeding

Thanks Mike,
If it looks like 3, smells like 3, and feels like 3, It must be 3 in there now.
I googled supreme # 11 and it comes up dot 3. Besides, I dont think they had dot 5 in 1966, but I could be wrong.

[Randy S.]

Re: C2 Brake Bleeding

The Motive Power pressure bleeder only works for 67 and up. No adapter for 66 (4" round master cylinder for manual brakes).

Randy

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 Brake Bleeding

Randy, They did sell the adapter for the round cylinder. This was a couple years ago. I used it on my 65.
Mike

[Larry S.]

Re: C2 Brake Bleeding

They do have an adapter you can use for any round single master,it straps on with a chain.

But I made an easey adapter for 67+ masters just by installing a fitting in an old master cap and connecting the hose to it.If your creative there is always a way to connect this tool to a master