Braking Issue 1966 L79 Corvette
I just purchased a beautiful original (real McCoy) 1966 Corvette L79 Coupe optioned with J50 Power Brakes. It's been 43 years since I last tinkered with a Vette, so I need some skilled advice. My problem is when breaking, the brake pedal travels nearly to the floor and feels spongy. I checked the brake fluid in both reservoirs in the master cylinder and both were filled approximately 1/8 from the top. Could this braking predicament be caused by air in the brake lines or could this trouble imply I need new pads and/or rotors. I realize this question can be difficult to answer without physically driving the vehicle, but I'm confident someone on this technical discussion board who knows their corvettes can give me their professional expertise on what they believe could cause this braking problem.
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Re: Braking Issue 1966 L79 Corvette
Eugene,
Sooner or later all C-2 experience this problem. My vote is air in the calipers. Try bleeding them and see how long that lasts. Might need the aid of SS sleeves but try bleeding first. Who knows! Gotta get the air out first. It could be the MC only but I doubt it!
JR -
Re: Braking Issue 1966 L79 Corvette
Thank you Joe.....I think your 100% on bleeding the lines first; your help was appreciated!!
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Re: Braking Issue 1966 L79 Corvette
Eugene-----
The problem is that getting all of the air out can be devilishly difficult. As I've said many times before, there's no job on a C2 or C3 Corvette that I fear more than bleeding the brakes. It absolutely strikes terror in me.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Braking Issue 1966 L79 Corvette
Eugene,
Remember when your bleeding, the rears have two bleeders on each caliper. Just a reminder. A lot of people just bleed one and think they are done. Take your time and let gravity do the job for you. Just keep the MC full and it's a piece of cake!
Keep us posted as to your progress.
JRComment
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Re: Braking Issue 1966 L79 Corvette
I agree with joe on this I like the gravity way, if you do need to pump it to get it through all lines first use the old pickle jar about half full of fluid then have a clear hose tightly fitted on the zerk your working on and the other end of the clear hose submerged in the pickle jar fluid and you wont have to wory about sucking any air back into the system, you may laugh but it works.JRComment
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Re: Braking Issue 1966 L79 Corvette
Agree also with Joy Ray on using gravity bleeding, just be patient. Just recently I rebuilt both front calipers on my 68. Used only gravity bleeding on each caliper after installing. Worked great.
Since you just bought your 1966 I would guess that your rear disc rotors are no longer riveted to the spindle. What this can cause is excessive rotor run out. When rotor does not run true the caliper pistons move in and out and the calipers will suck air and loose hydralic brake fluid pressure to the rear calipers and brake pedal resistance to applying pressure is lost.
Bleeding the rear calipers will remove the air and you will have good brakes again. How long good braking will last will depend on rotor runout and how much you drive. With loss of rear braking due to air in the calipers you should still have some front wheel braking.
If you do not have rivets retaining your rotors and have rotor runout, this can be fixed. One way is to send the rear spindles and rotors to www.bairs.com and have them riveted and trued. I did this 25 years ago and it solved my brake problem.Comment
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Re: Braking Issue 1966 L79 Corvette
Just to clarify, the presence of rivets or the act of having them riveted does not cure runout on the rotors.Comment
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Re: Braking Issue 1966 L79 Corvette
Thank you ALL very much for your help, I have a much better perspective on how to deal with this low brake pedal problem. I will give it a try this Saturday and will follow all your recommendations. Thanks again "guys" for ALL your advice and assistance, it was sincerely appreciated and you too Joy...AKA.......JOE......LOL!!
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Re: Braking Issue 1966 L79 Corvette
To everyone who gave me advice on how to tackle this breaking issue, I want to say I'm thankful for all your help. My friend Bob Maratta and I worked on bleeding the (power) brakes today and everything turned out just fine. Again, thank you all for all your advice, it was sincerely appreciated.
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