...tell me all this damn frustration and friggin' roller-coaster of emotions is f-in' worth it! I have been on such a high, since we fired this thing up, it hurts. Damn man, all I wanna do is drive this sumbitch, and only have hours worth the details to wrap up, and hell. Two steps forward, six steps back. Went to bleed the brakes, few little leaks at fittings, rear brakes bled great. Damn FRONTS are dumping fluid on the ground, faster that I can put it in. Brand new front wheel cylinders are puking like there is no tomorrow. DAMNITT........ Disassembled them, reassembled, and still dumping out the front. Anyway, frustration made me call it a night. This shit is worth it - RIGHT? Also, if anyone has some hints and tips on using Bear Claw door latches/regulators and still have room for the window/window track, drop me a note on that subject, as well. At least it LOOKS like it's drivable. Thanks.............
Sounds to me like the new front wheel cylinders are bad, take the POS back. Also check the line size going into the cylinder. Project looks pretty sweet. When I get to the point of throwing wrenches and tool boxes...I stop ..crack open a cold one and call it a night.
Looks like your coming along really well, don't give up just yet. Take one problem at a time and nip it in the butt before you move onto your next problem. Here is a tech on the latches: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126965 https://host258.ipowerweb.com/~rock....41355*Gc8PY8&xm=on&product=Bear_Claw_Latches
C'mon, Ken......Do you really want to toss in the towel and be trapped for the rest of your life in a "car" that you hate? One of the biggest reasons "we" do this is that we're damn tired of what's being offered by Detroit these days. Cars that you can't see the engine, let alone actually work on along the side of the road, if needed, without a trailer full of computerized diagnostic equipment. Cars that have no character, and very little "heart"? I suggest you step back for a day, take a breather, and go back at it Tuesday. (Just my opinion, though.) In the end, it'll be well worth it. Roger
Ken, make sure that the flex hose to the cylinders is the correct type. If the line doesn't seat properly, (fitting too short), then it'll squirt all over the place. I was in the same boat you're in right now. I was ready to take her out on the road, and discovered brake problems. I spent three hot days, (100 degree temps), trying to figure it out...I was ready to sell it. I took a few days away from it and went back to it, and found the problem in fifteen minutes...Bad combo valve. Take a break before YOU blow a head gasket.
I know how it is man, I had the brakes troubles myself. The simplist shit pisses you off more than anything. I took a day off, went back at it after getting a few tips and we are all set for brakes now. Keep at it man, that rig you have there is killer, would kill to have ANY car from the era. I'm still stuck in the 70's, but I am working my way back.
Can you tell where the fluid is coming from specifically? The brake hose (as previously mentioned), the bleeders, or inside the drum area? I have seen a couple of wheel cylinders that for whatever reason the bleeders wouldn't seat and the fluid was coming out around them (instead of coming out the end). I have also seen a wheel cylinder that leaked from the casting (porous). The hose question could be a short fitting as already mentioned, I also am unsure as I haven't worked with those cylinders specifically, but are those supposed to have the brass flare seats in them? I have seen ones that were supposed to have them show up without them (and they won't seal without them if they are supposed to have them). If you already resealed them, they shouldn't be coming past the seals, are they 'new' or sleeved maybe? If not have you checked the clearance between the piston and the bore (no scuffing or scoring either?)? I wish you the best of luck. And to answer your question of is it worth it? YES!
Hang in there..It will be worth it soon...kinda like having a baby..not that I know..it just came to mind
Everyone has troubles and gets frustrated at times. Just don't give up and try to get things going one at a time. I agree with social pete, you might want to take those wheel cylinders back. I hope you have some sort of warrenty
Hope you can handle it when you do get it on the road and have a few breakdowns before all the bugs are worked out. Don't worry, it's worth the headaches. If this was easy everyone would be doing it. The rewards are for those who earn it.
If it was easy everyone would do it! (kewi types faster than I do!) Ya just have to hang in there and keep after it. If it gets too bad take a break and do something else for a day or two. A bike ride or a little fishing can do wonders. As for the bear claws, in my 33 pu I'm putting mine in the pillars, and putting the striker on the door. They will trip electrically, with a cable for back up.
Are the cups in the wheel cyl's blowing out ? Or are they just leaking . The drums may be so warn they are letting the cups come out to far.
Don't forget the copper washers! And DON'T give up...good advice here...take a day off and go back tomorrow.
Just dont take any shortcuts. Keep it safe. Your have plenty of time to enjoy it when its right. Accept each set back as another challange. When your done you'll be that much more proud of your accomplishment.
The outside of the backing plates are fine. The fluid is coming out of the seals in the front bore. These w/c have 2 different bores. I pulled the seals, cleaned everything, reassembled, and it is still leaking around the seal. past the cylinder, and running down the inside of the backing plate, and out the bottom of the drum. Got 'em from Thompsons Garage, and have a call into them, currently. Rusty, let me see what I get outta Thompson, before i snag yours. Thanks guys, and I did call it an early night, and settled in with a big ice-cold glass of milk, and some HOT Tollhouse cookies that the spousal unit whipped up. I'll get through it. Thanks.
I am glad I aint the only one that settles for some cold milk and cookies after a long day working on the hotrods. Let me know Ken Rusty
Well man, you know how hot is was this weekend, and after hittin' the shower, it was a welcome change.
When I hit the point of total frustration I take a day or two off. That not only calms me down and helps me think about what I am doing but I usually find some other things I am overlooking. I tend to get in a hurry when I hear run.
I know another white bearded fellow that comes around once a year for milk and cookies...and Ken has been known to play the part of said individual very well in the past...hmmmm. Starting to see a pattern here. Can't say that I'd be surprised. We all know Santa's got a fast sled so we know he's a hotrodder.
Too damn funny, Frank. That analogy never crossed my mind. Thanks, I'll just consider it 'training'. I have two new wheel cylinders coming, shipping them tonight. So, we're gonna do other crap tonight, and repace those when they get here.
Are they leaking right away or just when you start pumping the brakes to bleed 'em??? If the second, are your drums new? I've had new wheel cyls leak 'cause the drums were out of spec and when pumped, the cylinders had to travel past their limit....... Oh, and when ya get frustrated, crack a fresh, cold beer and sit on that stool ya got by the door, crank the tunes...........and just relax man........... It's ALL worth it in the end.......
Josh, they were leaking before the shoes even got close to the drums. Thompsons Garage is sending me new ones, admitting they got a bad batch, and had a bunch of folks calling. So, Wednesday night we should know more. Thanks all.
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