On my 1926 model t it has drum brakes on a drop axle. The drum brakes are ford 40s version. I replaced the wheel cylinders and rubber brake lines. The new wheel cylinder leaked at the rubber line bolting to the wheel cylinder. I got another wheel cylinder same leak. Got a third and put on two copper brake washer and still leaked. So I took off the two copper washers and put a thin washer and now it just barely leaks. The only constant is the rubber brake hose. Can the thread on the brake hose be bad? And what do you think if I took off the thin washer and bolted straight to the wheel cylinder. I thought I would ask questions first instead of tearing up stuff. This is the only wheel giving me grief. Thanks Jerryt
check seat in the wheel cylinder where the hose goes in,make sure its the same as the old one-some are made for a hose to seal,some are made for a flared hard line to seat-could be a mix up anywhere down the supply chain
First, we need pictures if you want the HAMB to solve your problem, second, put where you live in your avatar as there may be someone close that can help.
Check the wheel cylinder port and the hose end. Rear cylinders are made with a double flare seat because a hard line is used. The front cylinder uses a tapered seat to mate with the tapered fitting on the end of the hose. The hose also has a flat shoulder at the Bae of the threads and at the hex where the end is crimped on the hose. That flat area is where the copper washer rides. The copper washer is a backup to the tapered seat on the hose and wheel cylinder. Both most be in good condition. Front and rear wheel cylinders will interchange and bolt in either position. Both are stepped with the smaller end facing backwards. The real difference is that the front cylinders have a larger forward facing piston. It's been a few years since I did any Lockheed brakes, but I believe the bigger front cylinder on the front wheel cylinder are 1 3/8 and the front cylinder on the rear are 1 1/4. I would have to dig out my Ford green book to verify. It does sound like you have a mismatch between hose and cylinder. If the hose end is scarred by the mismatch, don't use it. Buy another hose! Good luck !
I would suspect bad wheel cylinders from China. I had leaking problems with my Lockheed brakes on my roadster. Problem was solved when I went with Bendix brakes and cylinders from the USA. Could be a mismatch between bad metric threads trying to mate with bad SAE threads.
Off the wall, but I'd take a close look at the copper washers. In order to seal, they've got to be soft so they can conform. I know copper work hardens, so maybe they were not annealed after die punching. I don't remember the proper heat and cool cycle for copper (hopefully someone will jump in with the info), but I know copper can heated enough with a propane torch. I suspect a lot of builds have suffered from too-hard copper 'crush' washers. Good luck...
Ok I have checked for a leak at the hydraulic hose to the wheel cylinder. No more leak I think the fluid I found was leftover. I also tightened the copper crush washer another quarter turn. Basically I messed up. Thanks Jerryt