Technical SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T SEE THE PROBLEM & HAVE TO ASK FOR HELP

Brake problems are so common that we need a sub-forum just for brakes

 

I’ll bet the doctor was a pilot and flew a Vee tail Bonanza. You don’t need to worry about walking into his office… He didn't make it.

 

Fortunately, as members of the Hamb we have each other to bounce ideas and ask questions which makes even the hardest challenges easier. HRP

 

I have 2 stories that were told to me so I have no personal confirmations.
Bleeding brakes can be frustrating, especially a one-man operation with little equipment or experience. The 'story' is that some will resort to pumping the brake pedal repeatedly attempting to push an air bubble to the reservoir faster than it can back up to the "high spot". The other 'story' is about the guy that knows that he isn't able to do a proper bleed so he resorts to sucking the old, contaminated brake fluid out of the reservoir with a turkey baster - topping it up with fresh - cycling more old stuff into the reservoir with the pedal - sucking - topping- and so on.
As I recall, they were variously called a "hillbilly brake bleed", or maybe a "redneck brake bleed" or something like that.
My guess is both are likely true enough to be an actual thing.

 

You ever see the WeatherTech commercial where the guys propel out of the helicopter, install a bunch of floor mats and stuff, ascend back up to the helicopter and they're gone?

Danny and his buds are kinda like that.
................. kinda.

 

I've shattered rotors on a couple cars I had just bought and at that point the calipers might as well be upside down.

 

Ben

 

I had a similar problem figured out yesterday with a Mopar big block electronic distributor. I had been chasing an off idle sag and general lack of performance for months. Changed carbs, changed distributor springs, monkeyed around with the timing, but nothing worked. I had the distributor out last night thinking about changing the springs *again*, when I noticed that the reluctor was clocked for a small block installation. Doh!

A second set of eyes would've probably noticed that a long time ago. Now I get to start over but at least one problem is fixed.

 

Had a "kid" that worked at the dealership, good guy but with limited experience. He bought an OT muscle car (late 60's big block Torino) off the lot that had been traded in during the first gas shortage. Took it home and proceeded to do his first restoration with his dad. Several months later he had been driving the car to work for a week or so and the car looked great but he walked around with a big frown because the car overheated if he drove it very long. Kept asking everyone that would listen what they thought it could be, keep in mind this was August in So Cal so it was close to 100 degrees. One of the other guys and I walked out to his car at lunch time to see what we could see, he opened the hood and this engine compartment looked outstanding! everything painted perfectly, decals in exactly the right places, really nice and clean. He started it and fired off in about one revolution of the crank and idled and sounded great! As we stood there talking and asking questions the engine was idling, yeah, new radiator, flushed block, new freeze plugs, new water pump..... all of a sudden the clutch fan engaged and started BLOWING air through the radiator on our legs. Fan was on backwards, it even had the word "front" stamped into it.

 

On backwards??? Reverse pitch??

Ben

 

Always makes you feel good when you can come to the rescue.

Yup, I have my moments.
But then I have other moments... LOL
... and I'm the one who needs help with the obvious.

I had done a complete tune-up on the 235 Chevy. All new parts. But it was running rich. So I rebuilt and reinstalled the carburetor. Still running like shit. Couldn't figure it out. Getting frustrated.
@##/&?$×%@&sob!!!
My wife came out.
"How's it going, RB?"
Me: "I can't figure this thing out."
I honestly don't know where this came from, but she said...
"Did you change the spark plugs?"
Silly girl...
Me: "Yes, yes, of course."
Sweet silly girl
Her: "Okay, well good luck."
I was left standing there with her words ringing in my ears. Oh what the heck. Nothing to lose. Pulled a spark plug. Oh boy... black and fuzzy as could be.
I replaced them all and of course, it ran great.
Sweet genius woman.

 

Well, I can share. 40 years or so ago my friend couldn’t start his car. Nothing, no click/etc. all electrical worked.
As we were talking about it I said “well, maybe the neutral starting switch went to hell”. He popped up off the chair ran out and his Chevelle fired to life.
Seems he came in the night before a bit buzzed and shut the car off in drive.

 

Like it says, on backwards. The word front on the fan was facing the rear of the car, he changed out the fan and went with a flex fan (without clutch) and the new fan sucked air through the radiator as it should. Cured his overheat problem is all I know. Long time ago as well!

 

I was at the local gas station and my youngest brother pulled in with his 67 Camaro. Clack clack clack clack clack clack!...
He jumped out of the car, ran over to me and exclaimed, "I've got a rod knock!" I said, "I'm not so sure about that, let's take a look." No rod knock. Just a header leak. Whew.

My buddy and I were cruising in my basically stock 52 chevy. All of a sudden, clack clack clack clack clack! I said to my buddy, "I've got a rod knock!" He said, "I'm not so sure about that, let's take a look." No rod knock. Just a frayed and flapping fan belt. Whew.

 

I was having issues with my hydraulic clutch... wouldn't release consistently... I bled it but it wouldn't stay in adjustment. My son looked at the slave cylinder and asked if the bleeder should be on top? Well... yeah... it should be... Hmmm. I flipped it and haven't had an issue since. Man I'm glad that kid pays attention!

 

I am currently having a problem that is driving me crazy. Where are those guys to tell me some simple solution? Right now I wouldn't mind looking like an idiot.

 

Start a thread. Title it "My Chance To Look Like An Idiot".
Nobody will be able to resist.
We'll all want to see.
And it'll give us a chance to look like idiots too, with our dumb answers.
Between us, we'll screw it up perfectly... in no time.

 

I had the same problem with a 56 T-Bird that I purchased. Everything seemed OK and took it out for a test drive. Coming down hill to my home the brakes seemed to give up. Honestly I prayed a little. Same issue one of the calipers was not mounted correctly and a couple of the pads fell out. All is well now but it was a big scare Tom

 

There are manufactures that can't remember that brake fluid is heavier than air most seem to be hydraulic clutch systems

 

The hardest guy to help,is the one who is 100% sure he knows. Will even tell,you! "That's BS,I been driving for years with the same thing,was fine!"
Can't see or feel a thing he dose not know how to see or feel.
The best is,if he will learn when given the right info.