• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Bench bleeding help

  • Thread starter Thread starter gbarber
  • Start date Start date Sep 26, 2005

gbarber

Member
Jan 26, 2004
158
0
17
delaware, ohio
Sep 26, 2005
#1
  • Sep 26, 2005
  • #1
I'm wrapping up a Granada brake swap on my '66, and I'm trying to bench bleed the master cylinder using bleeder tubes. I'm using a MC from a '70 Mustang with power front discs. I bought a new MC from NAPA. The directions say to use 3/4" to 1" strokes to bleed the MC. They say to continue the process until the piston cannot be depressed more than 1/8" and no air bubbles are visible in the fluid.
Is 1/8" accurate? I can't get anywhere close to that. Actually, the piston did become tougher to push after the first few strokes, but it is nowhere close to preventing me from pushing the piston in an inch. I have worked on this for hours. This is the second MC I have tried.
If I'm only trying to get the air out, I have done that, but if I need to get the piston to where it will only travel 1/8", I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
 
M

mustangdave

My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.
Founding Member
Feb 26, 2002
2,976
1
56
North Carolina
Sep 26, 2005
#2
  • Sep 26, 2005
  • #2
I've never heard the 1/8" thing before so I think you are o.k. It could be a misprint or maybe they mean that as you push the plunger in 1/8" you should not see any bubbles.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Sep 26, 2005
#3
  • Sep 26, 2005
  • #3
what dave said. never heard the 1/8" thing either. however you do not want to move the pistons too far as you can cause other problems. it sounds like you have done a fine job though.
 
F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"
Founding Member
Dec 6, 1999
4,818
1
69
BC Canada
Sep 26, 2005
#4
  • Sep 26, 2005
  • #4
Those instructions are bunk. Without lines on there, it'll never build up presure to prevent you from pushing in the plunger.

FWIW: I always bench-bleed with the master cyln on the car. Much easier to just use the pedle instead of some rod/dowel.
 

Edbert

Founding Member
Jul 13, 2002
3,548
32
109
Austin TX
Sep 26, 2005
#5
  • Sep 26, 2005
  • #5
70_Nitrous_Eater said:
FWIW: I always bench-bleed with the master cyln on the car. Much easier to just use the pedle instead of some rod/dowel.
Click to expand...
Ditto, just don't spill the fliud on the paint!
 

gbarber

Member
Jan 26, 2004
158
0
17
delaware, ohio
Sep 26, 2005
#6
  • Sep 26, 2005
  • #6
Great. Thanks for the help. I thought something must be wrong when I pumped the thing a couple hundred times and nothing changed.
 

2nd Mustang

Founding Member
Feb 24, 2002
2,488
0
46
Southern California
Sep 26, 2005
#7
  • Sep 26, 2005
  • #7
Okay, and now for the down and dirty method. I installed my new mc, booster, calipers, soft lines, etc., basically just connected everything up. I then tied an old towel around both fittings on the master cylinder after I loosened them up. Gave the pedal a few pumps, topped off the fluid and a couple more pumps with the pedal, making sure the reservoir didn't empty out below the level of the lines. Yes, it was somewhat messy, but not too bad. Tightened up the lines then proceeded with the normal bleeding of the four wheels. That was three years ago and haven't had to touch the brakes yet.

My engine bay is not a show item, so it really didn't do any damage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Brakes 1966 Mustang convertible 289, Auto - Disc brake conversion issues
  • DRGunn427
  • Feb 26, 2025
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Replies
1
Views
525
Classic Mustang Specific Tech Mar 13, 2025
dmzenge
D
T
Fox Convertible top issues
  • TDM389
  • Feb 15, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
238
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 15, 2026
General karthief
D
Need help for my PCM Mach1
  • Danaololo
  • Jul 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
152
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jul 30, 2025
Danaololo
D
L
1997 V6 Starting issue
  • leanzik04
  • Mar 20, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
202
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Mar 20, 2026
Noobz347
E
Finished my Fox Hydroboost Install - Tips
  • Engineer Duane
  • Apr 9, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 5, 2025
Engineer Duane
E
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?