New purchase, brake help! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Gruman · 05-30-2014, 05:50 PM

Just purchased a '69 C20 with non-working brakes. Has been sitting for 7 years, motor runs now. The reservoir is empty and when I push the brakes, the pedal stays on the floor, doesn't spring back. Previous owner said there was a hole in the brake line somewhere and he has put a screw in it to slow the leak. English was not his first language so that's all the explanation I got. Where should I even start to fix this? Fill the reservoir and see where it leaks out of?

I know almost nothing about brakes so any help here would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Gruman · 05-30-2014, 05:53 PM

Only pic i have of the engine bay, cant see the booster though..

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leftybass209 · 05-30-2014, 06:10 PM

A 7 year old brake system with no fluid in it means air which equals moisture, has been introduced to your brake system. Rust has inevitably started in the lines. You can get by with minimal fixes, but honestly, i'd just start at the master and work your way down with new stuff out to the wheel cylinders. If that is not possible due to money constraints, you can start filling with fluid and as you said, see where it leaks. It would be a messy venture, as you would at bare minimum need to replace that particular brake line. Best of luck with your search!

leftybass209 · 05-30-2014, 06:12 PM

Oh, and address that shoddy wiring on the HEI before it shorts out and fries something

Gruman · 05-30-2014, 06:16 PM

Yes, I plan on fixing a LOT of things like that on this one. Just look at how dirty everything is! Its killing me until I get it clean!

So if I went the "replace everything after master cylinder" route, is it easy to order all new brake lines? Do they come in a kit for entire replacement? Where would be the best place to look?

leftybass209 · 05-30-2014, 06:33 PM

There are a large number of vendors on here that have full brake line kits. I couldn't tell you prices off the top of my head, but I can reference GMCPauls, Classic Heartbeat, Brothers Trucks, Truck & Car Shop, LMC, Classic Parts of America, and Classic Industries that most likely all carry brake lines. Then there's OEM metal, or Stainless.

casper71 · 05-30-2014, 07:02 PM

inline tube is nice for pre bent lines, you could get stainless if you want for a reasonable price.

05-30-2014, 05:50 PM	#1
Gruman Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Garden City, Texas Posts: 74	New purchase, brake help! Just purchased a '69 C20 with non-working brakes. Has been sitting for 7 years, motor runs now. The reservoir is empty and when I push the brakes, the pedal stays on the floor, doesn't spring back. Previous owner said there was a hole in the brake line somewhere and he has put a screw in it to slow the leak. English was not his first language so that's all the explanation I got. Where should I even start to fix this? Fill the reservoir and see where it leaks out of? I know almost nothing about brakes so any help here would be appreciated. Thanks!

05-30-2014, 05:53 PM	#2
Gruman Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Garden City, Texas Posts: 74	Re: New purchase, brake help! Only pic i have of the engine bay, cant see the booster though..

05-30-2014, 06:10 PM	#3
leftybass209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 2,186	Re: New purchase, brake help! A 7 year old brake system with no fluid in it means air which equals moisture, has been introduced to your brake system. Rust has inevitably started in the lines. You can get by with minimal fixes, but honestly, i'd just start at the master and work your way down with new stuff out to the wheel cylinders. If that is not possible due to money constraints, you can start filling with fluid and as you said, see where it leaks. It would be a messy venture, as you would at bare minimum need to replace that particular brake line. Best of luck with your search!

05-30-2014, 06:12 PM	#4
leftybass209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 2,186	Re: New purchase, brake help! Oh, and address that shoddy wiring on the HEI before it shorts out and fries something

05-30-2014, 06:16 PM	#5
Gruman Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Garden City, Texas Posts: 74	Re: New purchase, brake help! Yes, I plan on fixing a LOT of things like that on this one. Just look at how dirty everything is! Its killing me until I get it clean! So if I went the "replace everything after master cylinder" route, is it easy to order all new brake lines? Do they come in a kit for entire replacement? Where would be the best place to look?

05-30-2014, 06:33 PM	#6
leftybass209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 2,186	Re: New purchase, brake help! There are a large number of vendors on here that have full brake line kits. I couldn't tell you prices off the top of my head, but I can reference GMCPauls, Classic Heartbeat, Brothers Trucks, Truck & Car Shop, LMC, Classic Parts of America, and Classic Industries that most likely all carry brake lines. Then there's OEM metal, or Stainless.

05-30-2014, 07:02 PM	#7
casper71 Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Putnam, CT Posts: 86	Re: New purchase, brake help! inline tube is nice for pre bent lines, you could get stainless if you want for a reasonable price.



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