Good God In Heaven ... Please Help Me With These Brakes!!

[Gramps69Z]

Hey guys thanks for the help and please don't be shy with any additional ideas.  The Calipers are on correctly.  The Bleeders are on the bottom.  If the left one was on the right side adn visa versa - then the bleeder screws would on the top of the calipers and that would be an air issue.

The bleeders should be on the top.   If not you will have an air issue.

[melav8r]

That is correct, bleeder screws need to be on top!!

[no69x-44]

Guys ... Yeah I know ... My bad on the bleeders.  What I meant to say is the top.  I'll double check that, but I'm sure they are installed correctly. I have banging my head on this problem for so long now, that I'm getting dizzy.

[JohnZ]

If I go over to Robs, I will bring my pressure bleeding adapter.  I want to make sure his MC/rod and booster linkage is working properly first.  I will check his calipers too.  Thanks William!

Make sure his booster-to-pedal rod clevis is adjusted so it provides the necessary free play, and the booster-to-master cylinder rod is correct so it doesn't move the primary piston forward at rest, covering up the compensating port hole.

[Steve68]

With the parking brake not engaged, ignition switch in the "on" position, is the dash brake light "on" or "off"?

[no69x-44]

With the parking brake not engaged, ignition switch in the "on" position, is the dash brake light "on" or "off"?

Hmmm ... Funny you should ask.  The Brake light is "on".

[KevinW]

Hmm, that could mean the dist block has shifted internally.

[no69x-44]

Hmm, that could mean the dist block has shifted internally.

But the brake light goes off when the car is started ...   Doesn't the distribution block pretty much just pass fluid?  I didn't think there were really any moving parts in there.

[Sauron327]

There aren't. I see from your list you using the origional proportioning valve (the round one)

Pete ( member name: one bad 34) had a problem and I told him to temporarily eliminate the PV with just a brake line to eliminate PV as a problem. If the calipers operate correctly then the problem has been isolated. Now get another PV or rebuild yours.

[KevinW]

Hmm, that could mean the dist block has shifted internally.

But the brake light goes off when the car is started ...   Doesn't the distribution block pretty much just pass fluid?  I didn't think there were really any moving parts in there.

Rob, if the light goes out when started then its OK, thought you meant it was on all the time.  Actually there is 1 moving part inside.  Its a coke bottle shaped piston that is between the rear and the front brake lines.  If you hit the brake and you lose a line, the pressure difference moves the piston and grounds the light indicating brake failure. That is why there is that electrical connection thing on the side of the block   You saw your car this weekend  and verified the calipers, correct?

[Wallace]

I think your problem is the caliper installation.  The bleeder screws need to be on top, otherwise the air will be trapped.  I have and original 69 BB and the bleeders have always been on top.  Check out this web site.  http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Brake-Calipers-on-Car-Wheels

[Sauron327]

I should have been more explcit with my explanation.
                   
Dist block by John Z.:
  "The distribution block has no valving in it at all - it only activates its internal differential pressure warning switch (which lights the warning lamp in the cluster) when it senses a pressure differential between the front and rear systems."
   
     It senses a change but does not possess pressure management capabilities. Scott 

[no69x-44]

OK - Quick update. I was getting brain freeze and second guessing myself, but now after thinking about this I know the calipers are on correctly.  There really is only only one way for them to go one without force fitting something.  For the recored, the bleeders are on the top of the calipers and point torwards the rear of the car on both sides.

[no69x-44]

Oh the sun is out, the sky is blue, the birds are singing and it's such a beautiful day!  "Are my brakes working", you ask?  Why yes ... Yes the are!  Thanks for asking.  My car now stops like a car should and I have front disc brakes engaging as designed.  Life is good again!

For those intrested in the fix here ...  I had a pair of re-pro calipers on the front as a temp thing as I wanted to send my original Delco calipers put to be re-built.  In total frustration ... This morning I swapped out the new calipers and put my old originals (new pads) on the car ... Bleed the front brakes and BAMM ... I now have working front disc brakes that stop on a dime! 

Kevin - I just may be ready for that cruise over to your house!!

Thanks all for the help. It's always much appreciated.

[KevinW]

Rob, congrats!  I will be home on sunday closing the pool, stop on over!