A little progress on the track roadster pickup...

[Charlie Chops 1940]

I finally got fired up the last few days and decided to get the clutch and brakes bled. This car has a Kugel under-dash hanging pedal system with a Corvette master cylinder and a hydraulic clutch. Brakes are mid size GM fronts on all four corners. I have had pretty good results with four wheels discs and dual master cylinders in the past with direct lines and no combination valve on cars with near 50/50 weight distribution.

I made a firewall bulkhead fitting out of a piece of brass sheet with three brass unions silversoldered in 3 hex-shaped holes (filed - the old fashioned way...) to get the lines to the engine side. That was about the only thing that didn't leak - LOL. I bled the fronts first by using an adjustable hood prop between the seat base and the pedal to hold the pedal so I could crack the bleeder, and fix leaks without help. That went prtty well. The rears were only slightly better in that there were only 2 leaks - both sides of a union at the rear. The calipers all seemed to hold well and retract properly.

Well, we all know the drill...walk away and return a few hours later and see if they are still bled and leak-free. I'll let ya know later tonight.

Charlie

[phat46]

I finally got fired up the last few days and decided to get the clutch and brakes bled. This car has a Kugel under-dash hanging pedal system with a Corvette master cylinder and a hydraulic clutch. Brakes are mid size GM fronts on all four corners. I have had pretty good results with four wheels discs and dual master cylinders in the past with direct lines and no combination valve on cars with near 50/50 weight distribution.

I made a firewall bulkhead fitting out of a piece of brass sheet with three brass unions silversoldered in 3 hex-shaped holes (filed - the old fashioned way...) to get the lines to the engine side. That was about the only thing that didn't leak - LOL. I bled the fronts first by using an adjustable hood prop between the seat base and the pedal to hold the pedal so I could crack the bleeder, and fix leaks without help. That went prtty well. The rears were only slightly better in that there were only 2 leaks - both sides of a union at the rear. The calipers all seemed to hold well and retract properly.

Well, we all know the drill...walk away and return a few hours later and see if they are still bled and leak-free. I'll let ya know later tonight.

Charlie

Sounds like fun Charlie, I'm curious though, why you're not using a one man bleeder? Be careful though if you keep this up you're gonna finish  the trackster, then what are ya gonna do?  I gotta get motivated too and go work on my project.....maybe when i retire huh?      

[donsrods]

Charlie:  Any pictures of the car?? Love to see them.


Don

[Charlie Chops 1940]

Don,

Here's a shot of it.

[Charlie Chops 1940]

Sounds like fun Charlie, I'm curious though, why you're not using a one man bleeder? Be careful though if you keep this up you're gonna finish  the trackster, then what are ya gonna do?  I gotta get motivated too and go work on my project.....maybe when i retire huh?      

I've got a pressure bleeder but it looked about impossible to use in this application...up under the dash and all. I tried one of the vacuum pumps once and found it to be lacking. At the end of the day the old methods and a dose of patience works about as good as anything else.

Charlie

[1FATGMC]

Don,

Here's a shot of it.

Hey that is neat.  I expect to see you drive up in front of the store this August in it and now excuses.  Look at all the room in the back for baggage .

c ya, Sum

[av8]

How cool is that?!  I'm looking forward to seeing it up close and personal. A Bonneville  trip would be a great opportunity to break it in.  

Mike

[purplepickup]

You're gonna have tons of fun in that one Charlie.  It sure is purty.

[40]

I agree with George.....Looks like a blast!

[Charlie Chops 1940]

Thanks for the compliments guys.  

The brake pedal was down just a little when I checked tonight, so I'll bleed the system again tomorrow. I did manage to get oil and coolant in it the engine though. Also cleaned some of the "hanger" grime off the chrome and other places undernearh. About ready to put the belly pan pieces on.

Have about a dozen items on the to-do list before its readyto fire up.

As for Bonneville Sum, it's a little iffy right now. Although I had planned to drive the '40 out along with Ken (OBT) from Louisville that may not happen.  Sharon had back surgery 6 years ago and is having problems again. Had a couple MRI's and regular x-rays today but we won't know the prognosis until sometime next week. If she has to go under the knife again I will be her caretaker during that period. Might make Louisville but the salt will be out of the question.

Life sometimes gets in the way of life.

Charlie

[1FATGMC]

Thanks for the compliments guys.  

The brake pedal was down just a little when I checked tonight, so I'll bleed the system again tomorrow. I did manage to get oil and coolant in it the engine though. Also cleaned some of the "hanger" grime off the chrome and other places undernearh. About ready to put the belly pan pieces on.

Have about a dozen items on the to-do list before its readyto fire up.

As for Bonneville Sum, it's a little iffy right now. Although I had planned to drive the '40 out along with Ken (OBT) from Louisville that may not happen.  Sharon had back surgery 6 years ago and is having problems again. Had a couple MRI's and regular x-rays today but we won't know the prognosis until sometime next week. If she has to go under the knife again I will be her caretaker during that period. Might make Louisville but the salt will be out of the question.

Life sometimes gets in the way of life.

Charlie

Well I can certainly understand that.  I'm trying to help Julie get past a difficult time for her right now so you stay there if need be and take care of Sharon.  Tell her hi and hope she has some good options.

c ya, Sum

[donsrods]

That IS nice, and really unique, too. Never thought of doing that to a track T, but it works.


Don

[Roadstar]

* I like that little car. It's time to drive it man.

[jaybee]

That is sweet!  What's under the hood?

[slocrow]

Looking good Charlie. Won't be long till the dirt will be flying. ...Frank