Cuda Brake and High Blood Pressure

[Ca70Cuda]

I have tried bleeding the brakes 3 times this afternoon and have only managed to increase my blood pressure. I did start by blowing air through both brake lines to make sure there was no blockage (There was no Blockage). I have also manually adjusted the brakes so that the brakes are just barely touching the drums for all 4 wheels.   

Here is what I have:

1970 Cuda
11 Inch drums (Front and Back)
No Power Brakes
New Brake Cylinders
New Brakes
All New Rebuild Hardware (Springs, Self Adjusters ECT)
New Master Cylinder
Have a bleeder cup and hose that I attach to each brake fitting. The hose goes almost to the bottom of the cup. This cup is always filled with enough brake fluid so that air never gets back up into the line.

Here is what I have done:

Bench Bled the Master Cylinder to ensure no air bubbles
Started with the Right Rear Brake, Never let the Master Cylinder go dry - Pump until no bubbles and tighten fitting. Brake pedal starting to feel tight
Moved on to the left Rear Brake, Never let the Master Cylinder go dry - Pump until no bubbles and tightened fitting. Brake pedal starting to feel even better
Moved on to the Right Front Brake, Never let the Master Cylinder go dry - Pump until no bubbles and tightened fitting. Brake pedal feels like absolutely no pressure. 
Moved on to the Left Front Brake, Never let the Master Cylinder go dry - Pump until no bubbles and tightened fitting. Brake pedal still feels like absolutely no pressure. 

Re bled master cylinder

Repeated all of the above twice with same results. 

I read somewhere that you should never press the brake pedal down more than half way. Is this true? I did not obey that rule and pumped my brake pedal like a Sasquatch on crack. I also read that maybe the valve is not centered. What is that all about? Are they talking about the valve in the master cylinder? How do I get it re-centered?

Please assist with the proper procedure for bleeding brakes on a Cuda without  power brakes or disk brakes (All 11 inch Drums)

Thank you. I am now going to take a shower then eat 12 tacos to try and forget the shame felt today after I failed at the bleeding the brakes.   

 

[Haddixj]

possibly a bad master since it is new. Can you try having someone else pump the brakes and hold it while you crack the bleeder?
I would try taking the master off and bench bleeding it and make sure it has enough pressure. try to hold your finger over the fitting port and pump it to see if it will still come out while your pumping it. Maybe its leaking internally and not building enough pressure.

[Haddixj]

oh and you can try gravity bleeding them for several hours also,

[acudadude]

Try Drip bleeding start at dr frt open bleeder and close all others let it drip till no bubbles;close move to pass frt do same,move to dr rear do same; final pass rear then check pedal ...2 cents

['Cuda Hunter]

Try Drip bleeding start at dr frt open bleeder and close all others let it drip till no bubbles;close move to pass frt do same,move to dr rear do same; final pass rear then check pedal ...2 cents

 

[dutch]

I agree on the gravity bleeding. Usually works like a charm. 
wont be the first bad new master on the planet.....

[Ca70Cuda]

Thank you for all of the suggestions! 

[moparmaniac59]

You can always go the Harbor Freight or Northern Tools and buy a cheap brake bleeder kit. It's a hand help vacuum pump and you can buy one for probably less than 20 bucks. I'll tell you this, for doing it yourself it is worth a million bucks. They usually come in a nice little kit with various adapters/hoses; just hook it up to the bleeder plug, open the plug and start pumping. It will pull any air out and usually works better than pumping the brake pedal alone. Just a thought, but a great tool to have & not expensive at all. 


                                                                               Matt B.

[Ca70Cuda]

Thanks again. My brakes are pretty close to being good now. However, I think I will get one of those brake pumps and try that.