Hoping to Catch a Brake (1948 NYer)

[Hughes]

I've been working on a 1948 New Yorker as my first restoration project (admittedly with no prior experience) and I'm stuck on the brake system. I replaced all of the hard lines, hoses, master cylinder, and all wheel cylinders, but I'm having difficulty getting good pedal. If I pump it, I can get some pressure. That suggests to me that I have air in the lines, but I've spent hours bleeding the system. I don't see any leaks at the connections, in the lines/hoses, or at the wheel cylinders. Could I have a bad master cylinder even though it's brand new?

 

I'd really appreciate any thoughts from any of you who undoubtedly have more experience than I. 

Edited August 15, 2022 by Hughes (see edit history)

[Bloo]

You might have to make a tool to adjust the shoes. They are pretty difficult to get adjusted right, but really work good when you finally get them right.

[Hughes]

Thanks @Bloo I bought a tool similar to @keithb7's design (before I realized he was the original creator). Based on your suggestion, I performed a major adjustment on the rear tonight. I'll work on the front in the next day or so and see if that helps. I really hoping it does. I'd like to drive it before the summer is over.

[Bloo]

It's extremely important on those cars. Good luck!

 

 

[JFranklin]

I had a GrayRock manual that gave instruction on adjusting the front shoes without the special tool. I was able to get very close but it takes a lot of patients.

[Hughes]

@Bloo Just to follow up on this, a more exacting major adjustment seems to have done the trick. I guess I wasn't as careful as I needed to be in my initial adjustment. With all the posts talking about the importance of proper adjustment, I'm feeling a bit foolish for not suspecting this as the problem originally and I really appreciate the advice. 

[Bloo]

Glad you got it sorted out!