BUILD THREAD '78 Cutlass Supreme Lichen Edition

[doood]

Extra fear of God, and or bodily injury is never a bad thing. Here is current status: two jack stands on rear diff, jack on center section for backup, two ramps with chocks and straps in front. Four sets of cinder blocks, oriented properly with wood on frame. It's probably going to be up for another week before I get the diff fluid changed, gas tank reinstalled, brakes done.

Passenger drum came off with minimal beating - leave assembled for now as reference. Adjusters are rather frozen, so adjusting them slack, with proper spoon tool likely wouldn't have been successful.

I think i'm gonna want to seal some of these seams in the undercarriage... old stuff comes down on me when I beat on the drums.

 

[78Delta88]

Dang, you built a foundation. I wasn't picking on you, just noticed the blocks and Jack under it.

Long story, but a long time ago (Galaxy far far away...) My Grandfather and I were working on his truck. Brand new jack, just purchased and just after jacking and grandpa was going for the stands..., the jack blew out.

Hydraulic fluid was everywhere and very fortunate we had not removed the tire yet. Also fortunate that nobody or body parts were near the truck when the jack blew. It's one of those things you never forget.

 

[78Delta88]

Always depends on budget first, but if you can get the hold down kit with new adjusters, that would be good and all the old stuff can go in the scrap metal container.

Also seeing this is a 1978. If this is the first time shoes are being changed it is a possibility of asbestos dust being present.

It's not something anyone thinks about today, yet back when these were being changed, most brake shops had specific collection devices for this. A singular DIY brake job isn't much of a concern, mainly for mechanics doing several a day.

In your case just get decent size clean drain pan put under work area, and spray every thing including backing plate with warm soapy water. Let it drip into pan. Wipe down with rags or the shop quality paper towels let fall into pan, make sure to use gloves. The yellow kitchen dish washing gloves are best.

Asbestos is an airborne issue, the water will contain it and just wash it away. What you don't want to do it hit the area with compressed air and breathe any of it. Asbestos is organic, found in soil/rock but if it gets in the lungs very difficult to expel and the body can't absorb or metabolize it away.

 

[doood]

Brakes are done, and bled. Pedal is firm, but I have a slow drip (1 drop per hour?) from the passenger front banjo bolt. I've swapped copper washers and torqued beyond what should be necessary. Could be I have a crumb of something stuck to one of the mating surfaces. I ordered a new front hose, and I'm hoping that fixes the issues... Such an ordeal just to change the washers, and re-bleed; changing the hose is going to suck. I've never had any trouble getting any of these inverted flare or banjo bolts to seat properly.

 

[SoFloG]

Brakes are done, and bled. Pedal is firm, but I have a slow drip (1 drop per hour?) from the passenger front banjo bolt. I've swapped copper washers and torqued beyond what should be necessary. Could be I have a crumb of something stuck to one of the mating surfaces. I ordered a new front hose, and I'm hoping that fixes the issues... Such an ordeal just to change the washers, and re-bleed; changing the hose is going to suck. I've never had any trouble getting any of these inverted flare or banjo bolts to seat properly.

Have you tried filpping copper washers? Sometimes they like being seated a certain way. Have you brakleen'd all around it to rule out that it is residual leaking.

 

[doood]

Have you tried filpping copper washers? Sometimes they like being seated a certain way. Have you brakleen'd all around it to rule out that it is residual leaking.

Torch-annealed 45 year old used copper washers for the win. Does not appear to be leaking anymore. Tried to use the old bolt as well but it bottomed out!!!!!! So, still had to make a mess twice, and only lost one 10mm socket.

I can't find a hose that will make a good seal on a front bleeder... I sit there pumping ounces out with bubbles using vacuum bleeder because hose won't make a seal. Drives me crazy. Stiff pedal indicates no air. We'll see during shakedown.

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

Ahh, the ol' thermal persuasionator... nice.

 

[78Delta88]

New copper washers are available.

On the bleeder did you try small vacuum line? Or in the pet dept. fish section..., small clear vinyl line?

 

[doood]

New copper washers are available.

On the bleeder did you try small vacuum line? Or in the pet dept. fish section..., small clear vinyl line?

2 sets of new washers leaked at 50 ft lbs. One set came with calipers, another was Dorman... I buggered the set that came with the hose before I filled the system with fluid. Can't remember why I unclamped it the first time, but I didn't reuse those washers. Inspection of grooves on discarded washers looks like uneven clamping surface (not flat). Old washers worked.

I will look into the fishtank tubing. Good lead

 

[78Delta88]

Yeah sad, but quality today isn't what it used to be.