Topic: 69 Grande (351w), rear brake lines wont tighten

[hkopp]

I am working on a car that has sat since the 70's.  I replaced all of the brakes, and prior to hooking up lines I ran a quart or so of fluid threw the lines to make sure they were not dirty. No leaks on the car then, and hard lines do look good (sitting in dry idaho, little rust on entire car), I replaced all soft lines.  Once I tightened the rear wheel cylinders up (the nut bottomed out on the wheel cylinder) the line will still move in and out.  What gives?  I have cross referenced the wheel cylinders on a few sites and they are supposed to be correct.  Any ideas?  Oh...the car has 4 wheel drums...no power assist.

[J_Speegle]

Hmm can't think of why that would happen since the line is designed to seat against the wheel cylinder

I'm guessing that you've already checked to see if the PO inserted an extra seat or something in the bore, measured the depth of the threads and compared them to the length of the fitting on the brake line or some other reasons that might be restricting the travel of the fitting. Normally there is a fair amount of thread from the fitting still showing once the fitting is tight

These aren't new lines that your replacing along with all the other parts are they?

[hkopp]

No, the lines are original.  I dont have the original cylinders, long story but they were there in 1985 when I owned the car, it was sold and never moved from behind a barn for 20 yrs, then I got it back.  The rear axles and backing plates, front end, drivers door, and front wiring harness were stolen, and all the glass broken out.  The brakes worked when I had it just fine, so I am at a loss when I am buying 2 sets of cylinders for the correct application and neither work. 

[hkopp]

Ok, I found the problem and I don't know how I missed it, but how is it possible to go through 2 sets from 2 different suppliers and have the same problem? I wont be playing the lotto anytime soon.

The brake cylinders did not have the internal farrel seats needed to seat the line. All wagners...good lord did they ship out a few pallets of them w/o the seats? Picked up another set this morning and took mine in to compare depths. It was obvious when I placed another next to the missing unit.

[J_Speegle]

Makes sense that something was missing - good to know you found it