Replacing the hydraulic brake system on a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air

[@liljoeii6091]

Wow Howard you're going to be set for the next 20 years awesome job thank you for the video

[@OldCarAlley]

I sure hope so.

[@glenbo2464]

You take such wonderful care of the car that i hope it goes to a museum or someone special who will love it the way you have and keep it original years from now when you no longer can drive it.

[@OldCarAlley]

Hoping that's a long time away.... I would want someone to drive and enjoy the car.... It ruins them to just sit unused. Museum cars usually run poor, due to lack of use.

[@bradhoward9055]

What great video. I love your explanations on the right way, the wrong way and then you do it your way. Getting everything exactly correct, cleaning and painting and then checking and double checking your work. Your commitment to excellence is so very obvious in every project you tackle. Thank you for doing these fabulously informative videos.

[@OldCarAlley]

It cost less to do it right the first time, than cobble it and half to do it over again.....

[@garywilson12]

great job howard car looks real good even the underside, i like your work and attention to detail

[@OldCarAlley]

The underside really needs a good cleaning. I don't bother cleaning it often, due to I drive the car often when the weather is nice. It's a great summer cruiser.

[@kevinhawley8803]

Nice work Howard

[@an-albumhole4400]

👍👍👍

[@OBC-radio]

The previous owner of my Corvair used Dot-5 silicone fluid when he had the lines replaced. Not only is it expensive, I’ve also found it very hard to bleed. I have to resort to a bladder-type pressure bleeder to flush the system properly. Yes, it has advantages and won’t blister paint, but the disadvantages outweigh the benefits in my opinion. It also makes a terrible mess if spilled, and is very hard to clean. I flushed it out and went back to DOT-3. Flush it regularly and you’re all good.

[@OldCarAlley]

Thats almost exactly what I heard from a friend that used it ONCE! He also stated after a few stops the pedal would get spongy. He stated don't use it, so I didn't.

[@OBC-radio]

@@OldCarAlley That’s exactly what happens. You can’t get a proper firm pedal when bleeding, because it froths and traps air bubbles within the fluid causing voids when pumping the pedal or using normal brake bleeder hand pumps. When I first bought the car in 2020, I replaced the wheel cylinders and went to bleed with more DOT-5. I spent hours trying to get it to bleed, even roped in my Dad (a GM engineer) and uncle (also a mechanical engineer and Porsche mechanic) who were equally perplexed that an old single-master drum brake system had us stumped. It took about a gallon+ of DOT-5 being continually & consistently flushed through with the pressure bleeder machine to get all the bubble-laiden fluid out of the lines. Later that year I flushed it all out and went back to glycol. Never again!

[@Martin48964]

Hey Howard I was a little confused at the beginning of this video because I thought the brakes were done. But you repacked the wheel bearings in between. I couldn't understand why you weren't using your new light at first. I finally figured it out. I have to say this was a very interesting video. Of course it's a learning session for me because it educates me on my Belair. The only difference is mine is a duel system and yours a single. Anyway, do you remember the first time you rode in my Belair you noticed that my front passenger brake squeals when they are hot? You mentioned that it needed a longer spring? Am I right that you said that? I have another problem with that brake that I would like to discuss with you. I'm saving that for our next visit. Anyway have you chosen the day you are going to pull the seat out of the Belair? It's supposed to rain most of next week. Are you planning on moving the truck out of the garage to do it? I certainly would like to help with the seat belts and the new foam instalation. Maybe even if it's to hold the camera to free up your hands. How are things going with the rental? Again this was a great video!

[@OldCarAlley]

Yes, I did a bunch of odds and ends on the Bel Air why waiting on parts. Not sure when I will start on the seat. I want to have the belts before starting and I have other appointments in the next two weeks, so I have no clue when I will work on that. If you look at my front drums, maybe when I painted them, one has a spring wrapped around it. That will stop a drum from squealing or chattering. A lot of cars rolled off the assembly line with a spring around the drum to stop drum noise..... not uncommon back in the day. A screen door spring from your local hardware will do the job of quieting a drum down. I'v been rained out of working at the rental, so maybe next week I'll get it finished up.....

[@nickbruni8041]

👌🏼⛽️👍🏼

[@milfordcivic6755]

Unless you're going to do a front disc brake conversion, I don't see the point in rebuilding everything if it still passes inspection. But thats just me.

[@OldCarAlley]

I find the old drum brakes are fine, as they will stop that big old car just as quick as modern cars with four wheel disc systems.