help with brakes

[JasonHambelton]

I just replaced the master cylinder, rear wheel cylinders and freed
up the front calipers on my '72 sedan. Trouble is the braking is
still very poor. I can barely get the wheels to lock up if I stand
on it very hard. I have a manual and is that the correct depiction
of how the seals are oriented in the master cylinder? I couldn't get
anything out of the front part of the master cylinder until I
reversed one of the u-cups. Now all the u-cups for both front and
rear spools are facing the same direction but this does not agree
with the factory manual? I get very little fluid out of the front
bleeders when I bleed them. Also, there is no difference in pedal
feel from when the car is running and when it is off -- brake booster
problem? I bled the master cylinder before bleeding the brakes
starting at the rear. Car stops eventually just not like it should.
Thanks in advance for the help in getting this thing back on the
road.

[dealadayray]

I am trying to visualize the U-CUPS you describe. can you use the attached
picture and say which number your talking about?
Bill

[Steve]

Install the cups as shown in Bill's picture. If you have the 3/4"
master cylinder make sure all the smaller seals are the same height
or you may have the seals covering up the ports to the master.
Make sure your front & rear brake hoses are not blocked with
crystalized fluid. A booster which has failed is as worthless as no
booster at all. Fluid will pass through it as if it were not there at
all. The booster is a very tricky unit, but with care you can inspect
it by dismantle and reassemble if it is good (they never are if the
car's been sitting).
Bleed the master, then the front brakes first, then the rears. More
air is held in the fronts and the backs don't do much to stop the car.
Miles
www.600miles.com

[JasonHambelton]

I had the u-cups just like your picture on #6. I couldn't get any
fluid out of this chamber so I turned the cup on the rear of #6
around so that now all cups are facing the same direction--like #7.
Obviously this is not right so I have something else wrong.

[JasonHambelton]

I had the u-cups just like your picture on #6. I couldn't get any
fluid out of this chamber so I turned the cup on the rear of #6
around so that now all cups are facing the same direction--like #7.
Obviously this is not right so I have something else wrong.

[dealadayray]

Well, the picture is correct, look at the attached picture and note the
bleed back holes, they are there to allow the fluid to flow back into the
reservoir and allow the pads and shoes to release the wheels so you can
continue down the road. A plugged bleed back hole will cause you to lock up
your wheels.
Also there is a front and rear check valve, the front brakes need larger
holes, so in the area marked F for front brakes, the check valve needs the
larger holes.
Bill

[Steve]

Send me your master cylinder, I will correctly assemble it for you
for free. It must not have severe pits and seals must be new. Send
$6.00 for return postage. Add $13.00 if you desire new check valves.
Miles Chappell
5476 Jackson Way
Felton Ca 95018
XXX-XXX-XXXX aft 7pm