Brake issue..never had this before

[barbee6043]

I admit the car in question is a 66 F9ord Fairlane. As always, it is a project, I replaced the single pot MC with same, all new lines, all new wheel cylinders, to go with all new hardware, shoes, everything new. Bench bleed MC< I get her running, bleed brakes, and yard drives fine, normal pedal. I start it and run it ever so often, and then one day, I move it to another spot, and I have good brakes, but the pedal hardly goes down at ALL!! I go from NORMAL pedal to THIS!!!!
I go and check for any drums are too loosey or too tight, nothing there, the rod is correct length to MC. Only thing I can figure is issue with Master????? I thought I had all the air bleed out of the lines, ANY ideas!!??? Thanks!
I had not got back to it as I had electrical gremlins and I finally figured those out!!! Running good not!!

 

[Murray]

My first concern is if the M/C is returning all the way. Maybe rod is a little too long.

 

[AJ/FormS]

do the brakes release?
If no, then I'm with @Murray

 

[barbee6043]

My first concern is if the M/C is returning all the way. Maybe rod is a little too long.

That was a thought, but the rod that came with the car and the one that came with the new MC are same.

 

[barbee6043]

do the brakes release?
If no, then I'm with @Murray

I have just yard drove it. It stops ok, but the pedal just does not move more than probably 1/2 inch maybe. When I first got the brakes all gone thru, it did not do this, but probably all I did was move it 200 feet. Maybe I need to get an adjustable rod. Brakes are not dragging/I have never had this issue before and I am old.

 

[Syleng1]

Vacuum boosted or no?

 

[RustyRatRod]

4 wheel manual drum brakes are known for that when everything is correct and all the air is out of the system. My guess is, you had a little air left in at first resulting in the pedal going down a little bit. When the car sat there a while, the air self bled up through the master cylinder and now you have a correct full pedal. Daddy's 65 Falcon was like that. The pedal didn't move literally 1/2" before you had hydraulic pressure.

 

[AJ/FormS]

That was a thought, but the rod that came with the car and the one that came with the new MC are same.

do the brakes release?
If no, then I'm with @Murray

Upon further thought
1) If the pushrod is too long, it will all work fine until the friction surfaces wear enough that the pedal sinks towards the floor, because the fluid compensation method in the M/C is not working. Eventually the pedal will go to the floor with little to no braking taking place.
This is not what your system is doing, so Ima thinking to abandon that push-rod idea.
2) With the brakes known to be releasing; I'm kindof agreeing with Rusty

 

[Bewy]

Check that the park brake is releasing the shoes in the rear brakes.

 

[barbee6043]

Check that the park brake is releasing the shoes in the rear brakes.

I will do when it warms up!!!!!! BRrrrrrrr!

 

[barbee6043]

4 wheel manual drum brakes are known for that when everything is correct and all the air is out of the system. My guess is, you had a little air left in at first resulting in the pedal going down a little bit. When the car sat there a while, the air self bled up through the master cylinder and now you have a correct full pedal. Daddy's 65 Falcon was like that. The pedal didn't move literally 1/2" before you had hydraulic pressure.

I knew it might just be a FORD thing!!!!!!

 

[barbee6043]

Vacuum boosted or no?

No sir.

 

[ProjectBazza]

I knew it might just be a FORD thing!!!!!!

Hey! If you have an issue with Fords and want someone to make this just magically "Go Away", I happen to know a guy!

Of course I still haven't started working on the shop yet, though....

 

[barbee6043]

Hey! If you have an issue with Fords and want someone to make this just magically "Go Away", I happen to know a guy!

Of course I still haven't started working on the shop yet, though....

I like my Ford and Merc. Wife has been eyeballing 65 Stangs, SPORTY she says!! I would get down to just one old classic, but last time I had just one was probably about '82!!
Only old classics that are selling here are ones at giveaway prices. Wife can give them away after I croak!!

Actually my issue is a rare muscle disease. Hard for me to even lift my leg to mash a brake pedal.