Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

A word of caution when using a vacuum bleeder is that if you pull long enough, it's possible to suck air past the piston seals and you will think you are still bleeding.

You can fashion a pressure bleeder by adding an air fitting to a spare master cylinder cover. You will have to be careful and use very low pressure as the cover gasket will not withstand much overpressure. 

1973 L-82 4 spd

Thread is 14 years old....

Sorry but just showed up in my email.  Software needs to prevent replies to threads over X years.  😉

1973 L-82 4 spd

No problem replying to old threads.  Many of us search for answers on the forums and it doesn't matter to us when the reply was made if it was helpful.

I'll add to this old thread.

I wasn't having any issues with my brakes, but I decided to replace everything last year. It had stainless calipers put on in the past, before I bought it. I planned on rebuilding the calipers, but after taking two off with decent scoring on the cylinder wall, I decided to replace all 4. New calipers, pads, master cylinder, and hoses. 

The only big pain was removing the hoses. I had flare nut wrenches (old Craftsman) but I was starting to round off the nuts anyways. I stopped and pondered for a few hours. I could either take vice grips to the darn things and begin a complete brake line replacement project, or I could try a different set of wrenches. Option 2 it was. I ordered a used set of Snap-On flare wrenches off eBay. My goodness, they fit like they were forged directly around those old flare nuts. All came off without any problems. The rest of the job was straight forward.

I'm surprised the Craftsman wrench did not fit well.  These used to be one of the best in the business.

The last issue I had with the brakes on my '75 was it was loosing fluid, but we couldn't find any leaks.  We finally found that it was leaking through the rear seal on the master cylinder and onto the power booster, which rotted the booster diaphragm.

I too am surprised at your displeasure with Craftsman. I've had mine for Many years, and still work well. Is it possible you have a very deteriorated fastener, or a non S.A.E. fitting? A six point 1/4 inch socket is also a possible option. I've used both with success. 

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