I didn't even know brake fluid would do that. Wow. Great video. Always amazes me those single circuit master brake systems. Not particularly safe. All those original parts had the appearance of being very well made - even warn as they were.
You could say the master , mastered the master cylinder ! It always amazes me how there are always specialists out there to cater for these classics . This Pontiac is in fabulous condition Steve . Thankyou
marvelous that the rubber brake lines aren't shot and all wheel cylinders function with no overhaul, no lines clogged, drums don't need a turn, no new shoes--marvelous
Steve----- You're one of the best Teachers on the tube. Not to mention the Filming & Editing It Takes to get This Info *sunk into* us. Greatly Appreciated. Heck I didn't know you could Still get rebuild kits for these '50s models. Thank So Much
Funny and strange, swing pedal with the master cylinder under the floor. Never knew this even though there were plenty of these cars back in my youth. Born in '47.
where's the part that shows what happens when the attachment bolts snap off when trying to remove the master cylinder, or the part when you find that all four brake lines are clogged with old fluid, and when the bleed screws snap off on the first turn? ...where's that part? :)
Totally amazed that you can so easily find parts for such an obscure vehicle. No doubt they are common across a number of other models too but still for a car of that vintage it's pretty impressive. Looking forward to seeing it being driven on the highway.
I was comparing this car to the 57 Chevy. Frame is similar but has the convertible X cross member. Only convertible Chevys had it for stiffening. Chevy had hanging pedals by 55 and my 56 Chevy had the master cylinder on the firewall. My 54 Buick had it under the floor board and had the old frame mounted pedals. The Buick had torque tube driveshaft till 59 and wire cable driven wipers. Your Pontiac has the bell housing mounted motor mounts as well.
Hey,thanks for the video. Never seen one of the older systems apart. The engineering differences to the late 60s cars are surprising. Having seen the consequences of single line brakes failure,I just cannot encourage anyone to continue with their use. One pinhole anywhere,and very bad things happen. Especially how the filler plug is buried with no way to visually check level. Maybe a simple electrode warning could be rigged. Level drops below contact,light goes on. Changing a vacuum boost car like this to dual line is not going to be for the fainthearted. Nice car.
Back in the 80's I picked up a 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible...... she had taken a smack to her nose but came with all the parts to fix her up, After I replaced her front bumper, grill, hood and left front fender I would cruise her around town...... smooth 394/345hp she would get up and go :) I come home one day and pull into my 80' foot driveway, as I'm coming up to my detached garage, I step on the brakes...... Nothing! that single stage master cylinder shit the bed and miss starfire smacked right into my sweet 1970 Ford XL Convertible :( shoved her right through the garage wall. Amazingly neither car had much damage, it was only a couple MPH hit but the starfire is a bit over 4000 pounds :D Old cars are built like tanks, The garage wall was properly fucked though :D :D :D
Beautiful car, it was new when I was in High School. How long did it take to bet a rebuild kit for such an old car? I wish I could get a rebuild kit for myself and find a doctor who can rebuild me so I look that good again. What was it about 20 years before they began putting Disc Brakes on cars like this one, I know the European cars had Disc Brakes long before the American cars. Ever wonder how many people died because of the drum brakes instead of Disc. Seat belts was something that was missing on those beautiful cars and how many lives did that cost. I was last of a family of 6 and we often questioned how we lived to be 80 years old without such simple things in the cars. I am betting you grew up without a baby seat for your safety. I have been watching a 61 Ford Convertible sit and decay away for the past 26 years and the owner will not sell it to someone who would make it beautiful again. What is you secret to finding cars?
Good job Steve! A fascinating look at a vehicle predates my experience. My '62 Ford had a much more conventional brake master cylinder and booster. Thanks!
Sweet sweet car. The wheel cylinders were ok? I have a 58 Cadillac that I sent out the whole assembly to be rebuilt but I shoulda just looked for a rebuild kit. Fortunately Cadillac put it up on the firewall and not underneath the floor like this Pontiac
Well, there's your problem! I never understood why the big GM cars tried to hide the brake systems for so long unlike chevy with the master on the firewall🤔
First time to see brake fluid so solidified in the master cylinder. Which made me wonder: might the brake fluid in the brake lines, and at the slave units in each wheel, also be solidified?
Hello Steve , amazing how cruddy the reservoir was. It seems like a lot of cars stand for a very long time causing the fluid to dry out . Would it be worth changing to a silicon fluid to prevent this happening in the future . Another good video as usual .
Where would I get a rebuild kit for the booster and a new master or rebuild kit? Does the whole assembly come up through the floor I have a starcheif wagon
Congratulations on what looked at first like a hopeless job. Whet process(es) were used to clean the master cylinder? It appeared to have several varieties of nasty adhering to it.
Love the channel, but stop fast forwarding through stuff you think isn’t interesting. This video wouldn’t have been too long at 20 minutes. It might have been nice to see the nuances of removing and installing the master cylinder and brake lines. Maybe even see some of the bleeding? If it runs and drives, takes us for a ride. Or explain why you can’t…snow? Keep up the good work.
I didn't even know brake fluid would do that. Wow. Great video. Always amazes me those single circuit master brake systems. Not particularly safe. All those original parts had the appearance of being very well made - even warn as they were.
They built them to last back in the day !! Great job Steve , very informative , Thank You !!
You could say the master , mastered the master cylinder ! It always amazes me how there are always specialists out there to cater for these classics . This Pontiac is in fabulous condition Steve . Thankyou
Steve, your car collection is amazing. Really appreciate the content. Cheers!
Great job. supprising how good it looked inside.
Nice car Steve and good work. I can see why brake boosters are where they are in modern cars. Whst a place to work.
marvelous that the rubber brake lines aren't shot and all wheel cylinders function with no overhaul, no lines clogged, drums don't need a turn, no new shoes--marvelous
As always , very impressive of your knowledge , and skills. Thank you for sharing .
Steve----- You're one of the best Teachers on the tube. Not to mention the Filming & Editing It Takes to get This Info *sunk into* us. Greatly Appreciated. Heck I didn't know you could Still get rebuild kits for these '50s models. Thank So Much
I'm so thankful that newer designs have made filling the brakes (and changing the master) a lot easier now.
Fantastic car ! Look at that chrome ! Gorgeous
I absolutely love old Pontiacs. Still remember riding around in my mom’s old Bonneville.
Honest and truly, that car is just too good.
I wish my 50 Buick Special had a brake booster. Informative video. Thanks
That's the first brake booster before 1960 wild set up all the best to you and family and friends
Funny and strange, swing pedal with the master cylinder under the floor. Never knew this even though there were plenty of these cars back in my youth. Born in '47.
where's the part that shows what happens when the attachment bolts snap off when trying to remove the master cylinder, or the part when you find that all four brake lines are clogged with old fluid, and when the bleed screws snap off on the first turn? ...where's that part? :)
Loved seeing the master rebuild!
Totally amazed that you can so easily find parts for such an obscure vehicle. No doubt they are common across a number of other models too but still for a car of that vintage it's pretty impressive. Looking forward to seeing it being driven on the highway.
exactly what I needed to see. Thanks for the awesome video
Thumbs up Steve.Not an easy job!
Thanks.
I was surprised that you can still get the rebuild kit for it. Nice job!
I was comparing this car to the 57 Chevy. Frame is similar but has the convertible X cross member. Only convertible Chevys had it for stiffening. Chevy had hanging pedals by 55 and my 56 Chevy had the master cylinder on the firewall. My 54 Buick had it under the floor board and had the old frame mounted pedals. The Buick had torque tube driveshaft till 59 and wire cable driven wipers. Your Pontiac has the bell housing mounted motor mounts as well.
I'm amazed that a master cylinder like that from the 50's could be rebuilt. Usually corrosion takes them beyond repair.
Hey,thanks for the video. Never seen one of the older systems apart. The engineering differences to the late 60s cars are surprising.
Having seen the consequences of single line brakes failure,I just cannot encourage anyone to continue with their use. One pinhole anywhere,and very bad things happen. Especially how the filler plug is buried with no way to visually check level. Maybe a simple electrode warning could be rigged. Level drops below contact,light goes on. Changing a vacuum boost car like this to dual line is not going to be for the fainthearted.
Nice car.
Back in the 80's I picked up a 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible...... she had taken a smack to her nose but came with all the parts to fix her up, After I replaced her front bumper, grill, hood and left front fender I would cruise her around town...... smooth 394/345hp she would get up and go :) I come home one day and pull into my 80' foot driveway, as I'm coming up to my detached garage, I step on the brakes...... Nothing! that single stage master cylinder shit the bed and miss starfire smacked right into my sweet 1970 Ford XL Convertible :( shoved her right through the garage wall. Amazingly neither car had much damage, it was only a couple MPH hit but the starfire is a bit over 4000 pounds :D Old cars are built like tanks, The garage wall was properly fucked though :D :D :D
Beautiful car, it was new when I was in High School. How long did it take to bet a rebuild kit for such an old car? I wish I could get a rebuild kit for myself and find a doctor who can rebuild me so I look that good again. What was it about 20 years before they began putting Disc Brakes on cars like this one, I know the European cars had Disc Brakes long before the American cars. Ever wonder how many people died because of the drum brakes instead of Disc. Seat belts was something that was missing on those beautiful cars and how many lives did that cost.
I was last of a family of 6 and we often questioned how we lived to be 80 years old without such simple things in the cars. I am betting you grew up without a baby seat for your safety.
I have been watching a 61 Ford Convertible sit and decay away for the past 26 years and the owner will not sell it to someone who would make it beautiful again. What is you secret to finding cars?
Now she has brakes that work she's ready for cruising, when the weather is good of course. Thanks for sharing this video Steve. 👍
Good information. My '56 Oldsmobile 88,needs the exact thing done to it.
Hi Steve. Nice Video, question? Where did you buy the rebuild kit for the bmc and booster? Thanks
Good job! My dad had same car except black and yellow👍
Good job Steve! A fascinating look at a vehicle predates my experience. My '62 Ford had a much more conventional brake master cylinder and booster. Thanks!
I love that car!
Who in Hell designed that master cylinder / booster set -up? geez.....good job overcoming that engineering nightmare!
The master cylinder overhaul was worth it. You need good brakes with a 2 ton car.
What a great oldie, let's see it out on the road, eh??
Sweet sweet car. The wheel cylinders were ok? I have a 58 Cadillac that I sent out the whole assembly to be rebuilt but I shoulda just looked for a rebuild kit. Fortunately Cadillac put it up on the firewall and not underneath the floor like this Pontiac
Subscribed. Found you guys through junkyard digs
that was great! i never had that old a one apart
What a great looking car, I will be watching for you to take it out for a drive.
as always, great stuff thanks
Beautiful car, and interesting brake master setup. Good info
@0:37 there’s a big black case against the firewall with two tubes coming out of it. What is that? I haven’t seen that before.
That is the heater, the heater core is in there.
@@ThisWeekWithCars Thanks!
Great car!
Steve If you can give a name & address for rebuild brake system for a 55 Pontiac
Looked to me like the fill cap was toward the right side before disassembly.
Easier to fill on the side that I put it, puts it towards the fender.
That's one big car, lots of work for that rebuild. Let's see her rip. 😏
Well, there's your problem! I never understood why the big GM cars tried to hide the brake systems for so long unlike chevy with the master on the firewall🤔
Cool car. 👍
buen video steve las mecanicas de antes mejor que las de ahora
First time to see brake fluid so solidified in the master cylinder. Which made me wonder: might the brake fluid in the brake lines, and at the slave units in each wheel, also be solidified?
No I don't think I have ever seen that except around a leaking wheel cylinder. Rust would be your worry more than the brake fluid inside of a pipe.
Hello Steve , amazing how cruddy the reservoir was. It seems like a lot of cars stand for a very long time causing the fluid to dry out . Would it be worth changing to a silicon fluid to prevent this happening in the future . Another good video as usual .
Nice car.
Fantastic car
Getting ready to rebuild the booster/master cylinder in my Star Chief 57 hardtop. Who's the source for that kit if you don't mind sharing?
Nice video . Thanks
Where would I get a rebuild kit for the booster and a new master or rebuild kit? Does the whole assembly come up through the floor I have a starcheif wagon
Congratulations on what looked at first like a hopeless job. Whet process(es) were used to clean the master cylinder? It appeared to have several varieties of nasty adhering to it.
I used glass bead to blast the outside of the master cylinder before I put it back together.
@@ThisWeekWithCars It did a very nice job, without destroying the part.
That car is beautiful Steve but that's not a great place for the brake reservoir. I didn't know brake fluid did that; never seen it before.😁👍
Your are lucky I see it at least once a month.
@@ThisWeekWithCars 😂
Dot 3?
Where do you find a brake repair kit for one of those?
On my 55 it’s right under it and not off to the side
Steve, is this what you do for a living? If so I’m jealous.
I didn't even know brake fluid could crystalize like that! Did you have to bleed the master cylinder before putting it in the car?
I did not.
that's a cool car.
1:22
Love the channel, but stop fast forwarding through stuff you think isn’t interesting. This video wouldn’t have been too long at 20 minutes. It might have been nice to see the nuances of removing and installing the master cylinder and brake lines. Maybe even see some of the bleeding? If it runs and drives, takes us for a ride. Or explain why you can’t…snow? Keep up the good work.
Lectra. 8^(
What a horrible design!!!!!!
What a great Car thanks.