New (Positive) Findings on My Brake Woes! Please Advise

[BanditDave]

Hey Guys,

I have been on several sites complaining about my brake issues with my Pro-Touring '78 TA and I think I am finally on the right track. Here's the details:

Bled the living snot out of the brakes...many many times. Could not get a rock solid pedal with the brake booster vacuum line attached. It is a DSE Booster/Master combo with all new lines, adjustable proportioning valve and basically stock '99 TA rear calipers mounted up front and '86 Grand National front calipers mounted on the rear (no e-brake at this time). I did the 1LE upgrade to the front with Impala spindles and 12" rotors. Stock size rotors in the rear.

I decided that I would get saucy and drive the thing up and down the driveway and see if I can stop the car...I have enough runoff to not cause any damage to anyone but the car...haha

Anyway, the pedal feel is really crappy as well as travel but the brakes grab REALLY well. I believe that the fuel tank was a little low but the motor actually bogged on a couple of the stops (different issue but easily fixed). I am beginning to believe that the master cylinder might be too large for my relatively small brake set-up?

Any and all ideas are appreciated!

I am going to start a build thread on here soon.

Thanks!
Dave

[XcYZ]

Dave, did you bench bleed the MC?

[BanditDave]

Hey Scott,

Yes indeed, many many many times. I first did it on the car, then when I changed the booster, I did it in the bench vise with a screw driver as my pushrod. I somehow feel like even though i bled the darn things a million times, there is still some air in it!

Dave