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Speed bleeders...

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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 07:09 PM
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Default Speed bleeders...

I'm going to install speed bleeders on my 74. May be a stupid question but do I need to draine system to do so? Could use a little guidance.
Thanks
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 07:27 PM
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If you use rags to soak up fuid and swap them quickly there is no need to drain system. remember brake fluid will ruin paint on contact, so be careful.Then bleed brakes and flush system with new fluid if its been awhile.
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by jbaron
I'm going to install speed bleeders on my 74. May be a stupid question but do I need to draine system to do so? Could use a little guidance.
Thanks
suck the fluid from the master and replace, bleed each caliper till clear fluid comes out, checking the master after every caliper, remember 4 bleeders on the rear...you are done...
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 07:54 PM
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 08:18 PM
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Alohas,
What color is your C3? Links to pics and or color code if you have it.Lookin to paint mine in the future...
Speed bleeders are great!
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 09:02 PM
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Go to your local auto or hardware store and buy some 1/4" clear plastic hose. Take a glass jar and drill a 1/4" hole in it's screw on cover. Put your speed bleeders in and run the plastic hose from the bleeder into the jar. Your brakes will be bled in minutes. The speed bleeders are the best.

Last edited by SSG26K; Dec 28, 2009 at 09:10 PM.
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 09:30 PM
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Before you start, make sure you can break the bleeders free and that you don't have any that are frozen. Keep checking the master cylinder level as you bleed each one, you don't want to get air into the master.
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by SSG26K
Go to your local auto or hardware store and buy some 1/4" clear plastic hose. Take a glass jar and drill a 1/4" hole in it's screw on cover. Put your speed bleeders in and run the plastic hose from the bleeder into the jar. Your brakes will be bled in minutes. The speed bleeders are the best.
I usually just use plastic bottles. The clear plastic tubing shows the air bubbles passing thru it.
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 09:53 PM
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I have replaced my speed bleeders with OE bleeders after I bleed. The Speed Bleeders work excellently but I find they corrode badly if left in place. Have a friend hold the pedal to the floor as you refit the OE bleeders and your pedal will stay firm.
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 01:30 AM
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Originally Posted by markids77
I have replaced my speed bleeders with OE bleeders after I bleed. The Speed Bleeders work excellently but I find they corrode badly if left in place. Have a friend hold the pedal to the floor as you refit the OE bleeders and your pedal will stay firm.
Any chance that you remember the brand that corroded easily?
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 09:48 AM
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If you like to use the vacuum method of bleeding the brakes, be advised that it won't work well, if at all, with speed bleeders. The vacuum can't overcome the spring force that holds the check ball in place within the speed bleeder.
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 12:48 PM
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I installed the speed bleeders on my 1980 some time ago, all the old bleeders came off pretty easy, with the exception of one, I needed the vice grips for that one. Make sure your master cylinder cap is on, spray each bleeder with WD-40 and then remove it and have the speed bleeder on hand to install right away. Once you have all the speed bleeders in place, maker sure your master cylinder is topped off and then follow the bleeding procedure for each wheel as designated in the corvette shop manual. I managed to change all the bleeders and during the process I lost very little break fluid when removing the old bleeder and installing the new bleeder. During the bleeing process, I bled each side a little above and beyond to allow for all the old fluid out of the lines, make sure you keep an eye on the master cylinder and that it is topped off during this whole process.
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 04:40 PM
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I got them on Fleabay and I think the brand was "Speed Bleeder". Silver/gray bubble pack with red lettering. They claim there is a proprietary coating on them to inhibit rust... that is bunk. Easiest bleeding I've ever done though!
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 05:29 PM
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Try Russel Performance Speed Bleeders from Jegs.
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 06:01 PM
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That's what I orderd from Summit.Looking forward to easy bleeding.
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Old Feb 2, 2010 | 10:10 PM
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Autozone lists 2 different sizes for 80 Corvette below.. Anyone know which is correct? I assume the 5/16 x 24 but, wanted to check here before ordering them with my rear calipers...

Speed bleeder, M8-1.25 thread size x 24mm longitude
Speed bleeder, 5/16"-24 thread x 1" longitude


Thanks in advance
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by chrisd0729
Autozone lists 2 different sizes for 80 Corvette below.. Anyone know which is correct? I assume the 5/16 x 24 but, wanted to check here before ordering them with my rear calipers...

Speed bleeder, M8-1.25 thread size x 24mm longitude
Speed bleeder, 5/16"-24 thread x 1" longitude


Thanks in advance
Any chance you guys know which size or model # is correct for rear speed bleeders on an '80?
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 10:52 AM
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I still advocate Motive power bleeder.....dang that's the best tool I ever bought...! I'm just sayin....!

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