C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Yes I know this is probably a beginner question...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 03:13 PM
  #1  
Jimbo3087's Avatar
Jimbo3087
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee Florida
Default Yes I know this is probably a beginner question...

Yeah I know this is probably a rookie question but... I am changing my brake master cylinder and need to know how to bench bleed it before I reinstall the new one.. Thanks in advance for not giving me too much flack...
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 03:15 PM
  #2  
BrianCunningham's Avatar
BrianCunningham
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,858
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Default

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...nch/index.html
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2009 | 09:36 AM
  #3  
jaa1992's Avatar
jaa1992
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Default

Thats a good article, but has anyone actually seen a bench bleeding kit at an autoparts store?

Anyone know a manuf or exact part number?

I'm going to need to replace at least 2 master cylinders this year, and maybe a third so having the "kit" would be a good thing to have (I have 3 older vehicles, 2 corvettes and a mustang if it matters)
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2009 | 09:47 AM
  #4  
94z07fx3's Avatar
94z07fx3
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by jaa1992
Thats a good article, but has anyone actually seen a bench bleeding kit at an autoparts store?
NAPA has universal kits, two hoses and various nipples, for about $10-15. I am certain any major parts chain store will have them as well.

Every master I've ever replaced has come with two hoses and two nipples. I suppose the only ones that don't come with the bleed kit are the AC/Delco.

Find a source for the kit but don't buy it until you see what is in the box with your new MC.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2009 | 11:16 AM
  #5  
turbopezz's Avatar
turbopezz
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Default

I just installed a rebuilt master and it came with the bench bleed kit.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2009 | 12:24 PM
  #6  
Jimbo3087's Avatar
Jimbo3087
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee Florida
Default

Originally Posted by turbopezz
I just installed a rebuilt master and it came with the bench bleed kit.
Who did you but it from and how much?
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2009 | 01:54 PM
  #7  
Calderone's Avatar
Calderone
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,448
Likes: 27
From: Valparaiso
Default

i have to install mine
what is this whole bench bleed thing ?
what if i bleed the system in the normal way ?
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2009 | 02:08 PM
  #8  
94z07fx3's Avatar
94z07fx3
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by Calderone
i have to install mine
what is this whole bench bleed thing ?
what if i bleed the system in the normal way ?
Bench bleeding refers to removing the air from the master cylinder prior to installing it on the car. This is nessisary because on the car the master cylinder is not level. You could level it once installed by jacking up the rear until the MC is level and then "bench bleed" it if you don't have access to a vise.

The "normal way" is to bench bleed a master cylinder off the vehicle.

It is not impossible to bleed the MC by bleeding the cailipers but it isn't easy and will consume more brake fluid. I've seen several posts here over time where in people didn't bleed the MC off the vehicle and pulled their hair out trying to get a good pedal.

In this video the guy is able to bleed the master on vehicle because it is level. Notice the drip at the line! If you push the MC's rod too fast with those plastic nipples on they can pop right off. Slow will work fine tho.

Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 4, 2009 | 02:13 PM
  #9  
floridamale's Avatar
floridamale
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
Default

You can bleed it on the car just as easy only it takes 2 people just bleed it before you reconnect to the lines get some real fittings that you use in place of the plastic fittings in the MC and bleed the system then attach the lines and check for pressure.

Last edited by floridamale; Aug 4, 2009 at 02:19 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2009 | 03:09 PM
  #10  
coupeguy2001's Avatar
coupeguy2001
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Default

onluy it's dangerous to your paint to bench bleed on the car incase of entrained air bubbles bursting out of the orifices and getting brake fluid on the paint.
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2009 | 10:16 AM
  #11  
turbopezz's Avatar
turbopezz
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Jimbo3087
Who did you but it from and how much?
I purchased it from a local auto parts store but this is the same one.
It was A little tricky to get the Cups,A vice sure did help.

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductD...pe=230&PTSet=A
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2009 | 12:18 PM
  #12  
Muffin's Avatar
Muffin
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Default

You should be able to pick one up at Advance.
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2009 | 01:50 PM
  #13  
jhammons01's Avatar
jhammons01
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Default

I listened to folks ONE time with the Bench bleed BS.

Wound up being a complete waste of 30 minutes.

Are we to suggest the the brake pedal does not get every bubble out? I ranted about brake bleeding before. And the reason being that it only takes me 15-20 minutes to bleed the system with one of my teenage boys or my wife pushing the pedal when I say push.....

Yet despite this success spanning almost 30 years, I continue to see these threads full of all kinds of ways to bleed the system.

"Push".....your helper pushes the pedal
You open the valve and let a little fluid out and close it quickly
Your helper holds that pedal until you say "release"

Repeat

You'll see clear fluid and bubbles come out when you are done

Move to the next wheel, repeat.

There is a special sequence for ABS brakes, and I don't know it off the top of my head.

I never touch those bench bleed hoses and fittin's.....

That's just my two cents.
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2009 | 01:56 PM
  #14  
jhammons01's Avatar
jhammons01
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Default

Originally Posted by 94z07fx3
lemme ask you something, this is nice video, but what happens when he pulls that red fitting off???

Wouldn't air get in the lines at that point?

So I'd like to know, if air is in the lines at the point where they connect to the master cylinder, what did the guy gain? He still has to move a bubble from that point to the release valve at the wheel cylinder and out the valve.

So He removed any bubbles from the MC plunger......what is that?? 1/4" gain in where the bubbles are located within the system?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Yes I know this is probably a beginner question...





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:33 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE