Speed Bleeders

[JoeK]

Okay, so I went ahead and bought the Speed Bleeders. I thought, "what the heck, it couldn't hurt". I got the rear ones installed no problem, but the front bleeders are shaped differently.

The original front bleeders have a flat end, as opposed to the rear, which are pointed. Does anybody have any experience with these? I thought I could maybe grind them flat, but I'm not sure which area actually creates the seal. Is it the flat area, or the shoulder at the bottom of the threads? If it's the flat, then I'd have to have the tolerances too tight, I'd just stick with the stock bleeders in the front.

If I don't get these to work, anybody want a pair of speed bleeders for their rear brakes?

All insights or crazy theories will be appreciated,

Thanks

[FergO2k]

No Grinding!!
the front speedbleeders are "flat" (actually 'cupped') because the old system front bleeder has a ball bearing sitting down in there to create a hard seal.
You have to fish out this ball bearing to use the speedbleeder, then it works fine. It is not easy to fish this out, as it is round (duh, sorry for that) so it flips out of a tweezers pretty easy.
Ya know, I read in a hot rod magazine that if you clamp (bungees) the pedal to the floor, the piston is past the inlet ports, then when the system is open the fluid won't drain out. can anyone confirm this on our roadsters?
Fergus O, 69 2000, HB, CA

[Minh]

I'm a guessing gravity is still a factor.

[dynaguy]

After I ruined the first speed bleeder, I found that little ball bearing and got it out quickly with a small magnet on the end of a mini screwdriver. The bleeders work nicely along with a Motive Products Power Bleeder for a one man job. Pat Mahoney '69 2000

[FergO2k]

hmm, for some reason I thought it was stainless, so not magnetic. My bad. bet it was just rust free from being immersed in barke fluid all the time!
Gravity drain the fluid? maybe not. remember when you cap the top of a straw before you remove it from the glass, when you pull it out no fluid drains. No air in = no fluid out.

[SER240Z]

Does anyone know what sizes are needed for the brakes and clutch of a 69 2000?

Thanks
Scott

[S Allen]

Speed bleeders replace the existing bleeders. They have a one way valve built in them which makes bleeding brakes a breeze. They are 3/8" x 24 TPI thread. Speedbleeders part number is SB3824 for both front and rear. Not sure about the clutch slave.

Steve

[SER240Z]

Thanks Steve. That is the same for a 69 also right? Or are all the years the same?

Scott

[S Allen]

They should be all the same. I updated the FAQ's on the main web site adding the bit about the small ball bearing in the front calipers and its removal in order for the speed bleeders to fit correctly.

Steve

[SER240Z]

Thanks Steve, didn't mean to question you, just wanted to make sure before I ordered.

Scott

[S Allen]

No problem-I did not take it like that anyways. Besides I am wrong sometimes but do not intentionally try to mis-lead anyone. Like the ball bearing issue in the front calipers-I forgot all about it until you guys brought it up again.

Steve

[bengelhardt]

Has anyone out there used speed bleeders on their clutch slave and/or on the brake master cylinder? If so, part numbers for each would be very helpful. I'm getting ready to order a set for the brakes. I figured that I should get them for all hydraulics while I'm at it.

Thanks.

[bengelhardt]

Just for the record, the clutch slave is the same as brakes (SB3824) and the brake master uses SB7100S.