How is the best way to purge brake lines

Depends on the vehicle.

Do you have ABS?

nate

No - the patient in question is a 1976 Corvette 350 smogger (stingray)....

then it really doesn't matter. I would probably replace the hoses while I'm that far into it - if they're the original hoses the rubber may be swollen and/or deteriorating.

nate

It's best not to let the system drain.

If the system drains you will may have to pull the master cylinder and re bench-bleed it. If the car in question has ABS you may have to follow special procedures to bleed that.

If you are replacing the master cylinder too then don't worry about it.

Steve B.

I was not intending to do the master unless needed and I think it is ok - it is mainly leaking seals on the calipers. I was going to check out the brake hoses (probably replace) and lines as they are original.

If you end up replacing the hard lines, they're easy enough to bend yourself but for a 'vette you can probably get prebent ones from Classic Tube, Vette Brakes, etc. Stainless is nice and you'll never do that particular job again if you use it :)

If you're not replacing the MC I recommend either using a pressure bleeder or else putting a scrap of 2x4 under the brake pedal when you bleed so you don't wipe out the seals.

nate

I notice vette brakes has a complete kit with s/s lined calipers, master, lines and hoses. I may go for that and be done with it. Has anyone every dealt with Vette brakes? THere prices seem pretty good....

I personally haven't, but they've been around for years. I remember getting a catalog from them before I ever had internet access. Must have been when I was still in high school and working on my '49 Chevy project.

nate

I notice vette brakes has a complete kit with s/s lined calipers, master, lines and hoses. I may go for that and be done with it. Has anyone every dealt with Vette brakes? THere prices seem pretty good....

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I have never dealt with them but I have installed some of their calipers before and they seem to be a very high quality product.