I have a 65 jetstar convertible that has been sitting for 4 years other than being started on a regular basis. I decided to get it ready to sell it and the brake pedal is locked up , looked under the hood and the resivor was bone dry, any ideas on what I can do to remedy this problem?

Thanks in advance!

Dennis

 

check for leaks fill mc may have to rebuild it as fluid just doesn't go away with time.

 

The master cylinder piston is rusted/frozen. You most likely will need to swap it out or rebuild. You could have a leak too or leaky wheel cylinders or rubber lines.

 

thanks, nice to find a inexpensive part for $23 bucks with lifetime warrenty>

 

Find out where that fluid went! Most likely the master cylinder rusted and froze after it was empty or nearly so. There should be a puddle or trail somewhere. The leak needs to be fixed before you drive it.

 

OK I picked up the master cylinder today and put it on, filled with brake fluid and it was too late and dark to do anything els so tomorrow I will be checking things out, I assume I will have to bleed the brakes, can someone give me a reminder, i haven't done it in over 30 years. Thanks.

 

I'd flush the lines while you are at it. Start at the wheel farthest form the MC. If you are going to be doing it yourself you might want to invest in a vacuum bleeder. If you want to flush keep pulling fluid from the bleeder and top off the MC reservoir as you go so it never runs dry, do this until fresh fluid is coming out. Repeat at each wheel working from the farthest to the closest to the MC (RR, LR, RF, LF).

Edit: Though it can be done yourself with the brake pedal if when you bleed you keep the hose end from the bleeder in a jar of clean brake fluid.

 

Thanks, it's coming back to me now, I probably will replace the brake lines and cylinders while I am at it.