Lots done this last weekend

Got a lot accomplished this last weekend. Changed the transmission fluid and oil, new transmission linkage and dipstick, and got the vacuum line pulled for the brake system. There's a check valve in there that has terrible flow, I think that's my problem with poor braking. I'll bleed them out one time, replace the lines and see if I can either find a new valve or fix the old one.

Ordered up a Mallory Unilite points conversion kit for the ignition system and have a few miscellaneous things yet but it's looking like I might actually have the car ready for when the snow melts. Been years since that's happened.

hell yeah!!!!

Where is this check valve?

Right behind the master cylinder on the same line as the one coming off the manifold vacuum. It's a 90 elbow about the size of a quarter in diameter. I believe it has a diaphragm inside that only allows flow in 1 direction.


Also got the antifreeze drained and thermostat pulled last night. Started sorting out the electrical issues and got the directional switch replaced. I'm getting there now. Even ordered up a Mallory Unilite points conversion kit since Crane Cams went out of business and I can't find one of their's anywhere.

Do you have to have the check valve? I got a complete Power Brake set up off ebay but there was no check valve.

Actually in order to maintain higher vacuum during high engine speeds when vacuum is low you're going to need the valve to keep the pressure up on the brake system. Otherwise when slowing from say highway speeds you vacuum pressure would be low and your brakes wouldn't work as well.

That makes sense. Let me know what you figure out.

Vacuum is at its lowes when the throttle is wide open, and engine speed is low. At idle, or when closing the carb there is plenty of vacuum, but the check valve ensures that the vacuum reservoir is keept at peek vacuum, and it should hold enough for multiple stops (nice if the engine stalls). The valve type is not critical, and just about any type should do.
My 59 has no powerbrakes, and still the brakes are not hard to operate - so it should work resonably well even wothout powerassist.
The easy way to check the function of the power brakes is to stop the engine, press the brake pedal with normal operating pressure, start the engine and the pedal should immidiatly drop a noticeable amount.
First step a few times on the brake with the engine off to use any remaining vacuum though.