1955 Caribbean brake question

Posted by ewrecks On 2014/10/19 23:17:03

I have completely rebuilt the brake system on the car- new shoes, hold downs , springs and wheel cylinders from Kanter; rebuilt Tredlevac/ master cylinder from Merritt, new stainless lines. The drums were checked and cleaned. We have bled the system adjusted the shoes per manual and adjusted the emergency brakes, installed all new vacuum hoses and checked for vacuum.
Brakes still feel like power brake unit is not working. The car will stop but not like I would expect - compared to Tredlevac assist on my 57 Lincoln.
I have followed the Service Manual troubleshooting instructions and have pumped the pedal to exhaust vacuum and then started car with foot on the pedal- seems to depress easier than depressing pedal with engine stopped. Pedal seems to operate smoothly without binding and when car is shut off, have about 1/4 inch of free play.
Actually removed a rebuilt T- vac I originally installed fro Tucson Packard which did not appear to be working since could not hear vacuum escaping when pedal pushed when engine was stopped. Had initial clearance problem with shoe on right rear binding on the inside of drum- corrected with minor grinding.
Any hints will be appreciated.
Thanks
RJR