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Thank you Howard. This is in reference to the 1954 Patrician that the blog is about. On the ground strap, there is apparently some contention about where it goes but factory photos that I've see show it connected to one of the water pump bolts.

Back at the Oregon shop and, while most of the trip this time will be in other work, I am going to spend some time on the Patrician and have ordered a few things for it including a Treadlevac rebuild kit and new cylinder casting. The Treadlevac in the car is good but unused for decades so at least needs new rubber parts but I am going to rebuild the very rough one from the parts car so that I can just swap them out. I'll append some photos to this after I save it because I can't seem to stay logged in long enough to do so at once.

As you can see, it's a mess inside. I also bought a few caps with a hole to use as adapters for my pressure bleeder so that the system can be thoroughly flushed.

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I went to Napa a few days ago and picked up new front wheel cylinders and hoses, and finally started getting them installed today. However, things I used to be able to do without even thinking about it I can no longer recall. For example, when adjusting brakes, I seem to recall that they are adjusted until snug, then backed off but how snug and how many clicks to back off?

Not actually doing any restoration yet but just trying to get the car roadable once again. It already runs nicely but safety things like the brakes need to be done and I got the kit today for the Treadlevac so will see how far I can get on that. This used to be an every-day driver so had gotten all new wheel bearings, brakes etc. many years ago and driven only a few thousand miles but the brakes at least are no longer save from decades of being parked. The shoes, though, are excellent. Of course, even if I get these things done, no road-testing yet since I've not yet removed the column to free up the shifter.

By the way, does anyone have the Napa part number handy for the rear brake cylinders?

Update: As Ross mentioned down in #87, I had the orange and yellow springs reversed so the first photo is how NOT to do it and the second is the correct way.

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51-4 manual says turn the star wheel until the wheel can just be turned by hand then back off as needed. 55-6 manual says the same about tightening to just turned by hand but then has you back off at least 7 notches or as required until the wheel turns freely.

For the rear wheels, both caution as Ross has mentioned several times, to disconnect the rear emergency brake cable at the equalizer and ensure there is slack into the wheel so there is no emergency brake interference before the adjustment. After the star wheel adj then do the procedure for adjusting the emerg brakes.

Thank you, Howard! I like better what the 1955-56 manual says and is more in keeping with what I recalled. The reminder about the parking brake cable is a good one although that was fresh on my mind after having just read it in another blog. However, I may not get to the rear brakes until I get the Napa number but haven't looked at the cross-reference section as I may be there.

I'm doing this with the tire off just turning the drum and not sure if the manual's instructions are with it on or off as the feel would be quite different. I suspect that the manual expects the tire to be attached. Any thoughts?

NAPA 9025, 9026. Move your orange spring to the primary (front) shoe.

Thanks Ross and will do with moving the springs. The way I put them back together was the way they were when I took it apart which was apparently wrong.

Speaking of springs, these were just about the tightest I've ever seen and nearly impossible to remove and reinstall - until I remembered that I had a special tool for doing it! Although a bit awkward for removal, it did the job and was perfect for installation.

Apparently the 9025 and 9026 cylinders require an adapter for the fitting and I would rather not go that route so I'll rebuild mine. What is the diameter for a 1954 senior model?

The several dozen pair I have used did not need an adapter--regular 3/16 brake line screwed in just fine. Has something changed?