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The unit is on its way to the being completed. As Fred mentioned the vacuum can was heavily pitted from the brake fluid leaking past into the vacuum section so that warranted a replacement of the can with a good used one that we had. With the hydraulic side all back together and the vacuum can installed we now will turn to the internal components of the vacuum side. Now when we received the BTV we did test the unit and the vacuum side did function. But upon disassembling you can see that it is very dirty from from the rusty brake fluid that leaked past the seal. So it to will be disassembled and inspected. As of now all parts look ok even the diaphragm.

Thanks
James From
Kanter Auto Products

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Interesting discussion. Thanks J.
Preservation defeats design life in a sense.
Evolution of design is not just a cost driven activity. Autos have styling/performance related design criteria, not just cost. Brakes systems are similarly challenged.
You can test the brake fluid for water or you can just change it but there's no way to evaluate the system for corrosion/deposits that way. Best to replace/rebuild/change lines/cylinders periodically based on inspection or period. I kind of figure that as just part of the job of getting one back on the road. Don't chance it. In the startup hierarchy, stop comes before go - brakes should be brought up before power. How many times have we heard that? It's more, "I couldn't stop."

Fred I Cant thank you enough for your generosity. Although it was definitely negligent in my end I will say this in my defense..LOL.. Had never had an issue with the brakes since I bought the car from my grandfather back in '04. The car has sat for probably 3-4 years, but has been started in regular basis just not driven. I rebuilt the starter about 1 months ago once it was replaced I went to drive the car and the brakes went to the floor?? Never had an issue before and stood on the brake pedal many times. Actually never gave it a second thought that it would do what it did. Have learned a lot of informative info through your analysis and the pics looking foward to the reinstall.. Again thanks so much...
FYI. My '54 pacific will probably be up for sale before the end of the year if anyone knows someone interested..

Craig said:
"The problem with the BTV seems exacerbated when Packards are driven relatively often all year. That is my useage pattern as well as Keith's (PackardV8)."

Comment: A poorly/incorrectly rebuilt unit will fail pretty soon. That's my guess with your 3 early failures.
There are some rebuilders who butcher the units and eliminate certain designed safety features.

COUNTERPOINT

When BTV equipped vehicles were new virtually all of them were used very often and there are no documented problems resulting in service letters/ warnings.

Most collector cars are used infrequently nowadays and often stored/inactive for many years at a time. During the periods of inactivity the DOT 3 brake fluid absorbs moisture leading to unit failure as in subject unit. Back in the day service stations/garages used to check all systems perodically, many owners today drive their cars until something breaks/malfunctions

It is INACTIVITY that leads to failure, not constant activity as you and Keith have, in my opinion/experience.

We had a good idea of what we would find in any failed BTV submitted to us for the free rebuild, no surprises here. As I've said, we've done 200 units.

Fred/James Kanter:

I have zero problem with you guys doing a quality rebuild on a BTV and any Packard owner who buys one and swaps it out.

OTOH, my Master Power Brake conversion on my 55 Pat has been there for over a decade and is absolutely reliable. As far as I know Keith's Honda conversion has had the same result.

As I said early on "You pay your money and you take your chances." It's your car and your life.

Craig

Likewise we've had no failures with our BTV equipped Packards.

We "paid" much less and have the same results you guys did.

Mr. Kanter,
Please tell us more about the DuraGlass product to repair the bore pits.
By the way, I have overhauled a BTV unit in a '56 Mercury with a modified Y-block 312 engine. With regular maintenance, it performs as should.
People forget that these old girls need constant attention and feeding.
Thank you,
Tom

Duraglas is a high quality general purpose body filler. We use it in our restoration shop with great success. JUst as it will fill irregularities in body surfaces it fills the deep pits in vacuum canisters of BTV's. It's easy to work with and easy to sand.

https://www.amazon.com/US-Chemical-24035-DURAGLASS-QT/dp/B0082LF7B6

On the "care and feeding" of BTV's , it's no more than any other brake system. Keep the fluid topped up, watch for unusual loss of fluid, change it every 5 years especially if in a damp area.

Common sense prevails.

The unit is done and ready to go back to the customer. We wrapped up this rebuild with the testing of both the vacuum and hydraulic side of the Bendix Treadle Vac Unit. Now on this particular unit. It is equipped with a slide type valve and according to our books. Once the vacuum is turn off to the unit it should not leak down / drop on the gauge more than 5 inch pound in 15 seconds. Below is a video of the testing if the vacuum side as well as the hydraulic side.

Thanks
James From
Kanter Auto Products
1-800-526-1096



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