Reconnecting brake lines after 5 years ?

[Geekay]

The previous owner (PO) of the 55 Dodge suburban ambulance had disconected the brake lines from the backing plates, front and rear.

He did this whilst replacing the rubber lines to the front wheels.

I now have to decide what i will do.

Will I just hook up the lines, add fluid, bleed them and see what happens?

Have taken off the drums and externally all looks okay, but?

The car spent 20 years in an army museum as a static display (but where they restored the body, painted it etc).

The PO owner had it in his garage for the next 10 years, just doing small bits to it. So it has not been out in the weather.

What are the chances the master cylinder and the individual wheel brake pistons will work?

[Plymouthy Adams]

I would venture to say that you in for a rebuild of the cylinders if not a purchase of new ones and or sleeved......5 years open to moisture laden air is going to take its toll IF the PO did not cap the cylinder holes with a plug..

[Dodgeb4ya]

They will leak and hang up for sure!

[ggdad1951]

What they said...definitely moisture intrusion issues!

[Geekay]

Thanks...message received.

Fortunately I have a similar 53 Fargo that I had the complete brake system reconditioned last year. As it needs a lot of work done on the body before it is ready for registration I will check out the compatibility for a swap over.

The wheels/brakes/drums should be very similar (famous last words?.)

Although I already know the master cylinder is different.The Dodge ambo has a seperate fluid reservoir in the engine bay.

[Geekay]

The Dodge brake set is different to the Fargo, so swapping is not a practical option.

[Dodgeb4ya]

The upper rear brake set pic looks like Old 70's Datsun truck brakes I used to rebuild!

[Geekay]

I was quite surprised at how different they are. Even the way the wheel hub stays on with the Dodge axle.

I was tapping away at the dodge brake drum for a while before I realised it has a counter sunk screw that holds it in place.

With two pistons, the Fargo looks a better brake system - have started a new post about this.