Soooo close

Everything in place (except that truant brake cable, more on that in a minute.) and I got boned,,,

The three hard lines running from the ABS pump to the rest of the system, CHEESED!. right above the frame. ALL THREE!!! I had replaced the KNOWN bad line, and that wasn’t too hateful (Warning Will Robinson, Warning!!) and went to the rear to bleed the lines (pass rear, ds rear, pass front, Ds front: that order was what I was taught) Vacuum bleeder is suckin atmo,,, some fluid came through, really dark stuff (which was good to see actually, not that milky crap I was getting in the Clutch system.) but I could not build any vacuum,

Ok, fall back and punt, look underneath while I get Da to pump the brake good and slow. That shit was SPRAYING all over the exhaust manifold. I went to disable one line at a time to see which it was, and the whole ‘tree’ broke off in my hand. Better now than later down the road when stopping would be critical and not doable. (THOUGH>>>>>)

Brake cable,,,, Yup, I wanna replace that one that is showing its guts, but surprisingly, it WORKS. I was able to engage the P-brake after I got all the wheels on the ground and BOTH rear tires are in “STAY” mode. (thanks to brudda B for that cute illustration. Right to left peddles. “Go!” “Stop” “Clutch” and “Stay”) New shoes and springs, and everything moves the way it should, and I did the adjustment of the shoes so they ‘just’ dragged as I turned the drum. Good tight P-brake without having to cram it to the firewall.

Since I was grubby and damp (my prediction was TRUE) and had been laying in a puddle of brake fluid at one point (GROSS!!!) I came home, took the clothes I was wearing and dumped them in a 5 gallon bucket of scalding hot water and lye soap. Then ME into the shower. Those clothes get washed tomorrow during domestics, but I couldn’t stomach driving Buffalo around looking and feeling like I did. Soon as I hit publish on this, I’ma headed to go get those solid lines and I’ll do my thing TOMORROW,,, (and gonna get some danged hand cleaner this time,,,,)

I haven’t even looked at the exhaust pipe yet. Thats gonna need some fabrication done (sure do wish I had access to a TIG, but I can make do with MIG.) as there is one that needs a bend in it to make it work. Not much, but enough that a straight shot is not doable.

Assuming things go well tomorrow with the solid lines (Fingers crossed, toes crossed, and Anal retentive mode engaged) I’ll cut the exhaust pipe and make the fit-up/make notes I need to do the welding-fab. I have a pipe expander, but not a pipe shrinker, so if I need to ‘reduce’ its gonna be even more cutting/welding involved. (I seem to recall the factory pipe is NOT exactly 3″ OD. but that can be to my benefit as well. Use the expander on it to make it a slip fit to the new pipe.)

See? How can I worry about the Poly-Tick-ians when I am shoulder deep in a ‘Hicle Rebuild? I’m too bizzy!!!

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