brake problems

[Mags]

I have put a 1300 engine in a 1 litre shell. I have used the 1300 brake master servo, ive used all new copper lines, stainless steel flexies and ive used bigger callipers and disks up front. On the back ive used new shoes and rear brake cylinders. Bled the brakes 3 times with new fluid only getting half a pedal, seems to be ok when you pump it but then when you let it go and then press it again its still no better. Can anyone help!

[Adam]

Are the front calipers on the right way round? Bleed nipples at the top

[Mags]

yes mate

[Mags]

is there a diffrence between the 1300 and the 1 litre bar that goes behind the dash that pushes out the piston that goes into the servo?

[mowgli]

there isn't anything different between the 1.0 & 1.3 braking systems..

adjusting the rear shoes correctly is important. did you grind any wear lips off the drums when assembling it?? also the handbrake assembly can be badly adjusted causing poor pedal pressure.

[Mags]

Hand brake is adjusted fine and wear lips on the drum sorted. If I pump the pedal a bit then I get a good pedal then when I let it off then press again I get nothing. It works the front callipers fine but not the back drums

[mowgli]

does the car still have dual circuit brakes? if the fronts work & the rears don't then there is a fundamental fault with the brakes.. the front left & back right should work on the same circuit & vice versa. there might be a fault with the master cylinder too. was it new or recon?

[Mags]

it was the one off the 1300 and it was ok when then

[mowgli]

you used a 23 year old master cylinder & wonder why it doesn't work too well.....

you can get new ones off ebay for about £20 plus post..

these nova brake circuits are notoriously bad for bleeding, are you pressure bleeding them?

[Mags]

yes pressure bled is that a new master cylinder on ebay

[mowgli]

yes.

[Mags]

ok thanks for the help mate most appriciated

[craig green]

I've said this recently, but check the pad retaining springs on the fr calipers are installed properly. I suffered this on some V6 calipers & got similar symptoms. The pedal would pump up but instantly lose its feel & the pedal would sink to the floor.

Maybe get a pic of the pad springs properly installed to compare.