emergency brake stuck

[methos76]

I had my 66 out for a drive and was going down the street and my brakes weren't working so I pressed on the e brake to stop. now my e brake is on and wont release, I had to eliminate vacuum to the interior and now the brake wont disengage. any ideas? vacuum was disconnected because of a vacuum leak somewhere inside and was unable to set idle or timing

[55Greg&Amy]

There is a tiny release lever on the unit but you have to really look for it

[methos76]

thank you will look

[64ZCODE]

Yup, my e brake vacuum line is permanently disconnected, no way I want a TBird deciding when to release it's emergency brake!

Another possibility, you may have (justifiably) pushed the e brake pedal so far down that's it will be difficult to release with the manual release, in which case push down on the pedal really hard with your foot while working the manual release lever and hopefully that will work.

[methos76]

any hint as to where this lever is located, side rear? I looked in my shop manual but it doesn't say

[64ZCODE]

It is shaped sort of like a big trigger of a gun and it extends toward the driver above the e brake pedal. I'll see if I can find a pic.

[64ZCODE]

Here you go. I attached the silver bolt to the release lever (the black thing) using a hose clamp to make the lever more accessible.

[methos76]

thank you got it released now I have to find out where all my brake fluid went. joy joy fun never ends with this car

[64ZCODE]

Hi methos76. These TBirds really are the gift that keeps giving, right?

If you're losing brake fluid from the master cylinder reservoir and not seeing puddles on the ground under the wheels, then the fluid is probably leaking into the brake booster. I had this happen with my '64. The brakes were spongy and I kept having to replace fluid in the reservoir, and then I discovered that there were 4-5 inches of brake fluid in the booster. You can check this by pulling the vacuum fitting off at the top of the booster and shining a light down inside.

If that's the case, then the master cylinder needs to be replaced or rebuilt. The booster is probably OK. Remove the master cylinder leaving the booster in place, suction the fluid out of the booster and rinse the inside of the booster with brake cleaner, then let it air dry, bolt on the master cylinder and you should be good to go. Worth at least trying this before going through the pain and expense of replacing the booster.

Doug

[jtschug]

brake fluid will eventually eat the rubber inside the booster.

[64ZCODE]

I suppose it's possible that the booster could be damaged by brake fluid over an extended period of time, but I wouldn't just replace the booster out of hand. A booster can be tested by pulling a vacuum on it and seeing if it maintains the vacuum.

[methos76]

thank you I have more to check.i really love the 66 bird but its really been a pain in the butt

[scumdog]

thank you got it released now I have to find out where all my brake fluid went. joy joy fun never ends with this car

Also check the brake proportioning valve, it's on the inner fender just above the steering box.

I had mine leak and due the area near the steering box being damp with old power-steering fluid I did not notice anything, it was probably only leaking when the brakes were used hence why no puddle under the car.

Then one day I had no brakes and could not see any sign of leakage near the wheel cylinders or calipers

Got the valve rebuilt and all good.

[methos76]

thank you I will have to check that out