brake problem

[rustythumb]

i've been working on brakes on my old fords for many years, but this is new to me! i bought a running,driving '36 with '46-'48 brakes a few months ago. no problems. i changed the front hoses [ just because the old ones looked old] now the tee fitting at the left front leaks badly! i've tried everything i can think of. looseing & retightening, new copper washers, new brass fitting, new bolt, doubling up washers, even putting old hose back on. still leaks. has this happened to anyone before? thanks for reading.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Unless you can pinpoint exactly where it's leaking even if I or anyone else had a leak there, everything would be just guessing.

 

[rustythumb]

leaks at one end or the other of the bolt, not at the hard lines.

 

[supereal]

Are you using DOT3 or DOT5 fluid?

 

[rustythumb]

dot 3.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

The circular serrations must be intact and clean.
The copper washers can be annealed by heating to red hot and immediately quenching in cold water. (don't worry about the discoloration just remove any loose residue)
They must be soft to work properly.

 

[rich b]

"hard" copper washers are a likely problem; old ones are "work" hardened and new ones come hard now-a-days

 

[rustythumb]

i'll give that a try, thank you.