Brat Brakes Bamboozled

[VABrat]

OK. My 85 Brat which I love--first new car I ever bought--has been wasting away in my driveway. It's been sitting for 3 years, and I've made the decision to sell it. My dream was to restore this car to pristine, but I dont have the tools, facilities to make this dream come true. I'd really love for the person who buys it, to be able to drive it--but I cant get any pressure in the hydaulic system for the brakes. Here's what I've done so far:

 

Replaced the Master Cylinder. Tried to bleed the brake lines--starting at the right rear wheel. Opened the bleed valve, pumped the pedal--Nada. No pressure, No fluid.

 

Got a vacuum bleed tool from the parts store (loaner tool) Hooked it up to the same wheel and pulled out some nasty brown fluid, and lots of air bubbles. Fluid went to clear (after filling the reservoir several times) but still bubbles and air in the system.

 

I haven't been able to detect a fluid leak from any of the calipers or wheel cylinders--could the pressure leak be present without any presence of leaking fluid?

 

Where should I go from here?

 

Thanks for your help, and the Brat is still for sale!

[MilesFox]

you may have to prime the MC bafore connecting the brake lines at the mc. beel the mc at the lines that go to it first, then connect everything and go from there

 

the ea81 mc should have bleeders on the mc itself

[VABrat]

Thanks. Worth a try. I guess it's possible that the MC is defective, too--I installed a rebuilt unit last fall, and I remember rounding off the line fittings when I removed the old one. But you would think I'd see brake fluid coming from the lines where they come into the MC. I'm going to get into this seriously tomorrow morning--need some good subie vibes.