Going to try and find some time this weekend to get this done - thanks all.

So............I had some time to mess with this today and ended up taking the valve off again this afternoon (took another brake fluid shower) because I could not remove the pressure switch while mounted in the car, regular socket was too short - pressure switch terminal poked out the top and deep socket was too long to get ratchet to work as brake lines interfered and zero room to swing a wrench of any length. Once off, the pressure switch came right out - but if I am looking at the internals correctly the piston needs to move in the bore to get the port to a spot where the centering tool will work? Does not appear to be enough room to use a pick to move it either.........what am I seeing here? Do I need to remove the nut on rear line port to push the piston to center? Somewhat hesitant to start taking things apart on a freshly rebuilt valve and create other problems.

Time to turn on the Illinois game to see if they can beat Iowa to be Co-BIG10 champs......

Thanks

OK - so some good things happening already this morning. On my way into the office I stopped by my buddies shop for some advice. He tapped the valve lightly with a dead blow hammer after shooting some compressed air into the port and the piston centered on its own. I installed the centering tool to hold it in position.

Now back to the drawing board to install the assembly for the 3rd time and bleed everything.

Progress.........hopefully

:biggthumpup:

I have brakes!

3rd times the charm I guess. Our first 70 degree day here today so worked with the garage open. The distribution valve fell into place this attempt in 15 minutes with every single line and bolt threading on the first try. Left the centering tool in place and had everything bled in 20 minutes with a good stream at all 4 corners (my wife is getting good at helping with this now). Swapped out the tool for the pressure switch with no issues. Roads are still too salty here for a test drive (plus it would take a while to get car out of its current spot in the garage) but started it up, no brake light, the brakes hold the car in gear, and feels like a decent pedal. Car is back on the ground and ready for a test drive now.

Side note and a another plug for Eric at Vintage Musclecar again, the new carb is fabulous - the car starts right up and goes to high idle and then comes down and runs smooth as it is supposed to - so nice when things actually work as they are designed.

Whoo Hoo!!

Awesome!!!! Great to hear!! Now all that’s left to do is burnouts! LOL:3gears:

YAY Jake, so glad to read you made it past this hurdle...:beers:

----Glad to hear that your car trials are over, Jake! Did you knock on wood???.....Bill S

Thanks - no knocking on wood but I did drink a virtual beer afterwards with Tim (NAPA68) in celebration. :beers: