g741.org

I just bought a 53 M42 that has been in a barn for the past 6 years since the prior owner died. Was running, has been kept inside for most of it's life. Very straight, seems to be 99% there. Has no brakes. Should I get a kit of all new lines, cylinders, hoses and master cylinder or try rebuilding some of the existing parts?

If you have the coin, buy new.

If you need the therapy, rebuild.

New hoses in any case.

PoW

x2 on the lines and sometimes stainless braided is cheaper than stock rubber.

can we see some pics ?

Congratulations!
Seems the normal state for unused M37's is "runs well, no brakes"...
The kits are nice and you're unlikely to have to deal with rebuilt cylinders that were a bit too pitted to seal up properly. When I pulled mine apart most of the parts removed were too far gone to make rebuilding feasible. I'd start putting some nut buster on all of your fittings now while you're sorting out parts and post some photos .

Andy

Thanks for the input. I have ordered a complete kit from Midwest Military along with upholstery. After seeing how brittle the wiring is, I guess a harness is next.
Not a techie, how do you post pictures?

I load pictures to a free site, postimage, at

https://postimages.org

then once they are in my "library", then you can click on the picture you want, and it gives you about six choices, for thumbnails, or "hotlines for forums", highlight it, then click to save and then go to omg or url above, and click it, and then load your picture there.

on my MAC. I use command/c to move the picture to my forum reply, click omg or URL and then command /V to put the picture in my post, and then I like to check to see if it worked by clicking preview below, then submit.

hal

Welcome aboard, BThomas! Feel free to post your questions here-you'll be amazed at the levels of expertise here to help you along!
Please add your location to your profile so we know where to refer you for your parts needs, etc.
Thanks!
Gary

How do I get to my profile to make changes?

Now that you have made your third post the site restrictions have been lifted.

You can make changes to your profile, above to the left in the User Control Panel

Bert