So here's my story. I bought a 1990 f250 with the 5.0 and a 5 spd.(I believe it's the ZF, correct me if I'm wrong) from a guy. I knew it needed a clutch. "That's simple enough", I thought to myself. Boy, was I WRONG!!! I replaced the clutch, and took a few extra steps(replaced the flywheel and slave cylinder). The clutch line was bad so I replaced that. Than I spent the last 2 weeks on and off trying to get the system to bleed out. I tried every method possible:
-Pump it multiple times
-Pump it one at a time
-Left the bleeder open for like 3 days
-Hooked vac. bleeder to line up top, and opened bleeder with a hose going from the bleeder to the bottle of fluid
-Tried same method but in reverse
-Put vac. bleeder on SC bleeder and tried to pull fluid from MC
-Used Pressure bleeder to pump fluid up from the bleeder into the MC
-Used Pres. BLeeder to pump fluid through line with line unhooked from MC
The Only method that showed any sign of "hope" was when I hooked the pressure bleeder up to the SC bleeder and left the line hooked up to the MC. All that did was pressureize the line. When I started the truck I couldn't shift it into any gear and I started to lose my pedal. I unhooked the line from MC, put the Pres. Bleeder on the SC bleeder and when I got good fluid coming out of line up top, and no air. I hooked it back up to MC, still no luck. So I've come to the conclusion that I def. need a new MC.
I just wanted everyones oppinion as to if that seems logical. I know these systems are a PIA. But, I know for a fact there was no more air in the line/SC. So the only thing I can think is that the MC is not putting any pressure into the line.
Just thought I'd share my learnings with everyone, and if anyone has any other ideas/suggestions, please feel free. Because if I go and buy a MC, and still have the same problem, I am gonna be MAJORILY PO.
Another reason I feel the MC might be bad is that when we initial started the whole thing, the fluid in the MC looked like a yellow/creamy kind of color, and the rubber boot hooked to the cap was swollen up. So I'm thinking somebody put the wrong kind of fluid in and now my O-rings are shot.
Sorry this is so long.

 

A pity your bleeding choices didn`t work out. If all systems are OK it should not be that difficult. You have everything new except the master cylinder so I would go for that. If you do get a new one make sure you bench bleed it. Good luck with it.

 

Now, I have heard two diff. ways of installing the master cylinder. One was is like you said, bench bleed, I think. THey said to fill it up with fluid, and plug the end where the line hooks on, than work the rod in and out until it has so much pressure that you can't work the rod anymore. THe other way was to install the MC, than fill it up and leave the pedal pushed down, until you get a good flow of fluid coming out the outlet, and than hook up the line.
What do you think is probably the best method for installing the new MC?

 

i bled the clutch in my truck this way. go to top of FTE homepage, click on articles/specs, click on list articles, click on transmission/axle, scroll down to bleeding a concentric hydraulic clutch set up. i did it this way and never had a another problem with it. good luck.

 

I don't understand this.
With the pedal depressed the front piston seal is beyond the reservoir port.
If it wasn't, how would you develop pressure in the system?

Perhaps they meant:
"pump the pedal until there's a good flow, then leave the pedal depressed so all the fluid doesn't run out, while you hook up the line."?

 

I'm not really sure what they meant. I got it all done though. Replaced the MC and bench bled it. Hooked up the line, pumped it a few times, cracked the bleeder and got a couple air pockets. Pumped it and bled it a couple more times. All is good in my little world of HC(Hydraulic Clutch)

 

Good man. Glad you got it sorted.