Looking for instructions/advice on how to bleed the air from my 69 power top hydraulic system. I have the rear seat out and can see lots of air pockets in various parts of the lines. The top goes up and down fine, but will not stay partially raised for too long before settling back down, one side somewhat before the other. No leaks of fluid evident anywhere and fluid in the lines appears red like Dexron fluid (as I believe it should).

First of all, should I even bother to worry about the air in the lines?




Th

From the Fisher Body manual:

http://thefirstgensite.com/library/68fisherbody/13_FoldingTop.pdf

This priming operation is necessary prior to
performing the following steps in order to
avoid drawing excessive amount of air into
hydraulic system.
4. Install filler plug adapter to reservoir and at
tach four or five foot length 5/32 inch I.D.
rubber tubing or hose to filler plug tubing.
5. Install opposite end of hose into a container of
Type "A" transmission fluid.
NOTE: Container should be placed in rear
compartment area on "A" bodies and rear floor
pan on "B-C & F" bodies, below level of fluid
in the reservoir. In addition, sufficient fluid
must be available in container to avoid drawing
air into hydraulic system.
6. Operate top to down or stacked position. After
top is fully lowered continue to operate motor
and pump assembly approximately 15 to 20
seconds, or until noise level of pump is no
ticeably reduced. Reduction in pump noise
level indicates that hydraulic system is filled
with fluid.
7. Operate top up and down several times or until
operation of top is consistently smooth in both
up and down cycles and no further air bubbles
are exhausted in container or fluid.
8. With top in down position, remove filler plug
tubing and remove filler plug adapter from
reservoir.
9. Check level of fluid in reservoir and re-install
original filler hole plug.
NOTE: Fluid level should be within 1/4 inch
of lower edge of filler plug with top in down
position.
CAUTION: DO NOT OVER-FILL.

Thank you for the above Vikki.

When I put new seals in my actuators I was very careful to get all the air out. Actually filled the actuators, installed them in the fully extended condition and purged all the air out of the lines before connecting, etc. You know what, after a while, I find air pockets throughout. My opinion, if it goes up smooth and evenly, I wouldn't worry about the air.

I could not get all the air out also, you'll get most of it out... Make sure they go up and down evenly and you good to go...

Thanks for the information and the PDF Vicky!