[DanEC]

Speed bleeders were my ultimate solution (ERAChase was right I'm afraid) because one of the GM front calipers had such worn out threads on the bleeder port that I couldn't keep it from sucking air back in with either reverse pressure or vacuum bleeding. It would have bleed OK if I had had someone pump the pedal and hold while I opened and closed the bleeder port - but I stumbled across Dorman speed bleeders at Pepboys and it was easier picking them up than scheduling a time with my wife to assist with the bleeding effort. Except for the worn out caliper issue they would not have been necessary.

Bleeding the uninstalled slave cylinder shouldn't be a problem - may even be easier since you can hold it up high with the bleeder at the top and get the air out easily. As the manual suggests, just slight movement of the clutch bellcrank by hand will pass enough fluid to get the air out.