Brake Master Cylinder

[ihouston]

I have a 1982 280i Tasmin - am I right in thinking the Brake Master Cylinder came from a Cortina MK4 or was it from another vehicle - can anyone point me in the right direction on this.
Cheers
Ian

[shpub]

Or a TR7. Need to be very careful as about 7 different master cylinders have been used so chcek and double check and don't assume anything. Bolt orientation, number and size of outlet ports are the main varients.

[350zwelgje]

On early wedges it could be ford capri as well, and probably you best bet I would guess. Am I right Steve?

Take the master cylinder to a good parts specialist, perhaps they can come up with the right answer in no time. I personally had some issues with my '87 350i and even the friendly specialist couldn't provide me with the right overhaul kit/parts after 3 months of searching/pestering? them. So Steve is right and even if you know it is cortina (in my case) you sometimes can't get the parts (Belgium where I live or UK). Ended up buying a complete new ford cortina master cylinder from a friendly wedge owner and parts enthousiast in Holland...

Rob

[tempus]

If you are lucky it will have a plastic tag round it,cyl.can be identified from the numbers and colour,repair kits are an easier route than cyls.if no identification.Tempus

[Dave Meredith]

I have an '85 TVR350 and noted down the number cast into the master cylinder housing. Armed with this info I have been quoted £125 plus vat for a replacement cylinder. I've also been able to source a seal kit from the same supplier for £18 plus vat. I must admit I didn't realise that the plastic ring around the body would have the part number on it as well so I will check that

I am about to start this job. I'm hoping that the seal kit is the correct one but I wont know for sure until I have the thing in bits

[rev-erend]

Be very careful .. look out for Canadiens with shotguns..

It's Seal cull season ..

[eesbad]

rev-erend said:

Be very careful .. look out for Canadiens with shotguns..

It's Seal cull season ..

First Gandalf's Lada gag then this!! Is it bad joke season??? Or do Wedges eventually have that effect on you?

[ihouston]

I do not think the plastic ring around the unit has the same number as will be found on the body - I was asked for the plastic tag number when trying to source a kit - I think it is different.
I have seen replacement cylinders with TVR specialist parts suppliers and they have been asking around the £125 mark - but you can get new Ford Master Cylinders for under £40 - just a case of knowing what the part is for sure in my case before I invest.
Thanks for the replies
Ian

[350zwelgje]

I tried sourcing an overhaul kit in Belgium (not everyone lives in the UK - would become a bit crowed then), and thought that the part numbers (plastic ring and casting of cylinder) would give me an economic solution: got parts (overhaul kits first) and they were all wrong, got complete cylinders also wrong. A part supplier ordered even some other stuff as it could be ok, unfortunately not.... There is a website (UK older/fords etc. part supplier) that is listing some interesting stuff, but if trying to order what I need, it then says out of stock.
If you find an overhaul kit, please let me know as I would like to overhaul my old master cylinder.

Good luck hunting.

Rob

[ihouston]

Rob,
I did get a kit for mine from a company called Power Track Brakes - they are Girling specialists they claim. I gave them the number on my Master Cylinder as the plastic tag had been removed - they like to have the tag number though - they supplied a kit that did the job for about £20.
The website for these guys is www.powertrackbrakes.co.uk might worth giving them a try - based in the UK of course - sorry about that !!!
I am going to try a site on EBAY that does old Ford parts but new stock as he has a MK4/5 Cortina Master Cylinder for around £36 - it looks like it will fit - as mine has 3 outlets in the same position and it will be 10mm fittings as mine is being Ford and at £36 it is not big money if it does not fit - can always stick it back on Ebay.
Cheers
Ian

[Grady]

Another alternative is to have your existing unit rebuild. Not as cheap as a DIY gasket kit but cheaper than a (it might not fit) new part. It was successful and I got back what I sent in. But grind an ID in the one you send in to be on the safe side. (I used Apple Hydraulics over here) Grady

Edited by Grady on Friday 28th March 14:35

[tempus]

The plastic tag is the definative identifier,but you need the colour as well,the number on the casting is purely a casting no. a gives no clues as to bore size or seal type,any motor factor should be able to sort it for you from a tag colour and number,or post it and i will.Tempus

[350zwelgje]

ihouston said:

Rob,
I did get a kit for mine from a company called Power Track Brakes - they are Girling specialists they claim. I gave them the number on my Master Cylinder as the plastic tag had been removed - they like to have the tag number though - they supplied a kit that did the job for about £20.
The website for these guys is www.powertrackbrakes.co.uk might worth giving them a try - based in the UK of course - sorry about that !!!
I am going to try a site on EBAY that does old Ford parts but new stock as he has a MK4/5 Cortina Master Cylinder for around £36 - it looks like it will fit - as mine has 3 outlets in the same position and it will be 10mm fittings as mine is being Ford and at £36 it is not big money if it does not fit - can always stick it back on Ebay.
Cheers
Ian

Thanks for the tip, didn't know this one yet. See if I can order an overhaul kit (as the bore is perfect and only the first seal closest to the entry is worn....

Rob

[Dave Meredith]

Just removed my master cylinder from the car. I've removed the piston nearest the pedal without any trouble -it just fell out!
The seals must be a bit tired!
The front piston will not budge. I've tried a wooden stick with a sucker on the end and despite getting a good grip it doesn't want to come out. Unless anyone on here has a better idea I'm going to have to take it to my local garage and ask them to blow it out with compressed air!

[tempus]

There may be a retaining pin in it,remove reservoir,turn cyl. upside down and pin should fall out,piston should then be removable.Tempus

[Toltec]

Master cylinder has died in our 400 too, the car has not been used for a month or so while another issue was sorted and we found the reservoir empty. Looks like the fluid has leaked out of the rear seal down the front of the servo and pooled around the battery, it does not seem to have eaten the finish off the bodywork though which is something.

There is no plastic tag on the cylinder so by the sound of it this is going to be a hunt the part job. Oh joy.

[ihouston]

Chris - try Power Track on the link I mentioned above they found my kit without the plastic tag and it did the job for me - give the number from the cylinder casting , rough age of the vehicle and I am sure they will sort you out.
Cheers
Ian

[Toltec]

ihouston said:

Chris - try Power Track on the link I mentioned above they found my kit without the plastic tag and it did the job for me - give the number from the cylinder casting , rough age of the vehicle and I am sure they will sort you out.
Cheers
Ian

Must be blind, there is a tag on there, well it was getting late when I took it off. Should make the job easier, I will give Powertrack a go thanks Ian.

[Dave Meredith]

"There may be a retaining pin in it,remove reservoir,turn cyl. upside down and pin should fall out,piston should then be removable.Tempus"

Thanks Tempus! Couldn't see a pin but it was underneath the reservoir seal. Once I removed the seal I was able to remove the pin and the remaining piston came out quite easily

I have also spoken to Powertrack and they didn't need the code on the plastic strip. He did identify from the code on the strip that it was for a TVR but thinks that this enabled Girling to charge more to TVR owners

Seal kit arriving any day now from Powertrack - will keep you posted

[Dave Meredith]

Seal kit has arrived from Powertrack. Seals fit fine.

For the record my master cylinder has "Girling 74660294" cast into the body.
The seal kit part number is PT7675R available from Powertrack. Fits a cylinder bore of 13/16 inch.

Next day delivery so Wedge will be braking again soon