Master Cylinder misery

[dave36]

finally gave up the ghost today, so off to my last (local) help - GS Autofactors of Street. the man is a marvel, on the outside a modern factor, BUT out the back the stuff his founder father never sold or threw away! its a real alladins cave, though today the part I needed could not be matched exactly.
Why did ford use so many bloody master cylinders? grrrrrrrrrr
My one is the dual sort with 2 connections engine side and one front under - the whole thing is horizontal. with a "19" stamped on the front top of the casting.
So another cylinder known to have 19mm innards and with the connections exactly the same but on opposing sides was (allmost) given to me, the old one was stripped cleaned and the innards from the new one compared - exactly alike other than an extra seal on the old one, which looks to have no purpose other than to help prevent dirt entering from the push rod end. So the whole lot is reassembled and back in the Jeep, tomorrow being another day I decided to wait for advice and recovery before connecting the pipes. -


-To be honest after reistalling the modded pushrod and that damned circlip I am totally knackered!

So on the AM I intend to attempt the connections, bleeding and testing. Or will someone put me off?
One thing would be handy though anyone have a part number for me? while I am under the Jeep I would like to replace the output oil seal on the gearbox - a normal (is there any such thing?) 4 speed married to a 1300 xflow.

[drseg]

maybe a lhd master cyl?
best advice ive got for gear boxs is to phone a reconditioner they usually have the neccesary parts books
touch wood my seized one i stole off tonka still works!! feels funny occasionally but use seems to have made it better
are yours the type with the forwardmost piston held in with a pin under the resevoir??
doesnt look like a pin but it pulls out to release front piston

[dave36]

the replacement cylinder has the pin, my old one has a bolt through the base, hope i reassembled it correctly? - that is assembly followed by the bolt, did wonder if the piston should have been pushed right forward first!!

[drseg]

both ones ive played with have 2 pistons in the same cylinder to get pin back in "front" piston spring has to be compressed or pin wont go back in - i suspect that may be same with bolt type but dont KNOW for sure
good luck M8

[dave36]

back again - one of the unions has stripped - NO IT WAS NOT CROSS THREADED! - I have a replacement but is there a DIY way to achieve the reverse flare??
ZERO 7968823 SEVEN ONE 9

[drseg]

not without a flaring tool
sadly youre a bit far away
best bet is carspares shop that makes brake pipes or perhaps a sunday opening garage?
any car shows your way or car boots or even a machine mArt some open sunday round here
they aint dear to buy under 20 quid
or monday


>> Edited by drseg on Sunday 21st August 11:45

[dave36]

stuffed is all I can say, the rebuilt master cylinder is no good, replaced the messed up joint, relocated the piston (past the stop) and no pedal at all, can only think that the seals are wrong type even though they looked ok. looking into the resovoir I can see the oil pumping back OUT of the forward hole! so something is not lining up.
So after a weekend full of cursing and swearing I still need a replacement cylinder or a proper seal kit as a last ditch remedy - my last part search came up empty, presumably due to there being so many types of cylinder fitted to escorts

[dave36]

time to beg, plead, grovel!
at my wits end, trolled through hundreds of listings for brake master cylinders and not been able to identify mine - it is not amongst any of the ones listed for the mk1 or mk2 escort, so I'm running out of options. I'll post the description I've sent to every supplier I can find below:

Ford Escort Mk 2 based kit car donor is 1300 xflow. Master cylinder wanted, perhaps 19mm (19 is only marking on casting) non servo.
connections 2 on engine side 1 under front side connection. orientation horizontal with rectangular resovoir, level switch in cap. flange for fitting is paralel to outlets on side, overall length from flange about 8 inches. pistons fitted with 5 angled seals
requirement is for new or recon master cylinder or seal kit
thankyou

So I'm stuffed - need to think about fitting another master cylinder - any suggestions?

[jon4648]

Just a thought Dave, are you sure what you have is an ex-Escort Master Cylinder? Maybe it is one of the replacements specifically made for kit cars of the type sold by Europa and other parts suppliers.

[dave36]

thanks for that, have had a good look around and no luck. the tank does have the ford logo though

[Adythewindow]

Have you tried www.brakepartsonline.co.uk ?

[drseg]

try assemble cyl you bought and bend pipes to fit
worth a try
see unfinished jago on ebay thread seller is selling for a friend may have a master cyl


>> Edited by drseg on Tuesday 23 August 12:09

[dave36]

thought about using the other cylinder but the pushrod end is too big to pass through the pedal box, and I think it was perhaps indended for a servo as there is a plasic ring where the circlip should be.
have left a message with the guy on ebay
thanks