Rebuilding Riley 1.5 Wheel Cylinders

[alex_holden]

Drilling the new backplate bolt holes is probably less than 5% of the work involved in making the bigger Lockheed cylinders fit the Riley brakes. The mounting point on the backplate needs cutting out and offsetting further inwards, the pivot slots on the cylinders need milling to a different profile, the ends of the pistons need an extra piece with a slot in it adding on, and the shoes need to be reprofiled (shortened) on both ends to account for the extra cylinder length. You then wouldn't be able to send the modified shoes for exchange when the linings wear out, and when the cylinders need replacing you will have to modify the replacements in the same way.

If you've got a well equipped machine shop and several days to spend on the project, I'm sure it would be possible, but it would be much quicker and easier (and safer) to use the correct Girling slave cylinders and make up for the high pedal pressure by fitting a servo.

[bmcecosse]

Well - if it really needs all that work - but I'm sure I could 'short-cut' it somewhat! Don't worry about the shoes - they will never wear out in your lifetime. they are huge and only have a wee light car to stop from relatively low speeds. My latest set of (narrower) W shoes are scarely run in after 200 hard driven miles at the week-end. Must look out for a set of these Riley brakes locally! You've made them sound so attractive now - they will be going for pennies!