Alternative master cylinders?

[Mark Wilson]

Last year Phil made an interesting suggestion that instead of adapting standard master cylinders to accept remote reservoirs it would be a good idea to change to an m/c which had the input pipe fitting in place.

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... r+cylinder

I'm rather attracted to this idea, as I'm fitting a totally new braking system anyway, want a remote as I don't want to lift and dirty my new carpets more than necessary, and will be fitting a servo (I know, but I've got dodgy knees...)

One question has occurred to me though. I'm fitting Wolseley brakes, not discs. When disks are fitted the advice is always to remove the top hat seal, but the alternative cylinders Phil suggested are presumably made for disc brakes and won't have a top hat seal or similar. Does this make them unsuitable for drum brakes?

Mark

[bmcecosse]

I don't think it will matter - but the W brakes are actually lighter in operation than standard brakes (as long as you use decent shoes) - so you probably won't need a servo !

[Mark Wilson]

Thanks Roy, that's an interesting point. How would they compare with a modern, servo equipped car?

[bmcecosse]

Well it depends -many moderns are way over-servoed. So obviously not going to be that good. Are you also fitting W rear brakes?

[Mark Wilson]

Thanks, may pursue the servo plan as it may persuade Mrs W the car is safer if it feels more like her modern. If I could find the rears I would, but haven't seen any for a long time.

[bmcecosse]

I sold a set on here a few weeks ago.... The other point is - that the reason a remote res is usually used with discs is because the pistons move in as the pad wears - taking fluid with them. Of course that doesn't happen with drum brakes - since the cylinder pistons always return 'home' - and then you adjust up the brakes - which is unlikely to be more than once a year! So your fluid should not go down (unless there are 'leaks') and so you will rarely need to check the level.