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Corroded Master Cylinder

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mylesw

Jedi Hopeful
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Hello

The brake and clutch master cylinder from my TR4 are corroded from sitting around too long with leaking brake fluid (see pic). Is there anything I can do to restore them or will I have to buy new ones? I would prefer to keep the existing if poss. Thanks for your help.

Myles
 

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Myles-

I think places like Apple Hydraulics will restore and sleeve these for you. I don't have personal experience with them though. One thing, though, is that my guess is the restoration will cost as much as replacement master cylinders if you need to resleeve.

Just curious - with reasonable Lucas Girling mc's available (example https://www.bpnorthwest.com), why the interest in the original?

Also, just remembered that you might be converting this to RHD - is the clutch mc hookup different? I remember the fittings looked different.

Regards,
Randy
 
the new girling ones probably have a plastic top. the last two I purchased did.
 
Try cleaning up the bores a bit and see how pitted they are. If they are still reasonably smooth, you may be able to get by with just beading the exterior.

The original MCs on my 56 looked about that bad, but they cleaned up real well. And I don't want to buy new ones because new ones have different fittings at different angles, and I think the adapters look stupid.
 
The Master Cylinder on my 4 looked similar to yours. I cleaned it up and painted it, then rebuilt it and it looks and works great. The rebuild kit is low cost so I say why not try that route. Do check the sleeve to see if you have corrosion in there. If so, you will need to have it resleeved.
 
If you need a re-sleve there are several companys that will accomodate you. {I had apple do my dual master/clutch cylinder for my 56 Tr-3} thier work {as far as I can see} is impecable! The turn around time was excellent! Thier pricing was within the same range as other venders. I am happy with the end result.
As suggested above check the bore for pitting. If the bore is acceptable, bead blast the exterior and rebuild it yourself. {Much cheaper}
In my case the cost of a replacement M/C/ was/is cost prohibitive plus the fact that the replacement as mentioned above, does not conform to the O.E.M. configuration {although it will work}. So myself wanting to stay as O.E.M. as possible choose for a resleeve. For this particular M/C the resleeve was less than half the cost of a repro.
 
Myles:
Keep us posted with your decision and out come. My clutch master looks about as good as the one in your picture. It works with a rebuild and does not leak but 4 or 5 months of no use the reservoir will likely be empty.
 
It has to be going somewhere. I don't think it evaporates that quickly.
 
All

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm keen to keep the original m/c if poss for a couple of reasons (1) the repro parts sometimes aren't as good quality as the originals and (2) because my rebuild is starting to cost me a small fortune! I'll have a look at the bore and see where to go from there...

Thanks

Myles
 
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