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Tips
Tips

Tips on rebuilding E-Type power brake master/slave

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billca

Senior Member
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I'm getting ready to rebuild the master and slave cylinders for my '67 E-Type. I have the factory manual. Does anyone have any tips on this task? I'm especially interested in how others have disassembled the power brake booster. The manual mentions the special tools but has no pictures.

billca
 
You can buy kits from the usual suspects (Terry's Jaguar, XKs Unlimited, SNG Barrett, etc) for all the ruber bits and springs, etc. The important think is make certain that the bores are not pitted at all! I have mine all apart now and plan to send them to Sierra Restorations in California. They will reline your masters and slaves in brass. I had them do my caliper pods and they came out great!

Basil
 
Basil,
Thanks for the reply.
I have the rebuild kits and will install them in a week or so, unless I also need to have the cylinders sleeved. (I also had my wheel cylinders relined with brass.)

Did you have any particular problems dismantling the power booster unit? I'm thinking about using some 2X4s to hold the shell while I turn the back piece with a slab of plywood attached using the three mounting studs.

I would also like to test the booster unit without having to start the engine to generate the necessary vacuum. The car is in my shop, on jackstands, and I don't care for carbon monoxide in the shop. Any tips for generating the vacuum?

My car also had a one gallon plastic overflow reservoir for the radiator nestled between the brake reservoir heatshield and the framework of the car. It worked nicely but surely isn't stock. For one thing, it was not attached to anything! Do you know if this is a common modification? I'll probably reuse it since overheating is a potential problem here in Reno in the summer.

billca
 
If you have never overhauled the power booster unit, I would recommend that you send it to Apple Hydraulics. They do a great job for a reasonable cost. What is at risk is going through all the take off and reinstall more than once.
 
Jack,
Your advice is of course very good. However, it would mean I wouldn't learn much and would have nothing to talk about at the local British car club meeting. On the otherhand, I might be able to stop the car if I drive to the meeting!

I still hope someone can pass along a few tips on disassembling and reassembling the booster/slave cylinder unit.

billca
 
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