Wrong master cylinder - should I worry?

[RaeRae1]

I just got a new master cylinder for my 69 Cougar. It is not an exact match. The lower hose connection is in a different spot. Should I be concerned about this or should I just deal with it, bend the hose and get a coupler? (the hole and the fitting are not the same size so I would have to get a connector/coupling). I don't think this should have any bearing on the efficacy of the system but wanted to check with some of you and see what your thoughts were.

Thanks!

[maxwedge]

Correct on the hook up, your concern is the bore diameter, it should never be less than the oe part.

[MagicRat]

With older parts, I like to keep and rebuild the original component whenever possible for this very reason; and also to maintain originality.

At the very least, keep the original master cyl if you can, just in case.

[72chevelleOhio]

Aftermarket master cylinder? or is it the difference between front disc and front drum brake master cylinders?

(too lazy to look it up right now...)

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by 72chevelleOhio

Aftermarket master cylinder? or is it the difference between front disc and front drum brake master cylinders?

(too lazy to look it up right now...)

That is a good point. I believe all those Cougars had standard disc front brakes.
However, who knows what mc was shipped...........

On the new master cylinder, are both brake fluid reservoirs the same size, or is the front one larger?

[RaeRae1]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Correct on the hook up, your concern is the bore diameter, it should never be less than the oe part.

Ok - I feel like a complete idiot but when I was going to bring the MC back I got the box and bag and... there was a coupling in the bag that fixed the diameter problem... *erk* sorry.

Originally Posted by MagicRat

With older parts, I like to keep and rebuild the original component whenever possible for this very reason; and also to maintain originality.

At the very least, keep the original master cyl if you can, just in case.

Thanks MagicRat - I am going to keep the original MC and probably rebuild it. I am planning on keeping a lot of the parts I replace just to have the original parts and that way I can always possibly sell them later.

Originally Posted by 72chevelleOhio

Aftermarket master cylinder? or is it the difference between front disc and front drum brake master cylinders?

(too lazy to look it up right now...)

Originally Posted by MagicRat

That is a good point. I believe all those Cougars had standard disc front brakes.
However, who knows what mc was shipped...........

On the new master cylinder, are both brake fluid reservoirs the same size, or is the front one larger?

Correct, the cougar has the front disc and the rear drum. The the front reservior is bigger (on both the original and the replacement). The difference is, the fitting on the old cylinder came out of the side of the bigger reservior where as the fitting comes out of the bottom of the larger reservior on the new one. I will get a few pics posted up if possible. I think it will be ok, because the reserviors are pretty much the same (rounded a bit differently but approximately the same sizes, two large and two small).

Thank you guys tons. You are always a big help.

[MagicRat]

IMO install the new one and see how it performs.

[RaeRae1]

Well, even with the adapter that they sent with it, I have a second line that is a different size. I am going to return it and try again. . I really want to be able to enjoy this convert before the weather starts to get colder!! I was hoping to have all the systems back together and ready for the exhaust shop this weekend, grrrrr

[RaeRae1]

Alright, how hard is it to rebuild a master cylinder? I would imagine it is pretty simple compared to all the things I am learning to do on this cougar.

The master cylinder talked about above, the one that has been a thorn in my side - well, we kept it because NAPA said we would refund all but the shipping on the part THEY got wrong. They gave us an adapter and we said ok - whatever, and took it home.

Well, after getting it all together - the last brake line, the one that is the most difficult to get to - well, it WON'T REACH! It is about 1/4" shy of reaching. The old MC had the fitting coming out the side, this one is out the bottom and it won't work. Traveled all over the stupid city today to see if someone had a 90degree angled fitting - no luck. SOooooo... perhaps I can just rebuild my old one - I want this car in the muffler shop THIS WEEK.

So, long story longer -can anyone tell me how much time it usually takes to rebuild a master cylinder?

[bobss396]

Quite often, the parts to rebuild a master are more than a rebuilt master itself. I only rebuild the older ones if I can't get a rebuilt one.

Some of the older Cougars came with drum brakes all around. Like someone else mentioned, disc brake masters have one reservoir that is larger (for the front discs) than the other.

Whatever the case, the old one should be a pretty close match for the new one. Some aftermarket vendors make their own master, Bendix and wagner are some of them, those may look different than an original Ford/Mercury unit.

Bob

[RaeRae1]

Originally Posted by bobss396

Quite often, the parts to rebuild a master are more than a rebuilt master itself. I only rebuild the older ones if I can't get a rebuilt one.

Some of the older Cougars came with drum brakes all around. Like someone else mentioned, disc brake masters have one reservoir that is larger (for the front discs) than the other.

Whatever the case, the old one should be a pretty close match for the new one. Some aftermarket vendors make their own master, Bendix and wagner are some of them, those may look different than an original Ford/Mercury unit.

Bob

My master (the wrong one) cost me right around $80, the rebuild kit is $25. I am finding out that by the book with these classic cars is not always the best way to go.

We got the MC we have in there to work. We were able to unbolt the proportioning valve from the body and move it forward the amount of space we needed to get it to connect. We are learning to think in different patterns and try other angles constantly with this rebuild. If nothing else, it is keeping things interesting.

We stayed up until 2am bleeding the brakes and getting all the loose ends tied up. She is now down off the jackstands and ready to roll to the muffler shop after I tighten the end links and straghten the wheels (it has terrible toe-in). Should be driving her by this weekend!

Thanks everybody!

[MagicRat]

Thank you for the update. Good luck

[RaeRae1]

And yet another update. The incorrect master cylinder did not work. I found out from my friends on the cougar forum that NAPA has the wrong part number - the one they have listed for rear drum, front disc is actually the one for front and rear drum. Needless to say, this master clyinder is causing the front brakes not to work up to par and the brake light will not go off.

She is in the exhaust shop right now getting dual exhaust and flowmaster knockoffs - it should sound sooooo sweet when it gets done. I guess I will be doing the MC yet again this weekend. NAPA happens to have the correct one IN STOCK! Oh well, I still enjoy it, and now that I have done it a few times, it should be cake right?

[gracy12]

Hi,this is glory. I SMELL LIKE SPAM

[72chevelleOhio]

^ Thanks for that.....I was worried this thread might stay on topic....

Anyways.....Is the "correct" MC from Napa actually the right one?