Avanti master cylinder nightmare

[davette59]

My existing master cylinder was leaking so I decided to replace it. It was not he original one and I couldn't find one to match. It had both brake line ports on the side. I went to Avanti web sites and found that it was supposed to take one from a 1967 Ford Fairlane 500. This had one of the ports on the bottom and when I tried to install it, the bottom port was so close to the fender well, the brake line could not be connected. I cannot return it. Home reservoir needs to be larger than the other. The only one that I could find that even came close was at NAPA but the bore is 1.125 which is larger than it should be. I bought this for another $50 and hope it works. After putting the brake fluid in I won't be able to return it. Just be aware that the 67 Ford cylinder will not work on a 78 Avanti.
I haven't been able to drive it for two weeks. I hope I can get it ready for "drive your studebaker" day.

[sweetolbob]

Dave

Again I'll post the picture of my 74 MC that looks just like the MC in my 83 except I plumbed the 74 from the engine side for the front brakes. This one is from Rock Auto and fits a 1967 Ford Galaxie 390 cu in with front disc/rear drum.

There is no reason to believe your 78 differed from my 74 or 83 when it left Avanti Motors so I left it large so you can compare it to your install. If it doesn't fit then look at the vacuum cylinder or how it mounts. I can't think of any reason it won't fit if the vacuum cylinder and MC are mounted like Avanti Motors did them




Here's a shot of the vacuum booster mounting.



My guess is if 20 of us post pictures of our MC setup it will look like mine.

Best I can do unless you post more pictures because when I just took the booster picture I looked at mine and there is plenty of clearance for the rear brake line.

If all else fail, find a member with one close to you and drive over and look.

Bob

[davette59]

Thanks Bob, I had forgotten that you posted that picture earlier. I'll take another look but I'm pretty sure there isn't enough clearance without kinking the brake line. I tried to get an angle fitting to put on the bottom but after 4 auto supplies and two plumbing supplies, I had to give up on that idea. I'll give it one more look today, thanks for your response. I can't imagine why my car would be different. Side ports would be so much easier though.

[Rerun]

Dave,

This is the factory M/C set-up on my '78. The ports are bottom and LEFT side. This is due to the long A/C compressor (not an issue on Bob's M/C pictured above). The bottom port clears the apron fine. That bend in the tubing is not one that can be made by hand, though. An appropriate tubing bender for that diameter tubing will be needed.

[davette59]

Success!! After many trips to auto related stores I found an adaptor fitting that allowed me to re-bend my brake line and attach it to the bottom port of the master cylinder. There was just barely enough room to connect the brake line without kinking it. The air conditioner didn't make matters any easier.
Also, I bought some lava wrap and wrapped the exhaust pipe from the manifold down until it passed the starter. The exhaust passed within 1" of the starter and I feel that may be the reason the starter doesn't work when the car is hot. If this doesn't work I am going to try some of the suggestions made and check all of my electrical connections.
the pictures really helped.