Brakes: brake master cylinder replacement 1950 starlight

[martin coffey]

any issues to look out for when replacing

[paul shuffleburg]

Just bench bleed the master cylinder before installing it.

[Ross]

Hmmmm. I never bench bleed single master cylinders--it makes for a very messy installation. Worked OK for the last hundred or so I've installed.

Regardless, when you do get it installed on the frame be sure to adjust the pushrod length so that there is a small amount of free play at the pedal; 1/8-1/4 inch would be OK.

[StudeRich]

Do not forget to use or replace (Preference on replace) the 33/64" and 39/64" Copper Crush Washers on each side of the Brass Banjo Fitting.

I include them with new Master Cylinders.

[E. Davis]

If you can't stand the sight of blood or bruised knuckles wear gloves. Sometimes it is hard to find the copper crush washers but you can heat the old ones red hot and let them cool and they will work fine. It is what I usually do. Damned old age and bad memory won't let me remember what they call the process but a lot of mechanics use it.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

If you can't stand the sight of blood or bruised knuckles wear gloves. Sometimes it is hard to find the copper crush washers but you can heat the old ones red hot and let them cool and they will work fine. It is what I usually do. Damned old age and bad memory won't let me remember what they call the process but a lot of mechanics use it.

"Annealing"?
-Dwight

[tertiumquid]

If you can't stand the sight of blood or bruised knuckles wear gloves. Sometimes it is hard to find the copper crush washers but you can heat the old ones red hot and let them cool and they will work fine. It is what I usually do. Damned old age and bad memory won't let me remember what they call the process but a lot of mechanics use it.

The copper washers these days are all Chinese made and do need annealing (heating to a medium dull red) to crush properly. Even then, I still had a problem with sealing on my '48 Commander but found a Permatex product made specifically for hydraulic sealing and it worked like a charm. Look for Permatex 54540 from Amazon for pneumatic and hydraulic applications