Would like to replace the original M/C in 1958 to a dual M/C setup for safety reasons. Any suggestions re manufacturer or retail source? Car is a 245 2x4bbl setup. would like to NOT permanently modify anything on the car as it is a very original survivor. should I just leave it original and rebuild it every couple of years? Read about "upgrade" disasters on this forum and would like to avoid the aggravation. Thank in advance, Ken
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Re: 1958 master cylinder "upgrade?"
Kenneth,
There are a couple of manufacturers/retailers that offer the upgrade.
Basically I'ts an extension tube that mounts to where the original MC was mounted and has an extended rod that hooks up to a dual cylinder reservoir which sits about 6" foward of where the original MC sat.
I was only reading an artical on the installation a few days ago in a back issue of CF or vette.
If you can't find a kit on one of the vendors websites e-mail me and I will scan the artical and send it to you.
I believe CC and Zip have the kits as well as the major vette brake specialists.
Cheers, Mark.
My Vette Page! -
I've always wondered...
...why this type of conversion gets so much attention. How many of us have actually experienced brake failure on a single-master vehicle? Not "I heard of a guy", etc., I mean first hand. The closest I ever came in 30+ years of driving was driving a friend's vehicle a couple of country miles after a failure ("0" traffic and manual trans was the only reason I agreed). Examination of the car showed the steel tube from the front to the rear had completely rusted out. Anyone care to have an informal "poll" right here?Comment
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You also have to . .
add a second front brake line (that goes on top of the front crossmember) in order to have a separate connection to the rear line. And you'll need to get some fittings which the kits don't include. Both of these steps were a bigger PIA than I expected.
I got mine directly from Master Power Brakes. It was included in my front disk brake conversion kit (about $800 total). The dual master cylinder is as Mark described. The extension tube also goes down slightly for hood clearance. It is bolt in and completely changeable back to stock.Comment
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I can see converting to disc, BUT...
Why would anyone go through the trouble just to convert to dual cylinder? I would think the chances of total failure of a well-maintained system are about nil.Comment
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Re: 1958 master cylinder "upgrade?"
This question is discussed ad naseum on this board. If you want to re-engineer the C1 Corvette then do it. I presume you're a lot sharper than the 500 or so professional graduate engineers that created the Corvette in the first place.
More and more when I go to look at a Corvette to purchase it or do an appraisal for someone else, I observe the results of jack-leg engineering and installation of garbage promoted by some pimply faced moron working for a parts house in cahoots with an aftermarket supplier and a Corvette magazine desparately in need of copy. Each time you make an "upgrade" (buzz word for hello sucker give me your money) a zillion other problems surface because of the "upgrade".
Rest assured that these "upgrades" take value away from your Corvette. Spend money to loose money is what you do! And in the meantime you've got a few serious problems to solve.
I know of one JERK that installed a set of four piston Grand National NASCAR style disc brakes with a power booster, residual pressure valves, proportioning systems, stainless brake lines and DOT 5 silicone fluid. Cost a fortune and guess what? His C1 didn't stop any better than with the original brakes! He lost all his brakes on one occasion in high altitude due to the silicone fluid.
Dale PearmanComment
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Why?
So you can lock-up the front wheels? You can do that with drum brakes! The amount of pedal pressure is the same in both cases! Disc brakes does NOT equal power brakes!
Dale PearmanComment
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A confession...
I often do the tech assistance for a well-known Mustang parts supplier, and an equally well-known magazine tech column. I play devil's advocate with the disc conversion question constantly. What most people really want (without knowing it) is power assist, because the old car requires so much more pedal effort than their 1998 Nissan. Manual disc conversion actually requires more effort. Unless you require the fade-resistance of discs for maybe weekend racing, disc conversion is WAY over-rated. Sells a lot of magazines, though.Comment
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EXACTLY
When I was employed by Eckler's I had to write HYPE regularly to be published in auto magazines to induce readers to screw-up their cars with aftermarket so called "upgrades". This activity created a market for pure JUNK! I fulfilled my employment contract and looked forward to being history after a few such articles.
I never cease to be amazed at how gullible the public is when it comes to blowing dollars on perceived automobile improvements.
Dale.Comment
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