53-62 Brake Master Cylinder Service Replacement

[Christopher R.]

Did you know that you can still buy a service replacement 53-62 Corvette brake master cylinder. Here are the part numbers.

Delco, 18M990
Chevy, 19106776
Raybestos, MC19012
Dorman, M19012
NAPA, UP 19012

NAPA has it for $119.00. Chevypartsdirect has it for $86. Rockauto.com has the Raybestos for $88, the Dorman for $72. The usual Corvette parts vendors have it for around $120.

The original Chevy part number was 5454480. This was stamped on a plug on the front of the part. The side of the housing was cast with 5456022. "Delco" was also cast into the part, so I would think that they were the manufacturer.

Anybody know anything about these service replacement parts? I have to believe that they are all the same. Made by one source. I find it hard to believe that Chevy, Delco, Raybestos, and Dorman are all making them. Are these parts any good? Have they the same form, fit, and function as the original? Will everything bolt right up? I've seen pictures of some of these parts. They are very similar to the original. Has anybody bought one? I'm trying to decide whether to fix my original, or buy one of these.

[Roy B.]

Re: 53-62 Brake Master Cylinder Service Replacement

They will replace the original and work OK but why not recondition your's and keep the real one

[Michael L.]

Re: 53-62 Brake Master Cylinder Service Replacement

Never had an original in my '55. Ben running a NAPA cylinder with no problems. They come with a plastic cap.

[Christopher R.]

Re: 53-62 Brake Master Cylinder Service Replacement

Usual reasons.

I'm having trouble with the real one. Got it fixed once, and that didn't work. Getting it re-fixed is expensive and time consuming. Now I'm doubting whether it can ever be fixed. Even if I got it fixed, I don't trust the part. It's a safety item. I need the car. This part is secondary to and now holding up a larger project. The car's been off the road for over a year now. Going through a second summer pretty fast. This part is a distraction. It's now interfering with my job, vacation plans, family, friends, and other personal projects. All this for "numbers matching."

Versus

Call the 800 number. Give them a credit car number, and for $90 to be paid later, it'll be in a box on your doorstep in less than a week. (I'm going away, and won't get back to this job for about a week.) New. Shiney. Clean. Virginal. Bolt on without getting your hands dirty. You know it's going to work right. Looks close to the original part.

[Jim T.]

Re: 53-62 Brake Master Cylinder Service Replacement

Christopher I found out a month ago that I can buy a replacement master cylinder for several dollars cheaper than what a rebuild kit costs for my 70 with power brakes. It would be cheaper to buy the replacement master cylinder, remove the new seals and piston and install them in my original master cylinder.

[Terry D.]

Re: 53-62 Brake Master Cylinder Service Replacement

Christopher
Buy the Delco or NAPA and get the car on the road. Worry about fixing the original as a winter project. Why waste the fun of driving over a few numbers?
Terry