1963 Master Cylinder

[Gerald C.]

I have a non power brake car and I'd like to add the power brake booster to it. I noticed that the master cylinder on a power brake car has a bleeder screw.

Can I have my master cylinder drilled out to accept the bleeder screw? If so, what size bleeder screw should I use?

Also, is this the only change I need to make to complete the job?

Thanks,

Jerry

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Master Cylinder

Jerry,

Yes, you can drill it for a bleeder.

On the second question, I'm hoping others will help that have their MC out of the car.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 Master Cylinder

Also, is this the only change I need to make to complete the job?

For hood clearance, power brake '63s retained the MC cap with a hex head bolt instead of the thumb bolt found on non-PB master cylinders.

Jim

[Alan D.]

Re: 1963 Master Cylinder

Jerry, since you will need to get the power unit consider getting a MC also and saving your original (assuming it's your original)

Certain options were only available or NOT available relative to the ECL code. Since 63 had may changes I would hate to see you modify an original MC only to find later it needs to be returned to the original configuration.
It's one thing if the fix is just removal of paint, but another if machine modifications have been done. Trim tags have ECL codes (or codes leading to ECL's) and hence may restrict the permitted options on your car, see "Authentication Library" by Al Grenning & Roy Sinor.

A quick look at the P&A (72ed) shows three (3) MC for 63: 5464311 power, 5464275 a 7/8 bore, and 5461765 a 7/8 bore. Now some of the MC are also a 1" bore however that may be for the SP HP stuff. I'm not an expert on any of this stuff so as Harry said; I'm hoping others will help!

Just raising a caution flag! Once the MC is modified it's not original.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 Master Cylinder

Suggest you use the replacement 64 unit with the bail wire top holder. They are identical internally to the 63 and already have the bleeder. They are also plentiful. Save that original 63. It took me nearly 15 years to find one with a good date on it to replace the one stolen from me in 1992.

Stu Fox

[Gerald C.]

Re: 1963 Master Cylinder

All great advice. It looks like I'm going to leave the original alone and buy a repalcement. It is not a NM car anyway!

Thanks