C1 Brake Cylinder rebuild and sleeving

[Donald H.]

In my restoration 1960 project I have removed the master cylinder in preparation for body lift. It is pretty sad looking on the inside so I want to rebuild it. I've done a lot research in this forum and have some questions:

1. If I plan to use silicone fluid is it best to have SS sleeve? I am replacing all the lines anyway so I might as well switch to Dot 5. I've seen a recommendation on Brake & Equipment Warehouse that they will do sleeving with stainless.

2. If I send to them for sleeving, I will finish the rebuild myself. How do I clean the crude and rust from inside the Master Cylinder fluid reservoir? I can blast some of the area, but from my inspection it seems to have rust on all surfaces?

3. What about the wheel/slave cylinders? Should I have the existing sleeved with SS and rebuild or replace? I see that NAPA and places like Paragon, Corvette Central all carry these and they are relatively inexpensive.

Thanks for all the expert advice and help

[Larry M.]

Re: C1 Brake Cylinder rebuild and sleeving

I would send to Lone Star Caliper, Apple Hydraulics, or White Post for sleeving. When it comes back, it will be "good to go". They provide a total rebuild.

As for wheel cylinders, if you can find ones that look close to original and fit as original, I would probably just buy new. Keep you originals for cores if you later decide to sleeve.

Replace all the lines and hoses, and refill with DOT 5. Forget it for the next 10 years.

Recommend OEM type shoes/pads. Don't go with semi-metallic or metallic unless you need to....and you don't need to for street driving.

Larry

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Brake Cylinder rebuild and sleeving

I had the MS sleeved (white post) ,used air pressure to clean the lines , had and used NOS original wheel cylinders, lines and NOT silicone fluid . Going on 30 years and they still work fine.
And by the way added 57 T-Bird PB booster under the left fender splash pan. Really works great!! no one sees it .

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Brake Cylinder rebuild and sleeving

Does it make sense to switch to Dot 5 if I am rebuilding everything? This car has been sitting for a while after a previous owner started what was termed a restoration. When I drained the master cylinder from one of the wheels the fluid was really nasty and full of rust. Also, the previous owner who started his restoration painted everything under on or attached to the frame, brake lines, fuel lines, etc. So my plan is to replace all the lines.

If I just want to have someone sleeve the MC and then finish the rebuild myself, is there a slick way to clean rust out the fluid reservoir? I will call one of the recommended places and see what they will do.

Thanks,

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Brake Cylinder rebuild and sleeving

Does it make sense to switch to Dot 5 if I am rebuilding everything? This car has been sitting for a while after a previous owner started what was termed a restoration. When I drained the master cylinder from one of the wheels the fluid was really nasty and full of rust. Also, the previous owner who started his restoration painted everything under on or attached to the frame, brake lines, fuel lines, etc. So my plan is to replace all the lines.

If I just want to have someone sleeve the MC and then finish the rebuild myself, is there a slick way to clean rust out the fluid reservoir? I will call one of the recommended places and see what they will do.

Thanks,

Who would sleeve it will clean the rust out for you!

[John F.]

Re: C1 Brake Cylinder rebuild and sleeving

A local machine shop re-sleeved mine with SS for $65 and I put the rebuild kit in. Flushed the rest of the lines and replaced the wheel cylinders. Went with DOT-5. No problems!
John F

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Brake Cylinder rebuild and sleeving

John,

Where did you get your wheel cylinders. I've looked at NAPA Online and they have part numbers for front and back for my 1960.

[John F.]

Re: C1 Brake Cylinder rebuild and sleeving

No one sells originals. You can just rebuild the old ones or go to O'Rielley's or Advance in my area of South Texas. Mine are from O'Rielley's.
John F

[Jim L.]

Re: C1 Brake Cylinder rebuild and sleeving

John,

Where did you get your wheel cylinders. I've looked at NAPA Online and they have part numbers for front and back for my 1960.

When I checked NAPA Online, all I saw was rebuild kits for the 1-3/16" front cylinders.

The only front wheel cylinders I can find on the NAPA site are the 1-1/8" variety for '59 and older. Yes, these will work on a '60 but they yield a harder pedal than the original 1-3/16" wheel cylinders.

If you can't rebuild your existing 1-3/16" wheel cylinders but want to stay with that size, you can adapt wheel cylinders from a 1969 International truck. A slight modification is required to the backing plate, but once installed, these wheel cylinders are visually identical to any other replacement cylinders. Ask for NAPA #37246 and #37247 in their United product line.

Jim

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Brake Cylinder rebuild and sleeving

When I checked NAPA Online, all I saw was rebuild kits for the 1-3/16" front cylinders.

The only front wheel cylinders I can find on the NAPA site are the 1-1/8" variety for '59 and older. Yes, these will work on a '60 but they yield a harder pedal than the original 1-3/16" wheel cylinders.

If you can't rebuild your existing 1-3/16" wheel cylinders but want to stay with that size, you can adapt wheel cylinders from a 1969 International truck. A slight modification is required to the backing plate, but once installed, these wheel cylinders are visually identical to any other replacement cylinders. Ask for NAPA #37246 and #37247 in their United product line.

Jim

Jim, thanks, I was not aware of the size difference. Are the rears all 1". I've looked through the Nolan Adams book and the Service Guide for 53-62. But can only find specifics for 58 that are 1 1/4" front and 1" rear. I was not able to get mine off yet, bolts are frozed and I don't want to round off the heads. I'll have to wait until I get the body lifted so I can get a better angle on the back plate.

I want to try and used the originals, so hopefully they will not be to far gone. The only reason I was asking now is that I have the master cylinder out and am sending to get sleeved and was wondering if I should do the same for the wheel cylinders.

Thanks,