Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

[Jimmy G.]

I have a 1960 that needs a MC rebuild (leaking). It has already had a brass insert installed. Anyone have any luck honing these brass inserts and installing a kit. Any does or donts. The sleeve appears worn so I hope a quick honing and a fresh kit will solve my brake problems. It is hard enough to stop a 1960 at 100 MPH ----- without brakes even more difficult!!!!!!

[Norris W.]

Re: Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

I've been curious about this also. I've sent several to Virginia in recent years and they install the brass sleeves, but I've always wondered why they don't use stainless. I don't remember the explanation when I asked the question several years ago, but it didn't seem logical at the time.

[Larry M.]

Re: Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

I've been curious about this also. I've sent several to Virginia in recent years and they install the brass sleeves, but I've always wondered why they don't use stainless. I don't remember the explanation when I asked the question several years ago, but it didn't seem logical at the time.

Brass is less costly, more mallable, and easier to work with. But stainless steel should/will last longer in most circumstances.

Larry

[Dick W.]

Re: Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

I've been curious about this also. I've sent several to Virginia in recent years and they install the brass sleeves, but I've always wondered why they don't use stainless. I don't remember the explanation when I asked the question several years ago, but it didn't seem logical at the time.

Billy always used brass and told me it machined so easy. I assume White Post still uses brass, I will find out shortly as I am sending them four unobtanium wheel cylinders and a master cylinder.

[Joe L.]

Re: Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

I have a 1960 that needs a MC rebuild (leaking). It has already had a brass insert installed. Anyone have any luck honing these brass inserts and installing a kit. Any does or donts. The sleeve appears worn so I hope a quick honing and a fresh kit will solve my brake problems. It is hard enough to stop a 1960 at 100 MPH ----- without brakes even more difficult!!!!!!

Jimmy-----


I greatly doubt that you'll be able to hone the master cylinder, install a kit, and get it to work properly. My experience has been that honed master cylinders, even slightly honed, just do not work well.

You MAY be able to get someone to re-sleeve it. However, I think that product liability requirements may make it difficult (that's why most master cylinder/caliper rebuilders will not accept previously sleeved units as cores).

The thing I'm surprised about is why the master cylinder sleeve you have is showing signs of wear. A brass sleeve ought to last about as long as anyone currently on earth is going to need it.

[Dick W.]

Re: Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

Jimmy, is it worn, or just polished where the cup slides? If you want to resleeve it, there is a shop here that has been doing them for over 30 years. They don't have any kits, etc, just do the machine work.

[Guy M.]

Re: Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

Where would one send a MC for sleeving, my 54 could probably use it as I only honed it.

[Ronald W.]

Re: Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

To remove brass sleeve simply heat in oven at 500 degrees for half hour. This will melt the loctite adhesive and the sleeve will fall out. I had mine resleeved in stainless steel by adams.

[John F.]

Re: Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

My local machine shop put a stainless sleeve in mine. No problems.

[Dick W.]

Re: Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

Where would one send a MC for sleeving, my 54 could probably use it as I only honed it.

Lonestar Caliper, CSSB, Apple Hydraulics, White Post Restorations, plus there are several more that have been mentioned in the past. I have used a local machine shop when all I needed was a sleeve, White Post for several antique cars, CSSB and Lonestar for some Corvette stuff. All do good work

[Peter M.]

Re: Master Cylinder Rebuild - Brass Sleeved

I have a 1960 that needs a MC rebuild (leaking). It has already had a brass insert installed. Anyone have any luck honing these brass inserts and installing a kit. Any does or donts. The sleeve appears worn so I hope a quick honing and a fresh kit will solve my brake problems. It is hard enough to stop a 1960 at 100 MPH ----- without brakes even more difficult!!!!!!

Jimmy:

Erich Cornely (46879) posted this rebuild tip just last week:

P.



If there is any pitting in the bore just rebuilding it might not last too long or it might leak from the get go. Another option would be to have it sleeved and rebuilt. That way you retain the original master cylinder and have a new wear surface ( bore ). Here is an example of some places that provide that service:

http://www.brakecylinder.com/index.htm

http://www.applehydraulics.com/brakes.htm

http://www.resleeve.com/sleeving.htm.