single to dual reservoir master cylinder conversion

[57chevyman]

Hey guys,

can someone please point me in the right direction.... currently I have non power drum brakes all around and a brand new single reservoir master cylinder...the brakes work great, but the single MC scares me.

id like to upgrade to a dual reservoir ( frame mount) master cylinder.

recommendations would be appreciated!

[mechanixman]

There is a whole kit that just bolts on, from speedway motors.
The only downside is the price. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $300.
Because of that, I'm making my own, for which I got a new c10 master cylinder (with lifetime warranty) for $20, a dual diaphragm brake booster for $15, and some metal for about $20. I've got a pretty solid kit. Only thing I'm missing is the proportioning valve.
But still, for about a 1/3 of the price, you can make your own.
Hope this helps,

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by mechanixman

There is a whole kit that just bolts on, from speedway motors.
The only downside is the price. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $300.
Because of that, I'm making my own, for which I got a new c10 master cylinder (with lifetime warranty) for $20, a dual diaphragm brake booster for $15, and some metal for about $20. I've got a pretty solid kit. Only thing I'm missing is the proportioning valve.
But still, for about a 1/3 of the price, you can make your own.
Hope this helps,

Does the kit work with all drum brakes?

[57chevyman]

http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-.../#.UwLvRsKYaUk

"Convert your truck to power brakes with our bolt-on power brake booster kit. Our brake booster bolts in the stock master cylinders location and uses the stock pedal with no cutting or welding. May require tubular transmission mount or the need to modify your original crossmember. Kit includes new power brake booster, new Corvette master cylinder, mounting bracket, master cylinder bleeder kit and all mounting hardware. Existing brake lines will need to be modified. (*No Free Shipping-These parts are heavy-Shipping cost depend on your delivery area) *Note: This item is drop shipped from the manufacturer and could take 2-4 weeks for delivery. Drop Ship Items have a 20% restocking fee, call for a return number. NO PROPORTION VALVE INCLUDED DRUM BRAKES DOES NOT USE. "

what about this?..... "May require tubular transmission mount or the need to modify your original crossmember."

[57chevyman]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-57-Chev...384a6b&vxp=mtr

I can get this bolt on kit delivered to my door for $190.00

can you guys check it out? Nick - is this the same as the kit youre talking about that's $300? the one on classicparts.com is also $300.

[tinyjaime]

I think you have to get a foot pedal pad to fit the pedal arm. If you have a stick shift the clutch pedal will look different than the brake pedal. If you got an automatic there will be no worries. I bought one from ebay and the only problem on my 56 3100 the original mounting holes made my MC tilt towards the front a little I will need to modify the bracket but its an easy fix but at least I have a dual with a booster.

The parking brake pulley will have to be moved a few inches to clear the bracket as I remember.

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by tinyjaime

I think you have to get a foot pedal pad to fit the pedal arm. If you have a stick shift the clutch pedal will look different than the brake pedal. If you got an automatic there will be no worries. I bought one from ebay and the only problem on my 56 3100 the original mounting holes made my MC tilt towards the front a little I will need to modify the bracket but its an easy fix but at least I have a dual with a booster.

I do have a stick shift and right now both the brake pedal and clutch pedal go down through the floor. So as long as I stay with a frame mount MC, ill keep that look.

is that bracket issue something specific to the ebay kit, or was it something different about your truck.

Anyone else have experience with the eBay dual MC???

[tinyjaime]

I asked the vendor from Ebay and this was his response about why it was not setting level I think the bracket was not drilled in the right location.

"My wife does remember that we had this problem once before and it was also on a 56. The holes in his frame didn't match up and he actually redrilled his frame. I guess you could shim the booster down if necessary. But after talking with a friend of mine he told me that one assembly plant in 56 actually drilled their holes different. Doesn't remember exactly (he is 86) but does remember something like that. I have only run into it one time also. Can't tell you any more than that. I checked a couple of different cases and all my brackets were the same. Probably over 7 years sold hundreds of them. In all honesty I don't know what to say."

I do not believe that the holes were drilled differently because then they would have 2 different castings of master cylinder. I will just fix the bracket and be done with it.

Yes the link I opened for ebay had the pedal arm made with the master cylinder assembly you would have to get one like mine with out the pedal arm assembly. The guy who sold me the master cylinder did try and make it right but I decided to fix it myself and save the head ache.

[tinyjaime]

heres my bracket from ebay

[mr48chev]

On my 48 I just built a bracket that bolts to the original spot that the stock master cylinder bolts on to to hold a 68 C-10 (fits a lot of things) master cylinder and then fabbed up a longer and much stronger pushrod that is also adjustable to work with it.
A couple of the other guys have done the same thing.

That kit should work if you want booster and all but If you don't need the booster you can fab up the bracket in about an hour.

[57chevyman]

Thanks tinyjaime and mr48chev!

OK, here's another option... a corvette dual reservoir master cylinder with bracket, without a booster. it does have a proportioning valve....... can I use this master cylinder and bypass the proportioning valve for a drum/drum setup?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/55-56-57-58-...a57555&vxp=mtr

[57chevyman]

Here we go. I can get this dual master cylinder $140/ free delivery. can you guys check it out... It looks like this is what I need to upgrade my drum/drum setup to a dual mc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-59-CHEV...10876280436%26

[tinyjaime]

If your going to keep it drum/drum then do not get the one with the proportioning valve. If you think that you might latter add on disks to the front the get it and remove the proportioning valve and install it when up grade the front to disk brakes and pads.

try this link http://www.piratejack.net/ it has some great reading in the tech tips to help you narrow down what your applications is for. Then you can search your vendors or the web to get what you need.

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by tinyjaime

If your going to keep it drum/drum then do not get the one with the proportioning valve. If you think that you might latter add on disks to the front the get it and remove the proportioning valve and install it when up grade the front to disk brakes and pads.

try this link http://www.piratejack.net/ it has some great reading in the tech tips to help you narrow down what your applications is for. Then you can search your vendors or the web to get what you need.

Thank you, that is what I'm going to do... just ordered this..