Manual Brakes

[Garagedude]

I am little confussed by the whole thing, I have converted the whole truck too disk brakes, I went down to advance auto, to get a manual master cylinder, and they are telling me there is no diffrence between the master cylinders whether its manual or power is this true? And my second question is can somebody post a pic or something of the pushrod that goes too there manual master cylinder, I thought manual master cylinders had the push rod build into them, my concern with using my old power brakes master cylinder is that the rod might fall out of the grove or something. Thanks

[Tx Firefighter]

The master cylinders are indeed the same for manual and power applications.

I don't have a picture of the push rod on this work computer, but I can get you one tomorrow when I get back to the shop.

[FredB]

There is a difference in power vs manual master cylinders. I converted my 60 Apache to power disc and was given a manual disc master at the parts store. With the manual master on my power booster I could drive a couple of miles and the disc's would be locked up tight and the truck would not move until it sat for a while. Allowing the pressure to bleed off of the calipers. A power master eliminated this problem. It has something to do with the valving built into the different masters. Look around on the NAPA and other parts sites and you will find different masters for both power and manual they make them for a reason. Also most manual master cylinders have a much deeper locating hole in the piston than power ones and that will keep the rod from falling out. Hardly any of them have the rod attached any more. On my 60 the push rod is attached to the brake pedal and locates in the hole in the back of the piston, as long as you have it adjusted it can't fall out.
Fred

[Tx Firefighter]

It must be application specific. I have converted many 67-72 trucks to power brakes and just unbolted the manual master cylinder and bolted it to the booster. Never any issues at all.

[FredB]

TX you are probably right with application specific. The manual master I had was for a late 70's early 80's and the one I replaced it with was a 71. I have found the info on this board to be much more reliable than the parts store guy.
Fred B