55 Fargo Posted February 28, 2013 Report Posted February 28, 2013 (edited) I have developed a leak at my MC on the 55 Fargo, this was after I replaced a bad wheel cyl, and then bled brakes, now it's leaking a bit. I have phoned a company in Edmonton Canada, they want $350 to re-sleeve, mighty steep. Rock Auto has new MCs for around a $100, not sure if they are any good or not. I have had success in the past with new kits, but mostly on wheel cyls not MCs. Anybody have any ideas or suggestions? I figure a good honing and kit might work as this MC has been in service for a while....thanx Fred Edited February 28, 2013 by C38Spitfire6 Quote
Don Coatney Posted February 28, 2013 Report Posted February 28, 2013 Have you inspected the bore? That would be the first thing I would do. After inspection you should be smarter on what to do next. I dont think anyone can advise not knowing what the real problem is. Might just need new rubber parts. Quote
55 Fargo Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Posted February 28, 2013 Have you inspected the bore? That would be the first thing I would do. After inspection you should be smarter on what to do next. I dont think anyone can advise not knowing what the real problem is. Might just need new rubber parts. Have not pulled this MC just yet. I also have a spare, but need to pull it off a frame,but sure that one would be rusty inside, so need to pull either for inspection. When your OEM master failed, was it leaking prior, or just give up all of a sudden? Quote
John-T-53 Posted February 28, 2013 Report Posted February 28, 2013 Clean it up with a hone and then inspect. If there are pits from rust, it'll still leak, even with new cups, and the rust will return. If this turns out to be the case, replace. Quote
Don Coatney Posted February 28, 2013 Report Posted February 28, 2013 No known leak prior. Sudden death. That is usually the way it works for master cylinder failure. Wheel cylinder failure may or may not give you one more chance. Quote
55 Fargo Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Posted February 28, 2013 No known leak prior. Sudden death. That is usually the way it works for master cylinder failure. Wheel cylinder failure may or may not give you one more chance. I have always experienced leaking brake fluid, but usually not complete failure.leaks are not good, but I guess it can happen with dirt,bad rubber, pitting etc, and generally hold up.. Quote
Young Ed Posted February 28, 2013 Report Posted February 28, 2013 Fred I think brake and equipment warehouse here in mpls will do it way less than that. If I remember correctly I think 125. Quote
55 Fargo Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Posted February 28, 2013 Fred I think brake and equipment warehouse here in mpls will do it way less than that. If I remember correctly I think 125. Thanx Ed, tried phoning a few minutes ago, their closed for the day, will call tomorrow. I was thinking this topic ,must be very common on the 2 boards, as most old cars/trucks, never have an MC or wheel cyl, in working condition, when we get these projects.....LOL Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted March 1, 2013 Report Posted March 1, 2013 Hi; I would be inclined to put a new M/C in myself. Roberts has them for around $130 I believe. Then you can take the best one of the two old ones you have and rebuild it at your leisure for a spare. Jeff Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Posted March 1, 2013 Hi; I would be inclined to put a new M/C in myself. Roberts has them for around $130 I believe. Then you can take the best one of the two old ones you have and rebuild it at your leisure for a spare. Jeff I have not heard the greatest thing about Roberts parts, where would this be manufactured?You can acutally buy new from Rock Auto for $93.00, but how good are they? I would be inclined to either have it sleeved, or if the bore is in good shape, a new kit. Listen I appreciate the suggestion, but am finding a lot of Roberts stuff, is of Asian extraction.. Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Posted March 1, 2013 On the 1955/56 Dodge/Fargo truck, the MC faces toward back of truck, could a more modern dual MC be mounted into this location somewhat easier than a Pilothouse truck? Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Posted March 1, 2013 The Rock Auto MC, this mounts pointing to back of truck on the 1955 Dodge/Fargos. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1488225,parttype,1836 Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted March 1, 2013 Report Posted March 1, 2013 I have not heard the greatest thing about Roberts parts, where would this be manufactured?You can acutally buy new from Rock Auto for $93.00, but how good are they? I would be inclined to either have it sleeved, or if the bore is in good shape, a new kit. Listen I appreciate the suggestion, but am finding a lot of Roberts stuff, is of Asian extraction.. I know what you are saying.....and it is a problem that seems to be getting worse. Trouble is these days hardly anything is made here....and even if it is it isn't always what it should be. Crying shame really.....we use to make the best stuff....and now we don't make much. Absolutely ridiculous if you think about it. I don't know where Roberts sources their parts. One thing I do know is you can actually talk with the owner and he seems to be a decent guy. I like that over buying from some big Corporation that couldn't care less about my business and probably buys the cheapest stuff they can. Either way it is hard to know where a lot of the stuff we use actually comes from. And often times it is the little things like a poor quality gasket or seal that bite us the hardest. Jeff Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Posted March 1, 2013 One other concern I do have with my present set-up. My MC is 1 1/4 bore, front wheel cyls 1 1/8 bore, and rear wheel cyls (1988 Dodge) 15/16" bore. Because the rear wheel cyls are 15/16, will this be any issue, as they are smaller in volume and size than the front wheel cyls?........thanx Quote
MBF Posted March 1, 2013 Report Posted March 1, 2013 I think White Post will install a brass sleeve for less that $100. I'd send the one you have in inventory out to have it done and do a swap when it comes back. I'm sure there are others that will perform this service. Mike Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Posted March 1, 2013 I think White Post will install a brass sleeve for less that $100. I'd send the one you have in inventory out to have it done and do a swap when it comes back. I'm sure there are others that will perform this service. MikeThat sounds like a good deal.....thanx Quote
ggdad1951 Posted March 1, 2013 Report Posted March 1, 2013 I actually got my MC from NAPA. The box said "Made in U.S.A.".... As for Roberts, I've never had a problem with his hardware that he dind't make right with a phone call. Stand up guy. Quote
HanksB3B Posted March 1, 2013 Report Posted March 1, 2013 I have phoned a company in Edmonton Canada, they want $350 to re-sleeve. This guy should be shot! Get a new MC from VPW Hank Quote
TodFitch Posted March 1, 2013 Report Posted March 1, 2013 This guy should be shot! Get a new MC from VPW Hank Napa Online shows a price of $132 for that master cylinder in my ZIP code. Their current part number for it is M544. The Raybestos number for it is MC544. Quote
Frank Elder Posted March 1, 2013 Report Posted March 1, 2013 White post will also install a stainless sleeve....... Quote
Merle Coggins Posted March 1, 2013 Report Posted March 1, 2013 If you have to spend $100+ to sleeve the MC, and another $15-$20 on a rebuild kit, why not spend the $100-$135 for a new one? Quote
Young Ed Posted March 1, 2013 Report Posted March 1, 2013 If you have to spend $100+ to sleeve the MC, and another $15-$20 on a rebuild kit, why not spend the $100-$135 for a new one? With that math you are basically spending the same. So why not get one sleeved with a longer lasting material? 1 Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Posted March 2, 2013 If you have to spend $100+ to sleeve the MC, and another $15-$20 on a rebuild kit, why not spend the $100-$135 for a new one? Yes Merle, have also thought this very thing.But... With that math you are basically spending the same. So why not get one sleeved with a longer lasting material? As Ed, mentions, sleeved OEM master will most likely be way better, and the stainless or brass, should be indestructible, when dealing with DOT 3 brake fluid, over time. The outfit Ed mentions is about $90 to sleeve the master, I clean up the master and install kit. Whitepost charges $175.00 plus return shipping for complete rebuild including brass sleeve. This rip-off outfit in Edmonton Canada, wants $350 plus shipping, aint gonna happen. My MC is leaking slightly at boot area, the pedal is very good, being a large 1 1/4 bore, pedal is a bit hard to begin with, brakes are performing pretty good. I cannot leave the MC as it is, or destruction could follow. I have all new brake shoes, drums machined, new wheel cyls and brake lines on diff. the front wheel cyls and rubber hoses are in good shape, but are older, should I leave them alone or replace? I am on a very tight budget right now. Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Posted March 2, 2013 This guy should be shot! Get a new MC from VPW Hank This unit looks just like the Rock auto and Roberts, with removable top plate, could they have a common supplier? Quote
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