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This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.

Sportster Brake Master Cylinder

29 Jun 2022, 8:57pm
If some parts are in short supply it could mean that buying what is available new may not turn out to be good quality? I bought some Quinton Hazell branded track control arms for my Rickman (Escort mk2 parts)from a reputable classic parts dealer, albeit via Ebay, and they only lasted 2k miles before they failed! Had more play in them in a couple of months than the previous ones which were at least 12 years old, as I'd never changed them. Alas QH isn't the same 'guarantee of quality, it was 30 years ago.
13 Jul 2022, 6:53pm
Nigbo wrote:
So I received the Ebay Borg & Beck master cylinder which I was unsure about due to the photo not looking like the Cifam model. However holding the two against each other it appears to all intents identical, although I have yet to check the piston arrangement. One small bonus is that based on its very light weight it must be made from aluminium rather than steel. Will let you know if it fits next week !!


Hi Nigel.
Did you fit the master cylinder? Was it ok? Peter.
3 Aug 2022, 2:33pm
Replacement Brake Master Cylinder

Quick update for anyone following this thread.

I have fitted and bled the new generic master cylinder and feel the brakes are the best they have ever been in terms of pedal height, and performance.
Sailed through its MOT.

The only issue I could foresee for others is the dummy outlets on the offside could foul the bonnet of earlier Cabrio, which have a parallel faced pedal box (to the bulkhead). Some later Cabrios - mine was the last made - had an angled face, providing greater clearance between the end of the master cylinder and the bonnet inside.
I would suggest even if fouling proves to be an issue, the dummy offside outlet bulge could be ground off, as it is only there to allow one common casting to be machined as either RHD, or LHD.

Has anyone else fitted the new one yet?

Regards
Mike
Grey V8 Pete wrote:
Hi Nigel.
Did you fit the master cylinder? Was it ok? Peter.
4 Aug 2022, 10:21am
Thanks for the feedback Mike, very reassuring to see these ones fit and work okay. I've also bought one that I'm currently fitting to my Sabre, but that's a story for another day .
20 Oct 2022, 8:10pm
[QUOTE=Mike;107787]
Hi Mike. After a summer concentrating on my classic I have now returned to the Marlin Hunter master cylinder maintenance. After a flash of inspiration I removed the separate bonnet side and with the bonnet top closed I looked at the space around the existing master cylinder. My dual servo is also tilted inwards with packing and there appears to be enough clearance for the redundant boss on the generic master cylinder! Phew! So currently installing the new one. Peter.
12 Dec 2022, 1:10pm
Hi Peter,
Did you have an issue with this master cylinder?
Cheers, Peter
13 Dec 2022, 6:34pm
peterux wrote:
Hi Peter,
Did you have an issue with this master cylinder?
Cheers, Peter

Hi Peter.
I did cut a small amount off the redundant front solid boss to ensure adequate clearance with the bonnet. If I can attach two photos they show the cut line which is the inner blue line in each case. That said, as my bulkhead is flat where the servo is mounted, I had already used packing washers to mount the new dual servo to get clearance. Peter.
15 Dec 2022, 4:55pm
Grey V8 Pete wrote:
Hi Peter.
I did cut a small amount off the redundant front solid boss to ensure adequate clearance with the bonnet. If I can attach two photos they show the cut line which is the inner blue line in each case. That said, as my bulkhead is flat where the servo is mounted, I had already used packing washers to mount the new dual servo to get clearance. Peter.

Thanks Peter, but you mentioned another issue on the MOC forum? Perhaps this is now resolved?
15 Dec 2022, 5:55pm
Yes. The other issue was a red herring! Peter.