Which master cylinder for drum disk manual brakes

[kcc0521]

I just converted my 1974 Bronco to the chevy disk brakes and I need a master cylinder. I bought one from a 1977 but it will not work since the lines come out on the wrong side. I need one made to work with manual disk front and drum rear with brake lines on driver side.

 

[DirtDonk]

Just use the stock one for now if you want. That's what many of us have done and it's worked out fine.
The '77 master you bought was for power brakes if the lines were on the engine side. Only manual brakes had the ports facing the driver's side. But a '77 master could be had for manual too. You just have to order that particular one if it's available from your supplier.

The existing one will work the brakes, but you might need to take out the residual pressure check valve in the front brake section if it's got one. Most older ones came with them for drum brakes, but most replacements in the last several years did not. Depends on how old your master is I guess.
You can verify by poking something into the port of the rearmost reservoir (front brakes). If you feel it stop on something a little springy, you have the valve. If it just goes straight in and meets no resistance, you don't need to take anything out.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Sorry, you asked about other options.
Aftermarket masters like the one we sell have ports on both sides (http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Hydroboost_Master_Cylinder/Bronco_Brake_Parts), but is larger at 1.125" diameter, so is not really appropriate for manual brakes. You really want to keep it between 3/4" and 1" piston size. With the 1" probably being the best for your larger calipers. Strikes a balance between easier pedal pushing (smaller piston) and a firmer pedal feel (larger piston).

The issue then is going to be matching the brake lines to the new master. Most likely any optional ones you get are going to have different size ports than the original. You could find a '76 or later Ford part, whether for a full-size truck or Bronco with manual brakes, if you can find one anymore. I just noticed that we don't offer it on our site any longer. It was there not long ago, but gone now.
Or you could go to say, a mid-sixties Corvette with manual brakes. It's going to look like the one in my link above, but with a smaller piston bore size. Still going to have the wrong port sizes though.

My first inclination is to just continue to use your stock master if it's still in good shape. Ready to go and no adapting of lines.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[kcc0521]

I was able to bend the lines and make it work for now but I need to change the rod out because the stock one is longer. I got them both out but I need a replacement clip. Any idea if parts stores sell them?

 

[dixieboyz13]

Toms sells a manual disc master. I am running one on my conversion and it works well. Only problem I keep having is losing fluid out of the top of the reservoir. I tried the original drum master and could barely stop. This was a nice upgrade, and keeps the rig driving until I feel like upgrading to power.

https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/pro...r-non-power-disc-brakes-66-75-ford-bronco-new

 

[bronconut73]

Toms sells a manual disc master. I am running one on my conversion and it works well. Only problem I keep having is losing fluid out of the top of the reservoir. I tried the original drum master and could barely stop. This was a nice upgrade, and keeps the rig driving until I feel like upgrading to power.

https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/pro...r-non-power-disc-brakes-66-75-ford-bronco-new

Take the bale off and bend it. It won't be easy. May have to put it in a vise. It's springy steel.

Once you've bent it some, pop it back on. It will be harder to pull over the MC lid now and will hold the lid on much tighter.

 

[kcc0521]

I got it working with the 1977 master and I will use it like this till I convert to power brakes. It stops ok now.