Hello all,

I've just bought 1959 S2 88 and am sorting it out bit by bit. It's a turd really, but that's what I can afford and I like tinkering on those anyways, so there will be plenty of tinkering needed.

Speaking of tinkering, the brake master cylinder has run dry and is seized and I'm looking for options. Although this car came with the CB type master cylinder and a concentric remote reservoir with the clutch tank in the center and the brake's around, that's not what's in there right now. The brake master cylinder in it now looks like a GM sourced integral reservoir which equipped many 60s cars including the corvette, but was only available in 1" bore diameter (see picture)


The thing fits pretty good in there and is very cheap to replace so I could put an identical new one in place and be done with it or use two s3 clutch MC, but I'd like to upgrade to a tandem master cylinder for improved safety. However everything I found for conversion adds power brakes, which I don't think I need and would require me to replace for a later brake tower so a lot more expenses.

According to catalogue information, the early s2 88 had the same master cylinders for clutch and brake, and were 3/4 bore piston. I have never driven one of them so I wonder what the pedal travel is when all is in order, and how heavy is the leg effort to make it work? Probably some of you have tried a 109 MC on a 88 (1" piston bore instead of 3/4"), is it livable or does it just make the pedal too hard and no stroke?

I've found a compromise with the Ford 7/8" bore tandem manual drum/drum from early mustangs to be the closest in specs to what would work but I'm afraid it'll be a bit too long and would require to cut the bulkhead. Is there another known tandem master cylinder that's as short as the CB type (6" from mounting flange) that you guys know of? Here is the Mustang MC:

 

All I can really answer is that my 1963 2A, with the original type of master cylinder (and complete brake system), is that I felt that my brakes were very adequate (except after driving through deep puddles when off road).

 

Use 3/4" bore unit. I replaced bad stock unit on my S3 with the 109" unit readily available all over ebay and hated it. I then picked up the correct 3/4" bore unit and swapped it out. Much better pedal pressure.

 

Thanks guys. That's exactly the kind of insight I need. I might just drop that tandem master cylinder idea, as it seems 3/4" tandems just doesn't exist, they're almost always bigger bore for power assist...

 

Call Ike at Pangolin (541) 606-0095. I bought mine from his in-stock inventory.

 

The dual master cylinder is of course a great safety feature, but I think it became necessary because people weren’t maintaining their brake systems. If you maintain your single master cylinder system (including inspecting hoses and lines), I think it is really quite safe.