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By Rowen - 10 Years Ago
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I would like to know if there is a dual master cylinder that will be a direct bolt in for my 55 crown vic. Not looking for power. Just a replacement for my single. Want to drive this car with peace of mind. Thanks
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By charliemccraney - 10 Years Ago
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Do some research on the peace of mind part. I put a dual master cylinder in my truck. Several years ago, a failed flare resulted in a leak in the rear brake circuit. No brakes. Fortunately I was in my driveway at low speed when this happened. Similar experiences have happened to others on this site.
I'm not saying that a properly setup dual system is no safer than the single, but there is clearly more to the picture than simply swapping the master cylinder. What is it? I don't know. Some suggested the brake pedal ratio. I haven't researched that.
My advice, if you do swap without knowing that it is done correctly, don't let it give you a false sense of security.
That's a 4 bolt master cylinder, right? I don't think there is a direct replacement dual master cylinder for the 4 bolt pattern. The '61 to, I think '66 trucks use a plate which mounts to the firewall with 4 bolts and has two studs for the 2 bolt master cylinder. If the dimensions are right, that plate should allow you to mount a conventional 2 bolt master cylinder.
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By Rowen - 10 Years Ago
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Hummm....well the single that's on it now IS brand new. Just replaced when I purchased the car. Its just that a got a ill scare last weekend when a blankity blank blank cut me off!!! Being a new owner of a car that I LOVE, I just couldn't bare wrecking her!! I want to keep her as original as I can, thus, no power booster, etc..ok Charlie, I will defer to more experienced minds. Thanks
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By paul2748 - 10 Years Ago
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A dual master cylinder is not going to help you stop in a shorter distance. You don't need a 4 bolt unit, a two bolt unit will do - at least in cars it's ok, I'm assuming the master in your truck is not that much different..
If your keeping drum bakes all around, make sure you get a master for all drum brakes. Call ECI in Connecticut for a recommendation. Also Master Power brakes (I think that's the name).
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By Grumpy1 - 10 Years Ago
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DUAL BOWL MASTER CYLINDER CONVERSION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXfXKlj2D1I
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By slumlord444 - 10 Years Ago
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Many seem to think that a dual master cylinder is an absolute necessity for safety reasons. I am not saying it is a bad idea but I am 70 and have been driving since I was 15. Never had a problem with a single master cylinder and the only one I personally have heard of was a neighbor who had a new '56 scruby that the master cylinder failed. The only personal problem I ever had was when a rear brake line failed on my '74 Ranchero because it rusted through on a hard stop. Scared the heck out of me. Finally got it stopped but if there had been anything in front of me I would have hit it and hit and it would not have ended well. With silicone brake fluid there is much less chance of master cylinder or wheel cylinder failure. I have had master cylinders and wheel cylinders leak but never had a catastrophic failure. Just my two cents worth.
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By miker - 10 Years Ago
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Slumlord, I'm only 5 years behind you. I had a broken brake line on the rear axle of my 55 bird in 1968. I'd just left town traffic, and was on the back roads going home. Got lucky.
That said, I had a rear wheel cylinder fail on a 1968 Volvo in 1971 or so. I had very little braking using just the front disc, and this was a factory designed system by one of the firms that developed dual systems. So dual systems aren't a cure all. My current hot rods are the same way. More than once I've pulled out of the garage and carefully tested the brakes, and found out one end or the other isn't bled or adjusted right, and there's not much there. Even so, all the cars have dual systems-something is better than nothing.
If you're on the west coast, I've had good luck with these guys. Not knocking MPB, just shipping cost.
http://www.abspowerbrake.com/index.html
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 10 Years Ago
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When I converted my car to Granada disc brakes, just used the, off the shelf, dual master for a standard brake, 1977 Granada. It bolted right up to the firewall and even the brake pedal rod was the correct length. Just removed the "Tee" fitting on my brake lines and coupled two new lines up to the Master. I used a Willwood adjustable proportioning valve for the rear brakes, but I have read that you don't even need this if you are retaining your stock rear wheel cylinders (?)
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By Rowen - 10 Years Ago
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Thanks for the link grumpy, I watched all 3 parts and it seems very straight forward. Do you know if the gentleman in the video was correct when he said he thought the same parts would fit a 55-56? If so, this is a project i know I can accomplish. Being new to the hobby I want to do as many of these things myself as I can. Thanks for ALL the responses I got
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By '60 Fairlane - 10 Years Ago
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Hello all, first let me say that I have not done the dual master cylinder conversion. I have been researching it though and do plan to do the up grade.
That said I believe it is the combination valve, typically down by or on the frame rail of an OE dual system, that is the key. The combination valve is what isolates one side of the system from the other during a failure. With out it there isn't much difference between a fruit jar master or a dual.
I've had one ride in a Maverick, years ago, where the brakes failed. Don't remember which end. The factory system worked. It wasn't great, but I was able to limp home. Good luck with it and let us know what you wind up doing. -Dave.
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By carl - 10 Years Ago
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I do not have a dual master cylinder on my 56 Ford and really don't see the point of it,if my brakes fail I will just use the emergency brake that Ford put in there for that reason.I know a lot of the younger generation call them a parking brake but it is a emergency brake.Just my opinion. Carl
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By Dave V - 10 Years Ago
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I had researched a few years ago and found that a 67 Mustang dual master cylinder would fit my 56 Victoria and is sized properly for drum brakes. Was an easy swap. Dave V
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By Pete 55Tbird - 10 Years Ago
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I have had 3 or 4 total brake failures the old cars I had when I first drove. It is NO FUN. I converted my Tbird to disk brakes and a dual master cylinder. A proper dual IS SAFE and you only lose the 2 wheels in that side of the system. You can add a proportioning valve to balance brake balance and a switch to show one side has failed but my experience has been you do have brakes. See this " How stuff works master cylinder and combination valve" article for a better explanation. Pete
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By Meandean - 10 Years Ago
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I'm sure I've experienced brake failure back in the day, but it was always pulling out from a parking situation so was immediately aware of it. I do remember driving home from high school with no brakes in a 1960 VW beetle very cautiously using the downshifting gears and the emergency brake. Also remember once one of my Dad's junkers popped a leak in one of the rear lines. He snipped the line with a cutting pliers and bent it over on itself, then proceeded to clamp a vice grip on the line, fill the master cylinder, pump up the pressure and limp home.
That said, I don't intend to mess with my '55. It's so very very stock. And the single systems served well for all those years, so I really have no fear of it.
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By Rowen - 10 Years Ago
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Hiya Carl! This Rowen, the shop manual guy. I understand you not wanting to change year master cylinder, I have seen the pics you sent me of that beauty! But you don't drive that car as a daily do you!! As a "show" car ALL original means just that and I appreciate it. But as I said, I will be driving mine literally daily, in traffic! The piece of mind, whether real or imagined is worth the minor changes from stock. However, I have been driving it fairly regularly on the weekends and she has been starting right up for me so the 12volt "upgrade" is no longer going to happen.
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By Ted - 10 Years Ago
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My ’66 Fairlane (with a single stage master cylinder) had a rear brake failure several years ago while the car was being backed up on a downhill grade. When the brakes were applied, the rear wheel cylinder gave up and before the car could be stopped, it collided with another vehicle. If that ‘66 had come with the very next year’s upgrade of a dual master cylinder, then there would have still been enough brake system remaining to have stopped the car in time. I’m all for dual master cylinders but if retrofitting them to vehicles that did not originally come with them, then they need to be properly sized for those cars braking systems.
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By Rowen - 10 Years Ago
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Thanks ted, im not going to change from original drums. I DO want to keep her as stock as possible. According to the videos I watched and a couple posts here, it seems the 67 mustang dual will work with both front and back without a portioning valve. You really know your stuff when it comes to these y block powers cars. Tell me sir, what is your opinion/suggestion? Both would be greatly valued. Thanks
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By '60 Fairlane - 10 Years Ago
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Hi, Rowen. I can understand not wanting to change from 4 wheel drums. When my '60 Fairlane was my daily driver, I became rather fond of the way the drums felt and responded when everything was properly adjusted.
I'd suggest looking at a shop manual -like 1967 Full Size or Mustang, and see how Ford set in up. Then try to due about the same thing. It's basically my plan. -Dave.
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By carl - 10 Years Ago
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Rowen (4/5/2015)
Hiya Carl! This Rowen, the shop manual guy. I understand you not wanting to change year master cylinder, I have seen the pics you sent me of that beauty! But you don't drive that car as a daily do you!! As a "show" car ALL original means just that and I appreciate it. But as I said, I will be driving mine literally daily, in traffic! The piece of mind, whether real or imagined is worth the minor changes from stock. However, I have been driving it fairly regularly on the weekends and she has been starting right up for me so the 12volt "upgrade" is no longer going to happen. Yes Rowen you are right I don't drive my 56 as a daily driver just put 3.000 miles on it last year,just enough to change oil,bleed and adjust brakes before good weather gets here Carl
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By Rowen - 10 Years Ago
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3000 miles is not a few Carl. For a car that beautiful, to me, that is significant!! I saw the trophy you folks took home and I congratulate you!! You must love her a lot!! How long ago was she restored? Did you do the work yourself?
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By Rowen - 10 Years Ago
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Morning Carl, hope year Easter was fabulous!! Just wanted to say that for this conversation we should switch over to "this n that" don't want ta make anyone angry with these post about how purty our cars are on the tech forum. Looking forward ta hearin how ya got yer car so nice!! Ttyl Rowen
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