I was wondering what kind of master cylinder one would install in a 56 Ford, no power brakes, and the process involved to put it and the balance valve on .. ??? Thanks ..

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

When I did my 59 Ford I used a master cylinder from a 68 Falcon with 4 wheel drum brakes. It bolted right in.

John F

Ballwin, MO

Thanks a ton .. I had forgot ya had to have one with drum brakes ..

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

If you have drum brakes you don't need a pressure balance valve.That's only used on front disc brakes.Whatever master you use just be sure it is for 4 wheel drum brakes.Theres a residual pressure check valve built into them to maintain line pressure thats not on the master used with disc brakes.Good luck Mark

  

You still have to put in a porportion valve don't you? Or do you just put the front line to one side and the back line to the other side?

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

No,If you are using drums all around and drum brake master you just need to split the system using connectors.Its the same system you have now just with a 2 chamber master instead of one.

  

If you are going with disc, I used a manual master cylinder from a 77 Granada (off the shelf at Napa). It was a straight bolt in, was even able to use the brake pedal rod supplied with the master. As for a proportioning valve, was told by "Drop & Stop" I don't need one, but I installed an adjustable one from Wilwood, just in case. Set it about the middle and it works great, my 56 will now stop on a dime, even with manual brakes!

Rob

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

Thanks guys .. so if I understand this right, the drill is to replace the existing master cylinder and then split the brake lines, and take the rear brake line to the smaller of the two reservoir and the front line to the larger one. Is there a brake light switch on there? I guess I could go out and look .. anyway, thanks .. you have no idea how good it is to have y'all on here. "Back in the day" I didn't have to worry about transferring old to new .. now my next thing is the vacuum wiper motor to electric .. I've only had this '56 since Feb. and so far I've found anything is possible if ya just throw enough money at it ...

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

You are correct about the brake lines, I was able to use my existing ones as they were in good shape. I simply removed the "T" fitting that the two lines joined into and used two couplors and extended each individual line up to the master. As for the brake light switch, I used another brass "T" fitting right off the large resevoir and mounted the original pressure switch right in line with the front brake line. Hopefully this helps.

Rob

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

You were mentioning electric wipers.I did mine last summer when I bought it because the vacuum weren't working anyway.2 speeds and even uses the existing switch knob.Bought it from Tee-Bird,about $225.00 I think.Fit exactly correct and uses existing wiper linkage.This is  on my 56 Fairlane and I recommend it highly.Good luck with your brake master.Hope we haven't completely confused you!Regards Mark