I am told that the 51 Ford Shoebox has the master cylinder in the engine compartment on the firewall. If so, can the parts(z-bar, pedals, etc.) be transferred to a 49 or 50? Is the firewall reinforced where the master cylinder mounts & is it a bolt in or weld in plate? Thanks in advance for any info.
I don't know where you got your information, but it couldn't be more wrong. In '51, ford had the master cylinder under the floor, just like ''49 and '50. They went to hanging pedals in '54, I believe. The '54 Ford units were sometimes used in hot rods back in the day, they started a trend. In any event, it's a regular "Hot Rod" fabrication project, certainly not a bolt-in.
51 Vicky, first year of the Hardtop. No door post between the windows. Firewall all cleaned up and NO master cylinder mounted as in Factory Stock Stock Dash, Stock steering column as in 1951 Factory Stock. If you look closely, you can see the stock pad for the brake pedal. It comes up through the toe board, it does Not hang under the dash.
It is possible to rebuild a 49-51 Ford master cylinder without removing it. This includes cleaning, honing and putting a new kit in it.
Correct! So now the question of can it just be bolted in? NO, It's not just stick it up and drill a couple holes. Yes, it can be done but along with relocating the Master and Pedal Ford also changed the angle of the steering column. Adding the 52-56 style pedal system seems to have issues with the location of the 49-51 steering column. As I said, "yes it can be done but do your Homework before you just start drilling holes. I'm not sure why anyone would want to do this just to be able to check the Brake Fluid easier every couple years.
I put the GM dual master cylinder under the floor of my ‘51 and I have the remote reservoir under the hood on my inner fender. I love it, no more peeling the floor mat up and filling it on your hands and knees and better stopping power!!
Right on, now tell us how long and how many miles it's been trouble free. Mine has been just fine for 20 years and 86K miles. No Regrets.
Both of my Victorias have boosters and master cylinders under the floor but my 50 Crestliner has a 96 jeep booster and cylinder on the firewall.
For what it's worth, I have honed and cleaned and installed a new kit in the master cylinder on my '51 coupe up on my 4 post lift with the m/c still in the car. Wasn't too big of a deal and a lot easier than pulling the clutch and brake pedals loose. Dave
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