Technical Need a master cylinder that fits a 1959 Chrysler

I put a SSBC disk brake kit on my 1959 Chrysler. The master cylinder they provide does not fit below the brake booster that Chrysler uses on these cars. There is about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch clearance between the booster and the master cylinder without the cover on. Has anyone else ran into this problem or is it just me?

Thanks. Neal

 

My 56 Chrysler has the same type booster, and I converted to a dual circuit system using a master cylinder from a 67 Charger. The lid is tight under the booster, but it does work. I've got about 1/4 inch of clearance above the bail with the cover on. Why don't you have the vacuum reservoir connected to the booster?

 

Picture of 67 Charger master cylinder in 56 New Yorker

 

I was away for a few days but I appreciate your feedback.

I think the master cylinder that SSBC provided in their kit is for a '67 Mustang. Update, I was wrong, the master that SSBC provided is the one from the Charger. The '59 must be a little different than the '56 since I did not have the clearance needed. I will check on the one that you are using. Being tight on clearance is o.k. as long as I can get the cover in there.

I don't have the vacuum can hooked up because many years back I broke the tee and couldn't find one at the time. Have not changed it back.

Thanks again.

Neal

 

My vacuum reservoir has two nipples, one of which connects to the intake and has a check valve in line, and the other connects to the booster. I'd sure reconnect that reservoir as soon as you can.

 

I am posting this as an update to this thread and maybe help out someone in the future who comes across it using the search tool.

I replaced the master cylinder that SSBC provided with one that has a remote reservoir. Bought it off ebay from tomsclassics. They are auto city classic glass out of Minnesota. It has a 1 1/8 inch bore which is the same as the Charger master clinder from SSBC. The remote master is a two bolt master so I bought an adapter to go from the two bolt to the four bolt pattern used by Chrysler.

I extended the push rod about 1/8 inch. I found that I needed all the stroke that I could find to keep the pedal off the floor so I extended it as much as I could to remove any slack.

Something to make note of is that the inverted flare fittings for the remote master is reversed from that of the Charger master. The 1/2 inch and the 9/16 fittings have to be reversed and also the 9/16 fitting used on the Charger master has a thread pitch of 20 and the remote master has a thread pitch of 18. If I am not explaining this well, remember, the front fitting on the master is for the rear brakes, the rear fitting on the master is for the front.

Another thing for the record. When changing the master cylinder from what Chrysler had I lost the port for the brake light switch. I used an inverted flare trailer tee and installed it into the 1/2 inch port of the master cylinder. I drilled out the side port of the tee and tapped it for a 1/4 inch pipe thread which is what Chrysler used for their brake light switch.

After doing this, the brakes are working well. I can not lock up the brakes but it does stop fairly well. I definitely got rid of the problem that I was having with the front brake locking up. Still don't know what was the problem.

Neal