After seeing the recent thread of rebuilding a single master cylinder, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76555, my memory was refershed of one of the things on my list to do this winter while I wasnt driving my 55 Buick Special much. It has the original single master cylinder (Manual brakes), and I would like to change it out for a dual for added safety. What have you Buick guys done? I know there is a kit made for 55-57 chevy's to do the upgrade, could there be any chance that some GM master cylinders were interchangable, and that one may work? Thanks, Chad
If I'm not mistaken, the master on the '55 is in the same place as on my '54--under the floor. I found out that it's the same style master cylinder as real early Corvettes--3 bolt mount flange. I called Master Power Brakes, and they have a kit for early vettes. It's basically a tube (about 6-inches long if I remember right) with a 3-bolt flange on one end, and 4-bolt flange on the other for a modern master. It's that way on the vette kit, because the stock master bolts right up tight in the firewall area, and they needed to move the larger 4-bolt/dual chamber master out away from the firewall for clearance. In our Buick application, you could make a smaller conversion bracket. I bolt it in place, make my own longer rod from the clevis that came with their kit and a piece of 1/4-inch rod (I threaded the end--don't buy Allthread!), and bolted it in. As a bonus, I ordered the remote-fill dual reservoir. The stock single chamber is filled through an access panel under the front carpet. What a pain in the ass! I put the remote reservoir under the hood, up between the battery and the radiator core support. I painted it black (it's plastic), and it almost disappeared. At some point I'll probably get a pair of metal reservoirs, just because they'll look better. Anyway, that should get you going. It was really easy going with the Master Power kit, because the master was already set up for Drum/Drum brakes. -Brad
Sounds good,Ill google Master Power and call them on monday, Ill let know know how it works out! My Master is in the same place, under the floor with the round access cover. Chad
Hello, Looking to upgrade the master on my '55 as well. Does anyone have and information on the parts used? Thank you.
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