Dual master cylinder for drum bakes

[Topsterguy]

I want to change the single master cylinder on my 36 coupe to a dual one. It's a "survivor" so I'm staying with the 4 wheel juice drum brakes which are off a 48 Ford. What would be the best master cyl to use for this? I was thinking about the common 67-72 mustang that most use for disc / drum but would that work? Thanks!

[Firepower flyer]

I did the conversion on my stock 1950 F1. I made my own adapter and used the 67-72 Mustang master and it works perfect.

[JSeery]

The mustang master cylinder comes in two versions, Disc/Drums and Drums/Drums. Use the Drum/Drum version.

[V8COOPMAN]

Great idea........IF your pedal arrangement still allows for the ADDITIONAL stroke that will be required IF one side of your system springs a leak! MANY folks don't realize that dual M/Cs.....IF pressure is lost on one side..........require a LONGER stroke THAN NORMAL to create pressure in the side of the system that is still closed-tightly. TEST for this after your installation. DD

[Mart]

Stock master cylinder bore is 1-1/16" bore. The Mustang cylinders mentioned are 1" bore. You will/should experience longer pedal travel if you swap one in. To be perfectly frank, the single system ought to serve perfectly well.
I removed the Mustang cylinder on my roadster and fitted a 1-1/16" unit from a E250 van. The brakes are better as they are working in the sweet spot of the pedal. With the Mustang cylinder the pedal was low before the brakes were on properly. The E250 cylinder is substantially bigger than the Mustang though.

My coupe has a single circuit stock ford type cylinder. I don't worry at all about it. These hobby cars are pampered and kept in good fettle. The risk of failure is very low. Much lower than when cars were literally run into the ground with no maintainance. There is a strong possibility that the pedal travel available is not enough to operate a dual cylinder anyway, in the case of a converted system. OE manufacturers can build in the travel right from the drawing board. If one side fails, the pedal goes half way down before starting to put the other half on. With a typical conversion, chances are the pedal will hit the floor before the remaining brakes are on properly.

(Acknowledgement to V8coopman for alluding to this above.)

A well maintained single circuit system will work just as well, possibly better than an ill thought out conversion. Back it up with a proper well maintained emergency brake and you have dual brakes. One hydraulic circuit and one mechanical.

Mart.

[RandyZ]

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1967 is only year that a Ford Galaxie had 4 wheel drum brakes and dual system. I'm just in the process of converting a 64 Galaxie over. Using a Raybestos MC36231 master cylinder. Best price I found was on Amazon. Cheaper than Rock auto.
At this point I can't tell you how well it works until the brake booster comes back from rebuild.

[Talkwrench]

As V8coopman and Mart says.. You have to be careful and don't think just by having a dual circuit system is going to save you. It can be done don't get me wrong but there are many things to consider. I just kept an American made single cyl master cyl and mine is driven HARD every day.

[Bassman/NZ]

I use the drum/drum version. I think it's 1966. Works great.

[PeterC]

Originally Posted by Topsterguy

I want to change the single master cylinder on my 36 coupe to a dual one. It's a "survivor" so I'm staying with the 4 wheel juice drum brakes which are off a 48 Ford. What would be the best master cyl to use for this? I was thinking about the common 67-72 mustang that most use for disc / drum but would that work? Thanks!

In my 35 3 Window we used a 1967 Ford Fairlane 1" bore Drum/Drum set up with original Lincoln Bendix brake set up with 1939 pedal set up - the braking is incredible. (click in picture to enlarge)

[Topsterguy]

Originally Posted by Mart

Stock master cylinder bore is 1-1/16" bore. The Mustang cylinders mentioned are 1" bore. You will/should experience longer pedal travel if you swap one in. To be perfectly frank, the single system ought to serve perfectly well.
I removed the Mustang cylinder on my roadster and fitted a 1-1/16" unit from a E250 van. The brakes are better as they are working in the sweet spot of the pedal. With the Mustang cylinder the pedal was low before the brakes were on properly. The E250 cylinder is substantially bigger than the Mustang though.

My coupe has a single circuit stock ford type cylinder. I don't worry at all about it. These hobby cars are pampered and kept in good fettle. The risk of failure is very low. Much lower than when cars were literally run into the ground with no maintainance. There is a strong possibility that the pedal travel available is not enough to operate a dual cylinder anyway, in the case of a converted system. OE manufacturers can build in the travel right from the drawing board. If one side fails, the pedal goes half way down before starting to put the other half on. With a typical conversion, chances are the pedal will hit the floor before the remaining brakes are on properly.

(Acknowledgement to V8coopman for alluding to this above.)

A well maintained single circuit system will work just as well, possibly better than an ill thought out conversion. Back it up with a proper well maintained emergency brake and you have dual brakes. One hydraulic circuit and one mechanical.

Mart.

Good points for sure! Thanks!

[Topsterguy]

Originally Posted by RandyZ

1967 is only year that a Ford Galaxie had 4 wheel drum brakes and dual system. I'm just in the process of converting a 64 Galaxie over. Using a Raybestos MC36231 master cylinder. Best price I found was on Amazon. Cheaper than Rock auto.
At this point I can't tell you how well it works until the brake booster comes back from rebuild.

Yup, ordered one from Amazon today! Thanks!

[Topsterguy]

Originally Posted by PeterC

In my 35 3 Window we used a 1967 Ford Fairlane 1" bore Drum/Drum set up with original Lincoln Bendix brake set up with 1939 pedal set up - the braking is incredible. (click in picture to enlarge)

VERY nice ! Thanks!

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by RandyZ

1967 is only year that a Ford Galaxie had 4 wheel drum brakes and dual system.....

!967 was the first year for a dual master, but 4 wheel drum brakes were offered on big Fords up through '72, and later on some smaller Fords.

[Ol' Ron]

I think pre 74 F-100 PU's had them as well. I know the 74 PU had non power disk/drum MS as well. This was an option. PB were standard in 75. All this is by memory, hope it right.

[Topsterguy]

Great ideas....thanks everyone ! Larry

[JSeery]

The Master Cylinder I have used is the Mustang 67-70 & Ford Custom-LTD 67-72. I've used the Bendix 11485 but the others listed should cross-reference.

BENDIX 11485

FORD C9AZ2140D
RAYBESTOS MC36222
ACDelco 174307
WAGNER F73323
WAGNER MC73323
AUTOSPECIALTY M81017
CENTRIC 13062011
DORMAN M73323
NAPA 36222
CARQUEST E73323

[Topsterguy]

Originally Posted by JSeery

The Master Cylinder I have used is the Mustang 67-70 & Ford Custom-LTD 67-72. I've used the Bendix 11485 but the others listed should cross-reference.

BENDIX 11485

FORD C9AZ2140D
RAYBESTOS MC36222
ACDelco 174307
WAGNER F73323
WAGNER MC73323
AUTOSPECIALTY M81017
CENTRIC 13062011
DORMAN M73323
NAPA 36222
CARQUEST E73323

Great ifo - saved it. Thanks!