Need opinions on Master Cylinder

[Nick Vigorito]

I have a 67 Corvette without power brakes. I am going to be change out the incorrect master cylinder with a correct rebuilt 509 unit. I have 2 different ones. One is stainless sleeved and the other is brass sleeved The stainless one is nicer looking in that is has a much sharper 509 and DC stamp, and also the markings that are on the brake line side are also much sharper. If it matters any, the brass sleeved one has been sitting for about 6 months since it was rebuilt and the stainless one about 18 months since it was rebuilt.

I would like to use the stainless one since it looks better. I have been told that the micro-finish of the stainless steel will "file" away the rubber cup of
the piston. The brass, on the other hand, is a self-lubricating metal and
will not do this.

Any of you guys have an opinion on which one I should use? Thanks!

Nick

[Rob A.]

Re: Need opinions on Master Cylinder

With regard to the stainless vs. brass sleeved, if you only drive your car occasionally the stainless is the right choice. It can sit for extended periods of time without any problems.

[Chuck S.]

Self-Lubricating??!! Brass??!!...Wot Thuh??

Micro-finish "files away" the rubber cups??!! Nick, this guy told you this, he didn't spit tobacco juice on your shoe did he?

If it were me, I would clean up the nice MC real well and use it. Ebay the other one, and forget about it...by the time that "micro-finish files away the rubber cups", your heirs will be driving the car if the stainless sleeving was done properly in the first place.

P.S. I might believe that brass has a lower tendency to gall and adhere to other metals, but I can't see "self-lubricating". Brass or bronze bushings will fail without lubrication; it takes longer and does less damage, but the machinery is still down.

[Joe L.]

Re: Need opinions on Master Cylinder

Nick-----

I prefer brass sleeved master cylinders. However, there's not really a lot of difference in terms of performance or durability between brass and stainless; certainly, nothing that's ever going to effect you. If the stainless-sleeved master cylinder is a cosmetically better core, then I'd probably use it.

[Craig S.]

Re: Need opinions on Master Cylinder

Joe - I did the brass sleeve on my 67's 509....I always wondered what would be the rationale for brass in the MC vs SS in the calipers....is it that the brass is less likely to gall the coating on the aluminum piston and the MC strokes much more than the minor travel on the cailipers? That would be my assumption anyway....Craig