Am I correct in saying that with the standard '66 brake master cylinder, an undetected leak in any of the lines could deplete all the brake fluid due to the single reservoir design?
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Re: '66 STD BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
yes. calipers most likely source of leak,mike -
Re: '66 STD BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
Before you think that is terrible, my '79 has two reservoirs just like all of the '67 and up Corvettes and like most GM cars. However, on the '79, the two are connected. Fill one, it fills both.Comment
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Re: '66 STD BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
Mike------
I'm completely unfamiliar with the configuration that you describe. On 65-66 PB master cylinders and ALL 67-82 master cylinders the dual resevoirs in the master cylinder are completely seperate. They are not interconnected in any way. Each has to be filled completely seperately. It is true that you only have to remove one cap on 67-82 master cylinders, but the resevoirs are still completely seperate.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: '66 STD BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
an undetected leak in any of the lines could deplete all the brake fluid due to the single reservoir design?
No, an undetected leak will not deplete your brake fluid. If your brake fluid is depleted, you have detected a leak.
The biggest danger with losing your brakes completely and suddenly on a mid-year is blowing out your main front/rear line which in many cases is ready to go if it hasn't been replaced. If it has been replaced, I wouldn't worry too much about sudden brake failure.Comment
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Re: '66 STD BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
Mike,
If you disconnected one of the brake lines, say the right front and pumped the pedal enough all the brake fluid would be enptied from the master cylinder and the pedal would go to the floor. Doesn't it follow then, that if you had a leak the same thing could happen and you'd have no brakes? I'm not having any brake problems, I'd just like to know...Comment
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Re: '66 STD BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
It sure surprised the heck out of me. Here is a description, as it is always possible the MC isn't original or even Corvette. The rest of the car is mainly original, kind of slipped under the normal changes everyone made in that it still has even the original breather hoses to the ductwork and all of that. Real pain to work on. So I just assumed the MC was original or at least original style.
Right side casting number S468309 (best I can tell). The first looks like an S not a 5, but again it is hard to read.
Comparing this to my '68 MC with casting 5460346 stamped PG.
'68 - inside divided two chambers, front slightly larger, straight divider wall about 1/4 inch thick.
'79 - inside divided two chambers, front larger, 1/4 inch divider wall at top, with a sloped section about 3/8 inch down on back side. This has an opening that looks like an elongated hole straight down that allows fluid between both chamber to a leverl roughly 1/2 inch from the floor.
The measurements are rough approximation, as the fluid is murky and I can't see them that well, plus no ruler.
It appears the opening is designed to equalize fluid levels such as one side began to lose fluid, so that you could get fluid to the other longer, yet once it hits the critical level 1/2-3/4 inch from the floor, the chambers are isolated again.Comment
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Re: '66 STD BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
Rob:
ANY LEAK whether undetected or not will eventually result in a loss of brakes with the single cylinder. Most leaks in brake systems are of the weep, seep variety. They will give some warning of loss of brakes such as a low pedal. A sudden failure such as rupture of a rusty brake line will give no warning and you will lose hydraulic pressure very quickly.
I had a dual master cylinder fail on a '69 Chevelle and it had no brakes on either end.Comment
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