I have a 71 f250 crew cab 4x4 with a 360 4 speed. i need to replace my master cylinder. and was seeing what's all available. I'd like to eventually convert to disc brakes and power steering but for now its all stock drums. Is there any master cylinders that would be good to use on stock drum brakes and be able to use for disc brakes when I get some money for them? Any suggestions would be helpful

 

Drum brake and disc brake masters are different and not easily interchangeable. Unless you use a disc brake master and install a residual valve inline for the fronts while you are using it with your drum brakes. With the extra parts, plumbing work, hassle, etc, I don't see the benefit/savings. Then come the other variables, power or manual, proportioning valves, etc. Do yourself (and other drivers on the road) a favor, get a new drum master for now (they're fairly inexpensive) and get all the right stuff when you are ready to do the disc swap. Brakes are the absolute last thing that you should monkey with "on the cheap".
Just my 2 cents,
Gene

 

i agree on doing it right i was asking because i thought there would be a difference in the drum vs disc master cylinders and was seeing if there was one out there now available for either setup i will just stick with a drum cylinder for now then. wheres some good places to buy a new one at that is good quality and fit? another question i have is how hard would it be to convert to power brakes from the manual setup? what's all involved in doing this swap?

 

Bump for some good replacement master cylinders

 

I just bought a new master for my 72. It has power assist with front disc brakes. When I ordered it the tech asked me if I had front disc's. I wasn't aware that there was a difference with the master cylinders regarding types of brakes on the front and I didn't think to ask if the part number was different.

I'm lucky to have a NAPA auto parts place very close to me with knowledgable guys behind the desk. If I had gone to Autozone I can guarantee I probably would have ended up with the wrong part.

Sorry, just rambling but I have noticed in the past 10 years that the biggest challenge in doing my own work is getting the right parts to begin with from crappy know nothing vendors!

 

is there any manufacturers i should stay away from? because of poor quality/ stop working shortly after install. when ordering a new master cylinder. i read a thread here saying about someone bought one from napa and it was junk. i forget what brand it was