was the first year for disc but who cares. There were many different masters. 
Master Cylinder
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Master Cylinder
Hi I have a frankenstiened 1976 and 1979 that I didn't put together. I have a fun time figuring out what year stuff is when I fix things.
I am replacing the master cylinder. The existing cylinder has the pipes going out the driver side fender, with a larger reservoir. I have a Dana44HD axle with the double pistoned caliper. I tried to buy a new cylinder and the only one I can get has a smaller reservoir. Is this a problem? Or do I try harder to find the larger one?
Thanks.
I am replacing the master cylinder. The existing cylinder has the pipes going out the driver side fender, with a larger reservoir. I have a Dana44HD axle with the double pistoned caliper. I tried to buy a new cylinder and the only one I can get has a smaller reservoir. Is this a problem? Or do I try harder to find the larger one?
Thanks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Front disc brakes weren't factory available on the 4WD trucks until 1976. Prior to this, a Dentside 4x4 would have had 4-wheel drums.
The larger MC reservoir goes to the front (disc) brakes. The smaller MC reservoir goes to the rear (drum) brakes.
I don't generally recommend rebuilt MCs but, this is all that was listed for a '76 (I assume F250) with left hand ports and twin piston calipers.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b.../f-250?q=Brake
The larger MC reservoir goes to the front (disc) brakes. The smaller MC reservoir goes to the rear (drum) brakes.
I don't generally recommend rebuilt MCs but, this is all that was listed for a '76 (I assume F250) with left hand ports and twin piston calipers.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b.../f-250?q=Brake
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1973/79 F100/350: There were TWENTY TWO different brake pedals, NINETEEN different P/B boosters, SEVENTEEN different master cylinders and SEVEN different clutch pedals, I kid you not!
The master cylinder must match the brake pedal, all of which have ID engineering numbers stamped on them.
Lead Driver
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Steve is correct, 1976 was the first year that front disc brakes were available for F100/250 4WD's.
1973/79 F100/350: There were TWENTY TWO different brake pedals, NINETEEN different P/B boosters, SEVENTEEN different master cylinders and SEVEN different clutch pedals, I kid you not!
The master cylinder must match the brake pedal, all of which have ID engineering numbers stamped on them.
1973/79 F100/350: There were TWENTY TWO different brake pedals, NINETEEN different P/B boosters, SEVENTEEN different master cylinders and SEVEN different clutch pedals, I kid you not!
The master cylinder must match the brake pedal, all of which have ID engineering numbers stamped on them.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: San Jose, CA
I think they were referring specifically to 150's in at least one of the posts above. But I agree that I believe that at least for the 150's with single piston calipers it was a running change that started later in the '75 model year.
Sorry I did not keep the VIN number as it didn't matter to me at the time, but the truck I got my discs from way back when was registered as a '75.
I've seen DMV and Ford make mistakes of course, especially the DMV when re-registering a truck, but I've also seen many discrepancies in when a certain change was supposed to take effect, vs when it actually took effect.
Still, like the others said, at least the official starting year for disc brakes has always been acknowledged as '76. And NumberDummy probably has the exact VIN they started with.
But I'm with you in my experience being different.
In other words... The good old "Your Results May Vary" mantra plays here.
Paul
Sorry I did not keep the VIN number as it didn't matter to me at the time, but the truck I got my discs from way back when was registered as a '75.
I've seen DMV and Ford make mistakes of course, especially the DMV when re-registering a truck, but I've also seen many discrepancies in when a certain change was supposed to take effect, vs when it actually took effect.
Still, like the others said, at least the official starting year for disc brakes has always been acknowledged as '76. And NumberDummy probably has the exact VIN they started with.
But I'm with you in my experience being different.
In other words... The good old "Your Results May Vary" mantra plays here.
Paul
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
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From: San Jose, CA
Oh, and have a pic of your master by any chance Clinton?
They may have existed with all the masters that ND just mentioned, but on Fords I always saw the unequal sized reservoirs used. Larger in the rear (most of the time at least?) for the front brakes, and the smaller in the front for the rears.
Didn't matter disc or drum for the size. Even the drum brakes got a larger reservoir for the front brakes.
Looked like this:
(in this case the ports are opposite of yours)
Most GM vehicles had equal sized reservoirs on their full-size vehicles from at least the early sixties.
They are not specific to GM, but can work on others when sized correctly.
Looks like this:
(edit: oops, sorry for the large image size. This forum posts them up larger than I thought. Will reduce their size next time)
This one is brand new, with a 1.125" piston, with a deep bore for manual brakes but with the added insert (that bullet-looking thingy) for those boosters with short rods. Also has standard 3/16x24 ports on either side.
We sell them when something more universal, or "adaptable" is required and where this style and size can be made to work.
Also note the dual-bale vs single-bail wire holding the covers on?
Which one looks more like the one on yours?
Paul
They may have existed with all the masters that ND just mentioned, but on Fords I always saw the unequal sized reservoirs used. Larger in the rear (most of the time at least?) for the front brakes, and the smaller in the front for the rears.
Didn't matter disc or drum for the size. Even the drum brakes got a larger reservoir for the front brakes.
Looked like this:
(in this case the ports are opposite of yours)
Most GM vehicles had equal sized reservoirs on their full-size vehicles from at least the early sixties.
They are not specific to GM, but can work on others when sized correctly.
Looks like this:
(edit: oops, sorry for the large image size. This forum posts them up larger than I thought. Will reduce their size next time)
This one is brand new, with a 1.125" piston, with a deep bore for manual brakes but with the added insert (that bullet-looking thingy) for those boosters with short rods. Also has standard 3/16x24 ports on either side.
We sell them when something more universal, or "adaptable" is required and where this style and size can be made to work.
Also note the dual-bale vs single-bail wire holding the covers on?
Which one looks more like the one on yours?
Paul
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1973/79 F100 2WD: Manual disc brakes were standard equipment, power disc brakes were optional.
1973/79 Ford truck parts catalog lists front/rear DRUM brakes for 1973/75 F100/250 4WD
1976 was the first year for disc brakes for F100/250 4WD's and they were standard equipment.
I've been looking up parts for these trucks since they were brand new, so I know what's correct and what ain't!
A Marti Report (copy of the original FoMoCo build sheet) will list all the standard and optional equipment the truck came with.
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