Can anyone tell me if or where I can find a kit for a firewall mounted master cylinder? I've found lots for under the floor but none for the firewall...

Thanks!

 

Mid-fifties shows them in their catalog

 

Got mine from Fatrodder on Ebay for less than half of the mid-Fifty price. Haven't installed it yet, but it looks like a decent unit:



Less than $200 to your doorstep right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-...53556978QQrdZ1

 

You can use many from the junk yard with slight modifications, such as drilling holes to line up with bottom of your dash. I have used ones from Chryser 5th Avenue and Ford vans/pickups.
Of course that $200 unit above looks nice for the money and lack of hassle.

 

I used the one from FatRodder on Ebay. just replaced the corvette master with a chrome hotrod version he sells as well. Finished the brake lines tonight and will bleed it tomorrow.

I did NOT get the pedal pivot that screws onto the booster rod with mine, but they sent one after I called.

For $169 is was a great deal!..

Sam

 

Sdetweil, I'd sure like to see some install pictures of the Fatrodder master. I just bid on one which I assume means I bought it. Does it come with any instructions or am I on my own? BTW, your truck is really looking good!

PS

 

I'll take some pictures.. there were no instructions, but its pretty obvious.

there is a little plate that fits on the outside of the firewall, and straddles the ridge that runs down the face of the firewall. this helps balance the MC side to side. Of course that pretty much gives you the position of the booster/master left to right.. then on the inside, the bracket bolts to the dash lower edge (you supply the bolts), and that pretty much sets the up/down.. match those two and cut one hole in the center and drill four holes for the booster, and voila..

I had a 100lb magnet that I set the bracket on at the firewall which helped a lot. Niolon used a fancy greenlee punch to cut the big center hole, but I just drilled a 1 in hole, then used my sabre saw to cut it out and die grinder to smooth the edges.

The biggest work for me was bending the brake pedal arm to clear the steering column. SO I had to do this in steps. get the column installed, position the gas pedal, then get the brake pedal in the right place, then cut the holes. Use my torch to heat the arm and widen the offset bend.

I used a Billet Specialties column drop, and had to get longer bolts (from Home Depot) to got thru the drop, dash and bracket.

Sam

 

Sam, what colume did you use? I'm also doing the Toyota power steering along with the power brakes on a stock straight axle with a disk kit. All this stuff needs to work together so I need to plan carefully. I also plan on retaining the Y-block and going with an adaptor to an AOD. I'm in the build sheet mode.

PS

 

I used an Ididit column with a Volare clip.

Sam

 

Thanks Sam!

 

I updated my gallery to add a section on this hanging pedal assembly.
Had to pull the headers to get into the frame rail for the brake lines.

I finished bleeding the brakes today, so I am just a radiator away from a road trip around the block.. took 6 years! (darned kids and their cars interupting my fun!)

Sam

 

dang Sam,

I remember when we were doing suspension together... I'm back at a bare frame and you're taking a road trip.... not fair Sam, not fair

John

 

But I learned from you John.. you gotta have a reward period after all the work.. so, altho I'm a long way from done, and may have some rework cycles to go (see I pay attention here too!).. I just GOTTA take it for ONE spin...

(that and the guy three houses away has this really decent lookin 5 window chevy truck just back from paint!.. THAT is NOT FAIR.. NOW he is working on the 6 cyl engine.. a SIX in a TRUCK.. as if!)..

and, I got no gauges, no glass, no bed, no fancy wheels and tires

Sam

 

Sam, Thanks for the updated gallery showing the master install. Pictures really are worth a thousand words.

PS

 

Just my 2 cents, but If God intended the 56 and earlier trucks to have firewall mounted cylinders, he would not have made the 57-60s with almost identical firewalls and cabs. For a kit, use the parts out of a '57-60. However, it is against this forum's group think to tell anyone that:
1. You do not need a booster with discs.
2. Pedals through the floor show better builder expertise, IMO.
3. Two master cylinders of the correct piston size are better than any dual cylinder with a booster.

I put many old cars and trucks together with discs and I truly despise firewall mounted cylinders and boosters. But then, I can put discs on without big costs and kits. So can you. No, I don't think I am superior, but I am an old rod builder, and that explains why the thump of a through the floor pedal is music to my ears.

Regards,

Alanco