Brake Problem
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Brake Problem
I recently replaced my master cylinder and brake booster of my '69 F-250. When I went to attach the brake lines to the master cylinder one of the fittings on the was too small to screw into the master cylinder. After some trial and error, I think I've got the master cylinder being a 5/16" and the brake line 1/4". My question is what's the best way to resolve this?
Do I just get any ol' bushing that has 5/16" male end and 1/4" female? Or do I need a special one designed for brake lines?
I've picked up some hardware from the parts store that may work, but it would require me to cut off my existing fitting. Which is kind of the last thing I want to do. The hardware I picked up has a compression fitting in it, my only experience with those are around the house (like on the ice maker).
Do I want to use this compression fitting? Will it hold enough that I will have brakes when I need them? If I do use the hardware I picked up do I need to flare the end of the brake line like I would with a normal brake line fitting? Or do I just cut off the old fitting and hook up the new hardware (no flaring) like I did with the ice maker on the refrigerator?
Do I just get any ol' bushing that has 5/16" male end and 1/4" female? Or do I need a special one designed for brake lines?
I've picked up some hardware from the parts store that may work, but it would require me to cut off my existing fitting. Which is kind of the last thing I want to do. The hardware I picked up has a compression fitting in it, my only experience with those are around the house (like on the ice maker).
Do I want to use this compression fitting? Will it hold enough that I will have brakes when I need them? If I do use the hardware I picked up do I need to flare the end of the brake line like I would with a normal brake line fitting? Or do I just cut off the old fitting and hook up the new hardware (no flaring) like I did with the ice maker on the refrigerator?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Do not use a compression fitting on a brake line.
You old master cylinder should have had an adapter fitting in it, and Napa sells them as well. Just tell them what you have, and they'll grab what you need.
It could also be that you got the wrong master. If your old one had reservoirs the same size, and this one has different sized ones, it's for disk brakes. That's ok if you converted the front end to disk brakes, and an important key. If this one has two the same size, and your old one had different sizes, that's bad. The calipers up front retain more and more fluid as the pads wear, and without that larger reservoir there is a possibility you could run out of fluid without notice, causing a brake failure.
You old master cylinder should have had an adapter fitting in it, and Napa sells them as well. Just tell them what you have, and they'll grab what you need.
It could also be that you got the wrong master. If your old one had reservoirs the same size, and this one has different sized ones, it's for disk brakes. That's ok if you converted the front end to disk brakes, and an important key. If this one has two the same size, and your old one had different sizes, that's bad. The calipers up front retain more and more fluid as the pads wear, and without that larger reservoir there is a possibility you could run out of fluid without notice, causing a brake failure.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
From: Western Canada
Ditto on Ford Six reply, NEVER use a compression fitting on brake lines. Adapters are available or just cut the wrong fitting out and replace with the correct one and reflare the tube, you could probably get a loaner tool at Napa or Autozone to do the reflare.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
1967/72 F100/350 with manual or power drum brakes:
There were TWELVE different master cylinders, the four that were used in 1967 are 1967 ONLY.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1968/72 F250/350 with power disc brakes:
There was ONE master cylinder.
===================
1969/70 F250 2WD with power drum brakes:
C9TZ-2140-H .. Master Cylinder
The two reservoirs are different sizes.
--------------------------------------
Some 1971 F250 2WD's with power drum brakes used C9TZ-2140-H.
Some 1971 F250 2WD's, all 1972 F250 2WD's with power drum brakes used: D2UZ-2140-A.
This master cylinder has both reservoirs the same size.
==================================
DOAZ-2140-C .. Master Cylinder
Fits: 1968/72 F250/350 with power disc brakes
Info source: 1964/72 FORD TRUCK PARTS CATALOG.
There were TWELVE different master cylinders, the four that were used in 1967 are 1967 ONLY.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1968/72 F250/350 with power disc brakes:
There was ONE master cylinder.
===================
1969/70 F250 2WD with power drum brakes:
C9TZ-2140-H .. Master Cylinder
The two reservoirs are different sizes.
--------------------------------------
Some 1971 F250 2WD's with power drum brakes used C9TZ-2140-H.
Some 1971 F250 2WD's, all 1972 F250 2WD's with power drum brakes used: D2UZ-2140-A.
This master cylinder has both reservoirs the same size.
==================================
DOAZ-2140-C .. Master Cylinder
Fits: 1968/72 F250/350 with power disc brakes
Info source: 1964/72 FORD TRUCK PARTS CATALOG.
New User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Hey numberdummy, I have a 71 F250 camper special. It has power front disc and rear drum. I am having trouble getting the correct master cyclinder and power booster. Can you give me or tell me where to get the correct part numbers to replace? Different auto part stores are giving me multiple parts and no one knows for sure which is correct. Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,564
Likes: 4
From: Tucson
Hey numberdummy, I have a 71 F250 camper special. It has power front disc and rear drum. I am having trouble getting the correct master cyclinder and power booster. Can you give me or tell me where to get the correct part numbers to replace? Different auto part stores are giving me multiple parts and no one knows for sure which is correct. Thanks
i had a chat with him over last weekend and he told me the news.... sad, i know. but thats the way it is.
New User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
thanks, for the sad info, I am a new member but have seen that numberdummy knows his stuff. If you talk to him could you ask him if I could email him, thank
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,564
Likes: 4
From: Tucson
all you need to do is click on his user name.... a info box will drop down and in the box it will say "send Numberdummy a e-mail" ask him your question and send it.
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