Mr Fufu

Hi C1 guys,

What's the best way to add a dual master cylinder to a 1959?

I have a friend who owns a '59 who had a recent scary experience where the brake line to the rear wheels rotted out (pinholed) so he lost all braking due to the fact his car has the original single circuit master cylinder. He escaped disaster by using his parking brake and gearing down.

Is there a retrofit kit available? Which M/C is best to use?

Thanks,
-Alex

65GGvert

There are several, most come only with front disk upgrade. This is not a recommendation, just an example:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1953-62-CHE...-/171192519246

cbernhardt

For a "do it yourself" solution, search the C1 forum for "MOPAR".

hlvette

I did the dual master cylinder set up with the mopar unit. Someone on this site has a very good thread & instructions on how to do it. You need a few skills & tools, but it works very well.
I think the master cylinder I used was from a roadrunner. I also added disc brakes at the same time

61 Roadster

Corvette Central has nice Dual MC/Disc conversion kit: https://www.corvettecentral.com/c1-5...59%26count%3d9

65GGvert

Don't believe he is looking for disk brakes.

Drothgeb

You can add a dual master cylinder using the extension tube kit available at multiple Corvette parts suppliers. Works good, looks OK, but obviously aftermarket.

If you can do a little bit of fab work, the late 60s early 70s Mopar master cylinders can be modified to attach directly to the firewall. Works the same as with the extension tube,but looks better. Search on Mopar master cylinder to find the threads on it. Mine looked like this after the installation, took about a day to do it.

JF in MI

Don't know if the company is still in business; ABS Power Brake. They had a dual replacement master cylinder that looks like an original 50s master (part #81103). I'd buy one but I can't find them anymore.

cbernhardt

ABS is still in business (at least their website is still active)
http://abspowerbrake.com/
Here is a picture of the MOPAR dual MC on my '59.
Charles

dcamick

Works very well with my front brake disk add on.

kenba

Just make sure your origional brake system is in good shape. They will work gust fine for less money.

street62

Rather than modifying the mopar master for my 62 I made a 1/4 inch thick adapter plate so you can use the master as it is off the shelf with no modifications.

scotty t

you wouldn’t happen to have a picture or sketch of that would you? I’ve got a mental picture but there’s no need to re-invent it, even a good description would be nice. Thanks

Mr Fufu

Thanks guys for the excellent info on fitting a dual master cylinder onto a C1.

I'll relay this info to my buddy who'll be delighted to learn about it.

Maybe he'll join this forum too!

Cheers all,
-Alex

jerry gollnick

This is the AES unit.Just purchased it last month from AES. I'm using it on drum drum. No adaptor required. 1 inch cylinder as original very simple to just bolt up.

cbernhardt

Do you have a website for AES and/or a part number for the MC?

jerry gollnick

CaptainEgg

Street62, I too would like to see pictures or schematic of adapter, maybe you could make several and sell them, just a thought.
Thanks
Terry

cbernhardt

If someone has an unmolested MOPAR MC would you measure the rectangular mounting flange and post the measurements? It has been several years since I did the modification, but I seem to recall that I was going to try to do the same thing (make an adapter plate) but the MOPAR flange was too wide to fit in the fiberglass cutout.
Charles

jimh_1962

I have MP brakes setup. It works fine... I had to stomp on my brakes twice from other bad decision drivers.