C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

86 Master cylinder reservoir replacement

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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 04:00 PM
  #1  
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Default 86 Master cylinder reservoir replacement

Does anyone have any tips on an easy way to put the stock reservoir back on a rebuilt master cylinder. I've got the rear reservoir on but cannot get the front cap and fluid tube that connects to the rear reservoir back on and connected.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 05:39 PM
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my 89 has 2 reservoirs. maybe you could put 2 on. I know they don't cost much.
My fluid leaks from the front to the back reservoir. I don't know if that is normal or not. It seeps out of the rear reservoir cap. I don't know if that means it needs rebuilbing or not.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 07:28 PM
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Jimbo,

Thanks for your reply. I think I will try putting on an additional reservoir. It would probably prove easier than putting on the origional cap and travel tube, although putting that rear reservoir on was not easy either.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 09:38 PM
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I used the method from the FSM, seemed to work fine.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 10:05 AM
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Agent 86, Thank you for the diagram. I will try this today. I'm starting to believe that the aftermarket gromets are to big for the origional reservoir.

Last edited by Von; Dec 7, 2009 at 10:22 AM. Reason: added statement
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 10:07 PM
  #6  
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When I did this job on my dual-reservoir master cylinder (89), I went through every four letter word in my vocabulary and invented a few new ones while I was at it. A little bit of brake fluid on the seals and lots and lots and lots of pushing. I didn't think they would clear the gasket either, but they eventually did. You have my sympathies - this was not a fun job.
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 11:59 PM
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I changed my master cyl, and the reservoir cracked after about a year.
I got a new one, and I used silicone spray and they sort of popped on easy.
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 06:32 AM
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When I re-did the single reservoir set-up on my 87, I went from the single to a double reservoir set-up. Took under an hour did it right on car. The parts for the single set-up with one reservoir are no longer available, mine was leaking at bottom of connection tube.
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 11:17 AM
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The hardest part about swapping the MC is those cups.....it's all downhill from there.

Use some 90w gear oil on the grommets when you start. Just spread a thin film on the grommets.

I only succeeded in getting the cups on, only after I got mad and went into destruct mode......then they slipped into place.
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Old Jul 25, 2013 | 11:57 PM
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where did you all buy the replacement cup i was trying to remove my old one smaller leak tank cracked in half
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Old Jul 26, 2013 | 02:53 AM
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The reservoirs are available at the usual Corvette parts suppliers.

I went to two reservoirs because I wanted to be able to see if the front or back brakes had a problem. One thing I have noticed is that the front reservoir fluid discolors faster than the rear fluid. The front brakes are obviously working harder.
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