Master Cylinder Rebuild
 

Many years ago I replaced the master cylinder when I had the calipers redone with SS sleeves. Don't know why I didn't do the MC too. The original MC has been sitting on a shelf with a coating of oil and grease. So today I decided to start a rebuild, but the inner piston is stuck solid. I tried 150 psi of air and it didn't budge. I looped a piece of stainless cable over the end of the piston but still not able to pull it out of the bore. It's soaking in a bath of PBblaster right now while I calm down. Any tricks or suggestions to offer? When I get it out, I'm going to have it SS sleeved like the calipers. And by the way, I have removed the small bolt in the bottom of the fluid reservoir.
Duane

Any suggestions, anyone?
Duane

I had the same problem when I rebuilt mine. I soaked mine in solvent and then used a long needle nose pliers to to free the rear piston when you pull it out you will see why the prison was stuck with all the crud behind the piston

Thanks for the reply. It's soaking right now. I think I'll let it soak for another day or two. Then I'll need to get some loooong needle nose pliers. The piston is all the way down in the bore. Thanks.
Duane

Why not let the SS installer handle it. It would probably take them just a couple of minutes to do the job.

That's exactly what I should do, but you know how most of us are when we get going on something and want to solve the problem. I'd like to drop it off to have it sleeved with the piston out so they don't mess something up and tell me my MC is no good.:ack:
Duane

Where are you having it sleeved?

My 2 cents is the MC will then last forever, except for maybe a rebuild after many years of service, and the original stays with the car.

I haven't looked into that yet. Years ago I had my calipers sleeved at Stainless Steel Brakes in Clarence, N.Y. which is a 15 minute drive from my home. However, the last time I stopped by their place, they had changed to a large corporation (typical) and the fellow that I talked to in the front office said they no longer deal directly with the public. Only deal with companies that sell their products. Guess I'll have to look for someone who does the sleeving, as I want my original MC back when done.
Duane

Oops, read it wrong. Anyway, I had mine done by Corvette Stainless Steel Brakes in Miami, FL., many, many, moons ago but they're still there.
800.262.9595

Jud,
Thanks for the number. I'll give them a call tomorrow morning. My intentions are to put the original MC back in so it does stay with the car. I'm 62 next month and don't plan on rebuilding it again.
Duane

You are welcome. Here's a little more on the company that 2 brothers own.
Thinking back on my experience with them, they actually sleeved 2 mc's for me, my 67's and later my 76's. Your original post got me thinking about having the piston stuck on the 67 that they installed the SS sleeve in.
What happened was I let the mc sit for a couple of years and then when I installed it on the car, one of the pistons was stuck. I took it back to them and I watched as one of the brothers (Luke, i believe) took the pistons out and actually had to carefully hone the sleeve to clean it properly before reinstalling the pistons and new seals. It took him some time to complete the job and yet he wouldn't take a penny for his work. Later on, I called him re a steering valve that I was rebuilding and couldn't get back together. He told me what I was doing wrong which solved the problem. Again, very helpful.
Anyway, here's their site. Jud

http://www.cssbinc.com/

I contacted CSSB but they no longer do sleeving of customer's master cylinders. They just sell a replacement. Sooo... does anyone else know of a reputable place that will install a SS sleeve? I did purchase a rebuild kit from CSSB. Received it last week and it's just what I need, but now I need the master sleeved. Suggestions? Thanks.
Duane

Yes, try Karp's power brakes in Upland California. They re-sleeved my master cylinder and a super quick turnaround. Also, I believe you can take the master cylinder into a parts place like Autozone or O'reilly's and they can send it in to Cardone and they will rebuild yours. I may be wrong about this but I believe I just read this a couple of days ago. Regardless, Karp's will do it. Also, if you do a search on Google for master cylinder resleeving, you will find a few places that do this work. Hope this helps.