1962 Master Cylinder

[David H.]

I am in process of trying to rebuild the master cylinder on my '62 and have run into some unremovable rust and pits in the top of the cylinder. It was suggested to have White Post Restorations sleeve it and rebuild it. Cost of $195. However the attached NOS one is available. Looking at mine it appears to have a casting date stamp of 3/22/61 on it. The NOS one appears to have just a 64 stamped on it in the same place as my date stamp. That implies a 1964 date but according to the TIMJ guide it may be just a job lot number. Is this replacement a correct replacement or should I have mine sleeved and rebuilt? They are both the same casting number 5456 022 and part number 5454480 320-G but mine shows R5 next to the casting number and the NOS one shows D8. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks

[Mike E.]

Re: 1962 Master Cylinder

The biggest issue is the fact that the one you're looking at has a small 022, and yours and every other 62 built came with a large 022. That makes the lot/casting incidental.

[Christopher R.]

Re: 1962 Master Cylinder

1. Mike's right. '62 master cylinders should have the large "022."

2. I had a bad experience with White Post. White Post is very fast, and there's a reason for that. There are other people who do re-sleeve and rebuild these master cylinders. Apple is one.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1962 Master Cylinder

I am in process of trying to rebuild the master cylinder on my '62 and have run into some unremovable rust and pits in the top of the cylinder. It was suggested to have White Post Restorations sleeve it and rebuild it. Cost of $195. However the attached NOS one is available. Looking at mine it appears to have a casting date stamp of 3/22/61 on it. The NOS one appears to have just a 64 stamped on it in the same place as my date stamp. That implies a 1964 date but according to the TIMJ guide it may be just a job lot number. Is this replacement a correct replacement or should I have mine sleeved and rebuilt? They are both the same casting number 5456 022 and part number 5454480 320-G but mine shows R5 next to the casting number and the NOS one shows D8. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks

David------


Just as a curiosity, the NOS master cylinder was cast at the old GM Danville, IL foundry and is likely of malleable or ductle iron. The "D" with the "wagon wheel" confirms that.

The original master cylinder was cast at some other foundry, either a GM or outside foundry but likely a GM. I believe it is identified by the "R" casting mark. I have seen this same "R" casting mark on many 73-82 brake calipers. These were manufactured from gray iron so I presume that the foundry identified by the "R" poured gray iron and, thus, your original master cylinder is likely of gray iron material. I've never been able to identify what foundry is represented by the "R" casting mark, though. I'd love to know.

The difference in the size of the "022" might be related to the foundry. In other words, during certain years the Danville, IL foundry provided the castings for the C1 master cylinders and during other years, the foundry represented by the "R" provided the castings.

[John S.]

Re: 1962 Master Cylinder

the cylinder listed on ebay is a replacement for the 1956-57. the plastic cap was so one could take off the cap by hand.(information listed in nolan's restoration guide, page 122). now what i'm interested in learning if there was only one factory that supplied the master cylinders and wheel cylinders to the assembly plant in the earlier years(1953-1959)? the nos cylinder seemed like a bargain for a 56-57 owner. sold for $59.95!

[David H.]

Re: 1962 Master Cylinder

Thanks guys! Lots of good suggestions here. Found some other posts in the archives also that will help. I will try to use the orginal if I can. Maybe get it sleeved. I appreciate your input.
dlh

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1962 Master Cylinder

David,
I had my 62 master cylinder resleeved by WhitePost and it functions flawlessly and looks great. I will use them again.
I bench bleed it, installed it and have not touched it since.

[Dan D.]

Re: 1962 Master Cylinder

I had my 57 cylinder re-sleeved by White Post last year. I do not have the car back together yet, so I can't yea or na the quality, but it looks good and I believe it will be okay. And they do turn them in 24 hrs., - I don't care about that. Just keep in mind that "Billy" is anal about silicone fluid and will not warranty it if you use silicone. -Dan-

[Christopher R.]

Re: 1962 Master Cylinder

I had my 57 cylinder re-sleeved by White Post last year. I do not have the car back together yet, so I can't yea or na the quality, but it looks good and I believe it will be okay. And they do turn them in 24 hrs., - I don't care about that. Just keep in mind that "Billy" is anal about silicone fluid and will not warranty it if you use silicone. -Dan-

That was part of the problem I had with White Post. And it was DOT-5 (silicone) that saved me. The master cylinder I had re-sleeved and rebuilt from White Post exploded when I started to pressure bleed the system. I got to about 5-10 psi, and that plug in the front popped out spewing brake fluid all over the front of the car. Thank God it was silicone! When I called White Post on this, he was very defensive, and told me that wasn't his fault because they never go near that plug in their rebuilding process.

Well, then they should. For $300+, I expect a rebuilding process to go through the whole thing. Don't leave any operation out, and inspect everything. What if that plug fell out while I was driving the car? What's this about Billy anal about silicone? It doesn't say anything in their literature or Web site about that. &c, &c. Yeah, I don't want to hear it either. My point is that that White Post holds themselves out to be experts. The deal is you pay a high price so you never have to worry about the master cylinder again. My master cylinder came back looking better but operationally worse off than when I shipped it. This is brakes, guys. A safety item. The JG and turn around time are important. But safety trumps all that. White Post didn't care. They just wanted to CYA when I called.