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Old 03-02-2026, 10:34 AM   #10
DNLs1930
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Fort Worth side of DFW
Posts: 194
Default Re: 1950 Ford Custom Brake Master Cylinder

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flathead Fever View Post
I would definitely flush all the old brake fluid out. On a vehicle that is driven regularly you are supposed to replace the fluid every two-years because the brake fluid attracts moisture. I was a fleet mechanic for 30-years. What we did was drain the master cylinder and fill it with new fluid. Then as we were changing the brakes we would open up the cylinder on that wheel and let the old fluid gravity drain out while we were changing the lining. I would look at the rear of that master cylinder and make sure it's not leaking from the rear seal. It's normal for the brake fluid to squirt up as the pedal returns, that's just the fluid returning back to the resevoir, If you have a bad gasket it can slosh out and empty your resevoir You want to really keep an eye on single systems, you hace no emergency secondary resevoir to stop it with like modern cars There's nothing wrong with a single systems "if" they are maintain.

Ok so found the leak! Pretty sure the fluid is leaking from the master cylinder which is no surprise really. The "oil" under the car was in fact part brake fluid probably coming from the push rod. I haven't removed all the mud shield to verify but it will be removed when the Master cylinder is replaced.


After reading the replies here I decided to replace the entire system minus the hard lines. I purchased the ShoeBox Central "kit" with all the wheel cylinders, hoses, linings and hardware so the car should be good to go brake wise for a while.


ANY TIPS on a full system replacement? My plan is to open all the lines bleed all the old fluid out cap them off to prevent contamination, replace the master cylinder and each wheel hose, cylinder linings and hardware. THEN bleed the entire system with the new master cylinder installed...


Any issues you guys can see? Different sequence maybe?


TIA
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