Master Cylinder for a Disc Brake Conversion

[Belvedere-II]

I know a few will say: do the research, and I have, but I'm running into one dilemma with regards to my Disc Brake conversion. Unfortunately, I bought a kit from Fatrodder, and now realize that was a mistake. I had to use scotchbrite to remove surface rust on the bearing races, and the dust caps don't even fit the rotors, among other things.

The part that I really don't like is the 5 inch contraption to mount the GM master cylinder to my brake booster, so I'm ditching that in favor of a Mopar master cylinder, but every tech article and post I read leaves me very confused.

My car is a 1965 Belvedere and I have power drum brakes. I have the correct A-body spindle, calipers, slider bracket, and 11" discs. I want to add the Mopar Master Cylinder, and probably should think about replacing my 47 year old booster at the same time, but have no idea which parts to get. If anyone has a Master Cylinder part number or can direct me to the proper one (cast iron, 4 bolt) and a Booster I would truly appreciate it.

I may not need the booster, so that is part of the consideration... the new master cylinder should fit my existing booster. I keep reading about manual brake conversions, about pushrod sizes and rubber adapters but so far none of the conversion tech articles cover my particular situation.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

**edit** I also forgot one thing... with these conversion kits I keep seeing these four black rubber bands with the kits. What are they for? I can't imagine they would last long, but can't figure out why they're in the kits. Of course, no instructions came with my kit.

 

[ga66mopar]

I have been using master from Cardone part # 10-1404 with power disk brakes. I used this master on 3 three different 66-67 b-bodies and it works great. It should work on a 65 as well.

 

[Belvedere-II]

Awesome! Thanks for the info. When I look up the Cardone master cylinder, there are two part numbers, with different size bores, I couldn't figure out which, so this will help!

So does anyone happen to know what the small rubber bands are supposed to be used for? I see them in other kits, but have no idea what they're used for.

 

[Belvedere-II]

The kit came with four black rubber bands, I've seen thim in other kits, too. Does anyone know what they're supposed to be used for? thanks

 

[furyus]

They are for anti-rattle. You put them on the caliper brackets. No, they don't last.

 

[Belvedere-II]

Thanks. Funny that someone thought those would handle the heat and not get brittle and break! too funny.

 

[HT413]

Regarding master cylinder, check out this link... lots of info

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/brake.html

the link below calls out master cylinder by year, starting with '67. Might talk to "drdiff" over on moparts. He was the one who recommended i go with a 1-1/32 mc for my situation (manual disc front with 2-15/16 caliper pistons from a 99 dodge ram and stock rear drums on my 69 belvedere). He sells a sweet aluminum 2 bolt with an adaptor plate and push rod retainer for $100. or just ask his opinion and go with a rock auto piece for $30-$50. I found a new (not reman) piece on rock auto for $29. I'll get the part number here in a minute. as far as all my research has pulled up, there is no actual difference between a manual MC and power MC. Its just (as you know) with powr you can go with a larger bore mc to allow shorter pedal travel (if you prefer) where as that same big bore master will be hell on your leg if you went manual. But many cars used the same master for power and manual. You'll see in the below link that the same mc is used in both applications in some cars. If your push rod doesnt fit for some reason, just pick up an adjsutable one.

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/brake/14.html

here's what i bought, no idea if it'll fit yours but i would think so. 1-1/32 disc/drum mc from a 72 barracuda. Notice it's new, not reman. It says $29.79 but it rang up as $28.79, cant beat that. I havent even received it yet (coming tomorrow) so i cant comment on quality/fit/performance but i'm pretty confident she'll do the job.

CARDONE SELECT Part # 131515
NEW MASTER CYLINDER
Supplied w/Reservoir; Front Disc brakes; Manual brakes; Rear Drum brakes
Supplied w/Reservoir; Front Disc brakes; Power brakes; Rear Drum brakes

 

[ga66mopar]

Is this your car? A friend of mine owned it for a while.

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/...1965_plymouth_belvedere_restored/viewall.html

 

[Belvedere-II]

Is this your car? A friend of mine owned it for a while.

No, that's not my car, it's what I wish my car could look like. Right now it's got rust and crappy paint. I liked that pic and used it.

- - - Updated - - -

Regarding master cylinder, check out this link... lots of info

Thanks! Great info. I read a couple of articles and they all described the knuckle in detail but not the M/C. That's a better price for a new one than I was going to get on a used one!

I'm going to remove the control arms, install new Energy Susp bushings, while I have it all apart for the new knuckles and brakes. Thanks for the info!

 

[5.7 hemi]

I used a Wilwood 1inch mc with a Wilwood adjustable proportioning valve. I also upgraded to the 11.75 rotors and stock 10x2.5 drums out back and the brakes are fantastic....also they are power.