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MG MGA - Master Cylinder Problem

I have been suffering from a soft brake pedal for many years. I don't drive this A a great deal. After bleeding around the car several times I pulled out the master cylinder and was very surprised to find there was no VALVE CUP or VALVE WASHER in either of the bores (I thought it may have been in the wrong bore by mistake) and the valve body didn't look at all as I thought it would. The Master Cylinder was rebuilt as part of a complete brake redo by University Motors 10 years ago and not touched since. After all these years I just got used to double pumping the brake.........Please look at these two pictures ...and let me know if this is what the VALVE BODY looks like.
Thomas Koch

Sorry I have not been able to get the picture to upload.
Thomas Koch

must be <1 MB
Art Pearse

Thanks..Art....see if this works.....since I posted ..I checked B.Gaylord site and see that my valve body is anything but....and I'm also missing spring ends or seal supports (I'm amazed this car stopped at all).....any idea where I can purchase these items they don't list them in any of the catalogs I have..........?


Thomas Koch

Is that white plastic thing actually a check valve? It may work well enough without the rubber washer. Missing a couple of cup expanders 17H7571. Odd looking working end on the pistons (usually flat there).
Barney Gaylord

The white plastic thing where the check valve body should be looks too modern to be from an MGA it does not fit well in the spring and does not allow the brake pressure to be held. I know I need one of the metal ones and two of the blue spring seats such as the ones seen in your art. on Rebuilding Master Cylinders.....any ideas as to where I can get these?

If this white thing is a check valve it is working.


Thomas Koch

Yeah, it kinds looks like a check valve. I've just never seen a plastic one in a master cylinder. Someone's idea of a cost reduction I suppose, as long as the plastic doesn't break 10 years later.
Barney Gaylord

That's the same type of valve I found in my master cylinder, which of course was for a Sprite! Mine was broken as well so probably didn't do anything but take up space.
Tom Baker

I guess I'm a little surprised that it is really a check valve...it looks as though it came out of a ballpoint pen.....and as I mentioned there was no cup and washer in the back of the brake bore. In about 2002 I had University Motors go through the brakes the bill stated that the M/C had been rebuilt at White Post Restorations with brass sleeves and nice brass piston. I have had problems bleeding these brakes ever since. I just ordered a new check valve from Claudia at SF. I'll post results when I get it buttoned back up.
Thomas Koch

That's the consequence of getting a recon part done on the cheap. I have never believed in getting brake parts reconditioned, and am a very strong believer in buying new and buying the best there is when it comes to brakes. Changing the MC last year confirmed this approach - the brakes were better even though the old MC was not leaking externally.

I did have a look in my brakes graveyard box to see if I had anything that would help you, but my old MC was given to another BBS regular, so the cupboard is bare!

This winter the front callipers are scheduled for replacement after 25 years service, so if anyone is of a different persuasion and is willing to reuse them (the old ones are Lockheed originals which have only ever seen Si fluid) this is the time to stake your claim. They are not even rusty externally!

dominic clancy

Dominic;

I'll go for it !!

I will collect them as soon as I#m on my way to Italy.

I'll give you a call before.

Thanks

Giovanni
Giovanni Delicio

This thread was discussed between 24/06/2013 and 27/06/2013

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