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MG MGA - New Master Cylinder

I've just restarted to rebuild my 1959 MGA 1600 Mk.1 roadster for which I bought a new master cylinder from [I think] Moss a couple of years ago. I've just pulled it off the shelf where it's stood since I bought it. It has the numbers 38183 on one side and also 7/8 beside them, but no makers name.

I seem to remember a lot of discussion about replacement master cylinders a while ago, but cannot find what I'm looking for in the archives. Can anyone tell me whether or not this master cylinder needs work before I install it or can I just bolt it in and forget it please.

Thanks.

Maurice.
M. Standish

Maurice

Browsing through the archives it seems that I had one with those numbers and it caused me slow release problems. I replaced it with an AP Caparo MC that worked very well and is generally well thought of by users.

There was another post that sang the praises of your version.

It would appear to be the luck of the draw at times.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Maurice

I believe it depends whether you have discs or drums on the front. I dont know exactly which MC you have but I do have first hand knowledge of problems with fitting the wrong one.

I have discs and originally fitted the TRW master cylinder. On applying the brakes, the TRW held pressure in the brake line, so did not allow the front disc brakes to fully release. No problem with my rear drums, as drum brakes have strong release springs.
So for a car with drums all round, that should not be a problem.
Like Steve, I switched mine for an AP Caparo I bought from Bob West and it worked straight out of the box.

I should mention Barney's website explains how to correct the MC problem. I seem to recall this involved drilling a release hole, but I did not feel comfortable making alterations to the MC
Graham V

Thanks for your comments Steve and Graham - we'll be passing close to Bob West's premises tomorrow on our way to see our latest great grandchild for the first time, so I'll call in and talk it through with Bob, assuming he'll be there.

Thanks again.

Maurice.
M. Standish

This thread was discussed between 02/02/2020 and 03/02/2020

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.