Brake parts

Where did yall get brake parts from? I see that Ames had front left and right but only rear right wheel cylinders. Are they the left and right same for the rear?

Where did yall get brake lines? I see Ames has a 7 piece set. Is that everything?

Where can I get my master cylinder rebuilt?

I'm ready to get this shit done!!!!

The rear cylinders are easy to rebuild at home, if you have acess to a cylinder honing tool (for a electric drill).
One of mine were stuck, and after removing the pistons using a hammer if was just a matter of cleaning it out. There are 2 pistons made of a light alloy (properbly aluminium), and then there are 2 rubber pistons to seal the brake fluid. The problem with mine was corrosion that stuck the alloy pistons to the cylinder. I cleaned it off, and applyed a brake caliper paste that shuld prevent new corrosion (not copper grease, but somthing that looks like silicon grease). I did not replace the pistons, since they were fine, but i since bought a rebuild kit with these pistons off e-bay - i remember the boxes said NAPA, and i can properbly find the numbers on the boxes if it helps...

maybe I'll try that then. I wanted to buy all new parts so I would KNOW that it was all good to go. But rebuilding those wheel cylinders sounds pretty easy.

Check Kanter. I think that's where I got my stuff. Have you tryied Rock Auto? They might have parts too.

I'll try Kanter and Rock Auto. I've never heard of Rock Auto

Hey, Robert -

I haven't done brake lines on any of my cars yet, but if you can't find all of them pre-formed (or even if you can and they seem costly) you may want to check into making them yourself. I seem to remember seeing an inexpensive kit with bending tools (like a miniature pipe-bender) and a flaring tool and whatever else, so that you can use standard stock, straight brake line lengths and custom fit them to your application.

Does your car have standard or power brakes? If standard, I think that master cylinder, like the wheel cylinders, is a pretty easy rebuild and the kits are readily available on Ebay if not suppliers like Ames or Perf Years. If power brakes, and if you think the booster may need a rebuild too, I would recommend sending out to a specialist to have the booster and master cylinder done together. There are a couple or three that advertise routinely in Hemmings that cover these cars; I have had a couple done by Ed Strain (in Florida, I think.) I seem to recall it was around $200-$225 or so with shipping and he guarantees his work. I haven't rebuilt a PB master by itself - I think it might just be a little tricky making sure you get it sealed properly between the master and the booster.

- Doug

I think I'll leave my brake booster and MC up to a professional. I know Ames and Kanter has kits for the brake lines, I'm gunna give Kanter a call when I get some more cash to dump into my '59. I need to finish the headers first. The falnges are coming in this week and I already have all the tubing and the collectors.

My car was originally manual brakes but I found a power set up on ebay a while back. It's supposed to be from a running driving car but I'm not taking any chances.

I opted to make my own brake lines and it was easy. I had the flange tool and bought a couple of hand tubing benders. Used the old ones for a guide and they came out good. Buy the 25ft. roll of line from NAPA and make your own. (the fuel line however is another story! )
Ames has very good brake shoes. New, not rebuilt, at a good price. I actually found two brand new brake cylinders in the truck of the car when I bought it so those were easy!

Welcome Doug! Glad to read your input.

Sounds good! What size tubing did you use?

I used NAPA part number BK 641-4001 which is 1/4" OD. I purchase new threaded end nuts also. The short ones looked original so I used them.