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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Master Cylinder Extension Assessment

I have just received a new recast master cylinder extension from Bob West. A picture is attached.

Overall, not a bad item. However, although my original metal cap tightened okay the plastic cap I have in reserve was too loose and would not tighten.

I questioned the quality with Bob this morning. He acknowledges that his supplier still has work to do on the neck thread and quality does vary a little from item to item. An immediate replacement is in the post. He said not to waste postage returning the current one, just bring it back next time I am over. That's decent service by my reckoning.

Steve


Steve Gyles

Good to see someone has reproduced this part, up until now made of unobtanium. Thanks Bob.
Bill Young

When is he going to start making the metal caps???
dominic clancy

Dominic

When I asked him for a cap he said he did not have any - like Rocking Horse s**t. When I told him NOS are going on Ebay for £80 he said he might have a load in his container out the back!! Also, he thought one of his suppliers might be able to do something. Keep pestering him, something might happen.

Steve
Steve Gyles

You don't absolutely need to have an extension unless you want to be original for concours. The cylinder works just fine with the smaller volume of the cylinder without extension.

I foudn that on the Jamaican the scuttle had been cut down so far that there was no longer enough room to put in the extension anyway.

BTW, there is more than one depth of extension out there.....
Bill Spohn

Bill

Yes, I have been running the standard MC with front discs for the last 4 years. Generally been fine. I check levels weekly. However, a couple of years ago I lost the brakes and clutch in rapid succession (about 200 yards) and nearly had a crash. I had a moderate leak from the clutch banjo (fibre washer had been fitted, not copper!). I guess the extension may just give me a sporting chance of spotting a leak during my weekly checks before a repeat performance.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I have 4-wheel discs fitted to my Magnette and am using an MGA master with the flat top. All has gone well so far but Steve's experience has caused me to give more thought to increasing the capacity. I had originally thought about fitting a remote resevoir from a big Healey but at almost $200. I didn't go through with it. It's probably worth reconsidering.

Cheers,
Rich
Rich McKIe

I received the replacement extension just before I left for for the Middle East on busines. The quality of the second item was much improved, both in overall casting and the cap screw thread. Many thanks to Bob for an excellent exchange service, no questions asked.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Rich, if originality is not an issue, it should be relatively easy to replace the top plate of the Master Cylinder with a flat aluminum plate. Mount a Wilwood, Tilton or ? remote reservoir thru a fitting screwed into the top plate. Bleeding the air out of the master reservoir should not be necessary. This should give you the sagfety factor you are looking for and a visual indicator of fluid level.
C Schaefer

Hey Dominic,

There is a MC cover (flat) with a metal cap just posted on the US eBay. Item number 110323345932, opening bid just $0.99.

Looks like just USA shipping, I would be happy to send it your way if you end up buying it.

John
jjb Backman

Hi there is often the original item on ebay I bought one a couple of months ago complete with metal cap for about 35 dollars, it was like new as well so very pleased


gordon


g c pugh

Gordon

Could this be the beginning of another collection? Perhaps it could finance the Twin Cam and save the wife and kids!

Steve
Steve Gyles

I can see the headlines now.... metal cap bubble market collapes, Gordon has to morgtage the wife and kids to save the tool collection.
John :-)
jjb Backman

it's too early in the morning I just can't think of a suitable reply , give me time though lol



gordon
g c pugh

Just got round to fitting my new MC extension. Good casting, no leaks. It's bit of a trick getting a screwdriver into the rear machine screw. As with most things in this world, length was the issue! Almost had to consider removing the bonnet.

Steve

Steve Gyles

Ref Steve's experience. Earlier in the year I lost almost the entire fluid contents of the m/c on the way back from the pub - about 5 miles - I was sure glad that I had the extension then!!! One thing - the experience makes you check the levels before each trip!! AB
A Bennett

A remote reservoir can be had in most auto junk yards. I used a plastic one from some sort of Japanese car and ran a line from it to the cap (plastic) which I had inserted a 90 degree bib fitting. The new added reserve was almost 1/2 cup in size.
Sandy
conrad sanders

Posted 01 December 2008 at 18:57:00 UK time
C Schaefer, Illinois, USA
"Rich, if originality is not an issue, it should be relatively easy to replace the top plate of the Master Cylinder with a flat aluminum plate. Mount a Wilwood, Tilton or ? remote reservoir thru a fitting screwed into the top plate. Bleeding the air out of the master reservoir should not be necessary. This should give you the sagfety factor you are looking for and a visual indicator of fluid level"

I had a Wilwood resevoir and sat it in the engine compartment. That nylon just didn't look right!
Unfortunately my installation is kind of unusual and I don't have room for the raised lid so I may just have to spring for the Healey resevoir.

Rich
[img]http://www.fototime.com/EC25C4EF7B08A48/standard.jpg[/img]

Rich McKIe

Sorry about that!
Let's try again. You can see the edge of the M/cyl peeking out from below the air intake hose

<img src="http://www.fototime.com/EC25C4EF7B08A48/standard.jpg" border=0 alt="Hosting provided by FotoTime">
Rich McKIe

Just checked the Moss website and lo and behold they show the Austin Healey BN1/2 single resevoir kit for only $69.95 with the mounting bracket also available. Don't know what made me think the price was so high? This may be a period look solution.

Cheers,
Rich

BTW: Sorry about the multiple posts. Sure wish we could edit on here.
Rich McKIe

This thread was discussed between 26/11/2008 and 20/12/2008

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