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I'm looking for front wheel cylinders for my 1954 GMC 350-27 and i can't find them anywhere. I've checked all the big name parts stores, rock auto, classic parts, ebay, and amazon. The only site that has anything close is rock auto.
Does anyone have a good source for them? My other option would be to buy a cylinder that is technically for a different truck. It looks like the rears for the gmc 150 might fit? Although they are a 1.125 bore and not a 1 inch. Any interchange info would be very helpful too.

Thanks!

Have you thought about having your existing cylinders sleeved and having new kits installed?

There are companies that do this like White Post Restorations...

Mike B

Hy AdamK1500, I believe your original front wheel cylinders are no longer available, I believe the original part number was United 19944. Years ago this same subject came up, I did some research and found wheel cylinders Raybestos p/ns WC19090 and WC19091, these wheel cylinders are the same in all respects except the angle at which the brake hose enters the wheel cylinder. The original wheel cylinder had the hoses go straight into the center of the wheel cylinder, the replacements have the hose come in at an angle. The other person I made this suggestion to purchased the replacement wheel cylinder and installed them with no real issues. RockAuto has Raybestos p/ns WC19090 and WC19091 for $17.94 each, hope that helps.

I ending up running across a set that I think may work on oldchevytrucks.com. I emailed them to verify because the description isn't great and there is no picture.
unfortunately they are 45 a piece, so i may go with the raybestos cylinders regardless. thanks for the part numbers!

I had thought about sleeving the existing cylinders but i thought cost would be an issue. For the right price that would be an option as well.

It is more expensive to re-sleeve existing cylinders, but one advantage is that they can use stainless steel, which will resist pitting and will last longer than brand new ones. I recommend you explore this option and then decide if you are OK with the additional cost. The last time I had this done it was about $90 per cylinder.

That's a lot more than I had anticipated spending. The stainless sleeve is appealing though.

One other question I had is if I could run cylinders with a larger bore and maintain my braking power? In theory a larger bore would give you more stopping power. But, can the master cylinder and booster move enough fluid to move the larger piston in the larger wheel cylinder?

Just have to experiment to figure out. I suppose one could measure each wheel cylinder volume and then compare to master, plus allow for leakage, wear, etc.

Cylinders can also be sleeved with brass.

Ed

Without being a brake systems engineer it's difficult to say what is safe to change...
If you match wheel cylinder sizes with a similar model truck and use same master cylinder that truck used you'd probably have the ratios of fluid volume or stroke about right.
Generally not a good idea to swap brake components around without a full understanding of what's going on, brakes are very important.

Alretta Truck Parts had them about a year ago.