The brake master cylinder on my 1952 3100 was leaking so I removed it yesterday and ordered a new one. The two bolts that hold it screw into a metal bar that was on the other side of the frame. It seems like I would need three hands to reinstall the master cylinder: one to hold the bar in place, one to hold the master cylinder, and one to turn the bolts. I only have two. Is there some trick to doing this?
My dad always told me, "Don't force it, get a bigger hammer".
can you put the bolts through the master, hold it in place, with your fingers on one of the bolt heads and the palm of your hand holding the master in place, then hold the plate with the other hand, and twist t he bolt with the fingers of your fist hand?
Another thought is to put longer bolts with the head cut off (or a piece of all thread) in the nut place, and put it in place and slide the master on the bolts, then clamp in place, and pull one bolt out and replace with one of the originals, and to the same to the 2nd bolt?
The plate is threaded, so you can stick one bolt thru the MC and thru the frame bracket and start it into the nut plate. Then put the other bolt thru the MC and frame and line up the nut plate to start the bolt threads. Then you can tighten the bolts without holding anything else. You'll get it with just your two hands.
Mike beat me to the punch.
Last edited by klhansen; 04/09/20231:44 AM.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I use a long tapered punch to align parts while I get a bolt or two started. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
I installed a new mc a few weeks ago. It didn't seem particularly difficult or different from any other part installation.
The bar is just a different shaped nut. Put the bolt through the mc, and stick it through the frame while holding the bar on the other side. Turn a few threads with your fingers and it will stay in place on its own.
More importantly, bench bleed the new mc before installation! It will make life a lot easier.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
I've installed them by just putting the bolts thru the bracket holes and into the nut bar without the MC and then stuff a rag behind the nut bar to hold it in place. Remove the bolts and then install the MC
Never underestimate the ingenuity of a Stovebolter!
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
