The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Hate plastic brake reservoir

I put disc brake all around my 56 and the brake kit came with a remote plastic brake fluid reservoir. Frankly it looks like a POS. Has anyone come across an economical, simple metal remote reservoir??

The one's I've seen can get pretty pricey.

Thoughts and rants welcome.

A 1-pint Marvel Mystery Oil can with a piece of copper tubing soldered into the bottom for a piece of rubber hose would make an excellent reservoir. Just poke a tiny vent hole into the screw top with an ice pick or a [censored] punch. Solder a piece of sheet metal onto the back of the can and attach it to the firewall with a couple of sheet metal screws. Just be sure to wash the can out several times with alcohol to remove any petroleum residue.
Jerry

I have the same plastic one you have, I to don't care for it, and it's definitely not worth the $20 it cost to buy it.

I'll be using the aluminum bolt on reservoir from a medium duty GM truck, or from a P30 Chassis. Remove it from the master cylinder, weld or plug one small hole, and drill and tap the two others for 1/8" NPT, and there you have it, a professional looking remote reservoir for your MC, at next to no cost.

I'll take a picture if interested?

Grigg

Grigg,

Definitely interested. If you get the chance, I'd be grateful for a picture.

Thanks,

Here are three pictures of the aluminum reservoir I'll be using as a remote one. It is the master cylinder reservoir from GM application, probably P30 chassis or medium duty truck, I've seen them on both. It needs to be Drilled and tapped for 1/8" NPT to use as a remote reservoir, and one other small hole needs to be plugged.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2478561670080251109bUAKQl
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2534098880080251109rcMScP
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2547773260080251109bsdgrp

I was unable to purchase just the reservoir or even the lid from any auto parts store, only way to get one is buy an entire rebuilt master cylinder ($$$), or get a used one from a junk yard.

Grigg

Here is a picture of one of these reservoirs still on the MC. Some are held on with hex bolts, some with male torx headed bolts, both approximately 5/16-18 thread.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2598576140080251109wpZrNY

Grigg

how about a remote power steering resovoir? g.m. uses them on several different vans with too much stuff and not enough hood space to hang it all.

I have a few of those remote PS reservoirs, two downsides to them:
1, Top is vented, allowing moisture to get in, and the brake fluid likes to grab moisture.
2, Only one line or reservoir, for a dual circuit master you need two separated ones. Then if you loose all the fluid to a leak in the front (or rear) you still have fluid available to the other half of the system. I suppose you could use two reservoirs, or try to divide it, or use two big hoses to effectively make separate reservoirs, none of these are a good solution in my opinion.

The aluminum reservoir I linked pictures to solves both of these problems. It has a bellows type cover/gasket that seals the fluid from air, yet still allows for change in fluid level. It also has two separate reservoirs (under one cap).

Another thing to note, you can't use just any rubber hose to connect your remote reservoir, and most parts places don't know that, or don't have the right hose if they do understand.
I have had good luck with Volkswagen hydraulic clutch remote reservoir hose, it's blue with a blue braided cover, and fits on 5/16" barbs(if I remember correctly) although it is a metric size. You can get it from most any VW parts place. It is designed to work with brake fluid.

Grigg

I myself have never had a problem with the plastic reservoirs, however if you want aluminum, here are a few

http://store.summitracing.com/partd...UM-340202&N=700+115&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partd...mp;N=700+4294922533+115&autoview=sku

Grigg,

I really like the GM/Chevy reservoir you came up with. I'll have to go lookin' for one. I was plannin' to use the plastic one until
I saw yours! Great idea.

The blue, braided VW line that you mention is made for brake fluid. VW came out with it in the '60s when they went to dual brakes. The plastic dual reservoirs that I have seen are also a VW item. They are available from most VW parts places for about 6 bucks!

I think reservoirs have to be vented in some fashion to prevent a vapor/fluid lock. That is, air has to get in so fluid can get out. At least they have to have a vent on the back side of the seal. As I understand it, fluid vacuum on a brake system is a bad thing.

best wishes,

Les

Grigg,

Great pictures!! Thanks for taking the time to send them. I really like your idea.

Paul