Master Cylinder Leaking in Foot Box

Bill Kesner · #1 (**permalink**) 05-01-2021, 03:40 AM

Hello All,

Have an early 4000 series, and believe my Front Master Cylinder has been leaking for some time. I believe it's the front, as it's the 1st Master you see on the right. I think the brand is FTE?

Would anyone know if they still make a replacement, or if Shelby American would have this part? Curious if anyone with a 4000 has changed their master? Car was built by Shelby in 1999.

Thanks,
- Bill -

t walgamuth · #2 (**permalink**) 05-01-2021, 04:06 AM

Is it an automotive street designed mc or a two mc and balance bar set up like is common on race cars?

ERA 626 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2021, 11:18 AM

my CSX 6000 series car has wilwoods... maybe it would be easier to swap out both to wilwoods ? I changed my clutch master it was no big deal. I am fairly sure the brake master is a 7/8 wilwood standard part...

CompClassics · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2021, 12:05 PM

Hi Bill,

I have a couple of NOS original early Continuation master cylinders, I would need to know the bore diameter that is cast in on yours to make sure I have the correct one you need.
Email, jkb5 at sbcglobal dot net

Bill Kesner · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2021, 03:36 PM

Awesome, thanks! I'm holding off pulling it out till after the 18th, when I get my car legalized to run on the road again. Will pull mine out and let you know which model I have. Does this manufacturer still make these brake cylinders?

NRP/MN · #6 (**permalink**) 05-05-2021, 05:22 PM

This picture is an AFCO master cylinder designed for a remote reservoir. I don't believe this this is available any longer. there are similar but not exact available. Throughout my entire career I have had the best luck with the 74 series Tilton masters, less wheel drag and long life. The AFCO's and Wilwood were patterned after these. Typical is a 7/8" front and 1" rear bore. You can run identical bores on both front and rear but occasionally have a brake balance issue that you cannot adjust with the balance bar on the pedal.

Bill Kesner · #7 (**permalink**) 05-05-2021, 07:54 PM

Thanks Mike!

Good to know.

CompClassics · #8 (**permalink**) 05-05-2021, 10:37 PM

These master cylinders are no longer produced. I had two but another early CSX4000 owner bought the other one from me. As I had stated this unit is NOS.

Tjd · #9 (**permalink**) 05-06-2021, 03:49 PM

Bill,
Wilwood has a cylinder that will work for your car and here’s a picture of one on eBay it’s a Girling and a better price. As I remember they were 5/8 for the front brakes
Tom

twobjshelbys · #10 (**permalink**) 05-06-2021, 05:15 PM

The cylinders on my Shelby CSX were from CNC, Inc. My contact info is quite old but the phone number I have is 619.275.1663. The master cylinder for the clutch is P/N 712-3/4.

You can play with diameters on the master and slave to adjust force and travel.

NRP/MN · #11 (**permalink**) 05-06-2021, 07:17 PM

CNC is gone- Chuck Neal wanted out and could not find a buyer at his ask and shut it down. It was a very good product.

twobjshelbys · #12 (**permalink**) 05-06-2021, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRP/MN

This picture is an AFCO master cylinder designed for a remote reservoir. I don't believe this this is available any longer. there are similar but not exact available. Throughout my entire career I have had the best luck with the 74 series Tilton masters, less wheel drag and long life. The AFCO's and Wilwood were patterned after these. Typical is a 7/8" front and 1" rear bore. You can run identical bores on both front and rear but occasionally have a brake balance issue that you cannot adjust with the balance bar on the pedal.

My source for the part above was the guy that did the Cobras at HST. He said that the AFCO parts were discontinued and the CNC parts were qualified in their place.

I ordered mine directly from CNC (and a rebuild kit, while I was at it).

Clutch - P/N 712-3/4
brakes P/N 712-5/8 & P/N 712-7/8

Edit: I didn't see the previous reply as this one sat in an edit window while I did some other things. Oh well... I don't know what there might be equivalent parts.

CompClassics · #13 (**permalink**) 05-08-2021, 05:38 PM

Just an FYI, if you swap to a different master cylinder other than another AFCO it will probably require at 5he minimum modifying the brake pipes that attach to the master cylinder.

Bill Kesner · #14 (**permalink**) 05-25-2021, 08:31 PM

Comp,

Having some difficulty getting the lower cylinder out. Seems to be a pain trying to get the the top bolt inside, with the nut outside? Any recommendations as to possibly removing the brake bias bar for more room? Or do you simply just undo the nuts on the AFCO rod?

Thanks, Bill

dwathencars · #15 (**permalink**) 05-26-2021, 05:30 AM

I recently replaced both brake cylinders on CSX2367 with NOS Girling cylinders - I believe the mounting and mechanisms are the same as yours. I found it better to go ahead and pull the balance bar mechanism out. During install I had my wife, Lori, hold the bolt heads inside with a long flex extension. I replaced the cotter pins in the clevis pins with spring clips to avoid the problem of the cotter pins maybe twisting into an interference problem. I used a couple of different magnet extension to position the pins and hardware. This whole task was a reminder that I'm not as flexible as I used to be...... Dave

Bill Kesner · #16 (**permalink**) 05-26-2021, 05:47 AM

Thanks Dave!

It is a real pain to work in that small foot box, while trying to get to the bolt head. Going to take a 2nd try at it tomorrow, and will hope for the best!

By the way, just to confirm, is the lower cylinder towards the engine for the front brakes, with the one above for the rear, and the clutch to the left?

Thanks,
- Bill -

dwathencars · #17 (**permalink**) 05-26-2021, 02:19 PM

Yes, at least that’s they way mine is. Dave