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MG MGB Technical - Clutch Master

The clutch would disengage when I step on the pedal, but slowly disengage as I held the pedal down. Having reworked every other component of the clutch system I concluded it must be the master cylinder at fault. I bought a rebuild kit, but when I cleaned the master cylinder before installing it I found the fault— the sides of the bore are corroded. It makes sense that the clutch disengages when the pedal is pressed, but as the pedal is held, fluid escapes around the seals and back into the reservoir.

Is it possible to rebore the master cylinder and if so how much before the seals won’t reach the walls?
George Champion

Check Hemmings there are shops that put in a brass sleeve. Or find a good used one. Also they can be honed if the pitting/corrosion isn't to bad.
Ray

Gentleman;
Why do all that when new cylinders are available at resonable prices. Install a new cylinder, replace the fluid yearly and enjoy for many years to come. Bob Thompson/International Auto
Bob Thompson

George. You can get a good,used unit from Bob Schaulin at gbmg@aol.com. They are in Phoenix and can have it to you the next day.Les
Les Bengtson

George-
White Post Restorations will rebuild your corroded hydraulics by boring, installing brass sleeves resized to OE specifications, stainless steel pistons, and butadene seals, plus give you a lifetime warranty on their work. Know anybody else who will? They did my master cylinders, slave cylinders (brakes and clutch), and calipers. So far, no problems at all. They have a website at http://www.whitepost.com/brake.html Normal turnaround time is 2-3 days, but they'll do it overnight or even same day if you want.
Steve S.

I would vote for the new MC -- I've seen new
ones for less than $80 from VB or Moss.
Ronald

Do you guys remember when the B clutch master was discontinued about a year and half ago. Was that some kind of conspiracy. As soon as I forked out the cash for a rebuilt one, they recontinued them.
Strange
Bill
Bill Mertz

A place called Karp's can re-sleeve the bore using stainless steel.

About $50.

Karp's
66 N. Central Avenue / Upland, California 91786
909.985.0800

http://www.resleeve.com
Daniel Wong

Thanks for all the suggestions. I figured it could be resleeved, but wondered if the price would be too close to a new one to be worth it. I have a spare, but it looks bad as well, which leaves me anxious about any used one, but I’ll still check. The price at Brit Tek is $74.50 and Willwood makes one that should fit for $78. The Willwood design intrigues me because it uses a remote reservoir and we all know how difficult it is to top off the standard reservoir without spilling fluid. The really sad thing is that after cleaning both units, I can’t be sure the surface is truly pitted or if there is still goop in there.
George Champion

George. I hit the inside of the bore with a flap sander (slotted rod with emery cloth on it) using 180 grit, then 320 grit. Keep the sander moving, front to back, and do not use it for long. Cleans up the bore nicely and allows me to see if there is pitting. Les
Les Bengtson

Vicky Brit is having a sale on this particular item. I think $59.95. Just take out your old and install the new. Been there, done that and it ain't that easy! Best just to shove in a new one so you don't have to do it again.

Cheers,

Luis
Luis

If you want to do a first rate job of cleaning a cylinder without damage---Pump some go jo hand cleaner with pumice into the bore. Then scrub the heck out of it with a tooth brush then wash out with hot water. Blow out with air. I do all my cylinders this way with no trouble. Bob Thompson/International Auto
Bob Thompson

Bob Thompson talks about go jo hand cleaner with pumice, is there an equivalent on the UK market.
Alternatively what exactly is it, a hand cleaner w/ a pumice particle added, for abrasion??
Mark Smith

I’m quite pleased with the responses I have received to this request. I really expected only to be told, “Just buy a new one you cheap skate.” Instead I had a good sale price pointed out to that I was unaware of. I now know that it can be rebuilt, but the price isn’t much better than a replacement. At this time I’m waiting for an answer from Bob Schaulin as suggested by Les Bengtson, but in the mean time I think I’ll try the hand cleaner. Parts cleaner made a big difference, but there may still be something in there or it’s corroded, I just can’t tell.
George Champion

Mark. There are several brands of waterless hand cleaner with pumice available here in the US. GoJo is simply one brand. The brand I am currently testing is ZEP (that is a company name) Hand Cleaner and it works as well as any of the others and is somewhat easier on the hands. (Does not dry they quite as much in winter.) ZEP products are available in the UK and Europe, but you may have to check a trade directory to find the contact information. ZEP mainly sells to the professional mechanic. Any of these waterless hand cleaners make excellent degreasers for small parts. Whether the pumice is needed, or even desirable, will depend on the part. I would avoid using it on brass or bronze and it may scratch external finishes if you press to hard. Pumice is an abrasive and can, under some circumstances, imbed into the material being cleaned. After a good cleaning with waterless hand cleaner, a good cleaning with hot water and dish soap, followed by a hot water rinse, should leave parts as clean as they are going to get. Les
Les Bengtson

This thread was discussed between 23/01/2002 and 25/01/2002

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.