Wheel Cylinders - Where to get them?

[Harrison]

I was told by Ratster that I could get wheel cylinders for my '40 brakes (all 4 needed) for $15 each here in town but that shop has run out and can't get more.

NAPA was upwards of $60 each. AutoZone and Advance? Forget it. My other option is $45 each from a small Mom & Pop here.

If shop #1 had them for $15 each I'm figuring someone else does too. Anyone have a local $15 source? I'll pay shipping and buy you a case of your favorite suds. Would a later model (& cheaper) wheel cylinder off some other Ford work? Simple parts - seems like that might be an option.

Joblot has a $250 kit that includes a new master cylinder, 4 new wheel cylinders, three new brake hoses (2 fronts and 1 rear - I'm running a torque tube), and 4 new retracting springs. Is this a deal? I need a master cylinder and some lines anyway.

Sorry for the dumb questions. I've never done a brake system on an early Ford though.

Thanks, JH

[plan9]

i paid 27.45 ea for wheel cylinders on my 56 olds through kanters... dunno how good they are. they also had a rebuild kit for em for 110, came with brake pads, 3 brake hoses, and some other shit.

sad thing is, i ordered this crap last thursday and paid for 2nd day air...still havent gotten it and couldnt get through when i called today... then got busy at work. ive got other things i can do on the ride this weekend, but shit, that really blows

[Tman]

I say bullshit! I buy a bunch from our parts store, My cost ins around $30? each? That is my wholesale shhhhh!

[Rocky]

Hey Harrison....are your 40 cylinders rebuildable? I bought kits from NAPA and honed the shit outa mine...slapped kits in 'em and went on to the next problem...
250 for the kit, eh? Well, lessee.....add the price of the cylinders to about 20-25 apiece for hoses and around 50-60 for a mastercylinder..you do the math, I'm too tired tonight.
BTW, I honed my cylinders in a most unorthadox manner but it works... I take a big ol' cotter key and slide a length of 36 grit emery between the legs of the key...wind the emery around and around [counter clockwise] the cotter key until it's about the same diameter as the cylinder bore. Chuck that cotter key up in a drill and it's now a hone. Don't get too carried away with it 'cause 36 grit cuts FAST! Removes all that rust and scale and then if you don't have craters inside, just run some fine emery inside the bore and then finish up with a fine stone on your brake hone.... sometimes I finish up with very fine emery and forgo the hone altogether...works everytime and it's fast and cheep!

[Mike Landwehr]

I use the same method Rocky , n everybody wants to know why I want their old ones after they spend the big bucks for rebuilts-usually free-got a five gallon bucket full for early fords n tri five chevys-lol oh, n use some weasel piss(wd40 or brake fluid) it makes for a cleaner cut, then follow w a alchol bath (don't drink it, not the right kind -rubbing!)

[Harrison]

Looks like I need to check the condition of my cylinders before buying any. I assume anything short of rust pits is salvageable?

Update coming soon.

Thanks, JH

[Mike Landwehr]

Pretty much , even small pits will come out.

[Harrison]

I took the wheel cylinders off my backing plates. I have 6 and each one had a broken mounting bolt in it. Guess I'll weld nuts to them and try to back them out. Shouldn't be too much trouble.

Anyway, I think 4 are probably useable. I am assuming the centers with the slotted pins press out and are replaced with new parts? What comes in the rebuild kits and where do I get them?

Any tricks from this point forward?

Thanks, JH

[manyolcars]

rebuild kits are rubber boots and seals. Sometimes you get a new spring. Usually you reuse the pistons.