Brakes

    I think that anyone who has ever experienced the failure of the hydraulics on a single resevoir brake system, while driving, would certainly agree with that statement. <img src=images/icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=images/icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=images/icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=images/icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=images/icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle>

    I've been driving for over 50 years and have not heard of a maintained car having a master cylinder failure. Note the use of the word 'maintained'. (It falls into the use of suspenders and a belt to hold up your pants.) In an occasional driver or a concours restored 'K' car, I would not make a change to a dual master cylinder. You are taking a major hit on value, possibily in the four figure range. In a daily driver - sure, and I will also recomend that excessive ammounts of bubble wrap be used to insulate the driver and passengers because if you're that concerned, go all the way.

    Jim

    With a single reservoir reservoir M/C all it takes is one wheel cylinder or brake hose to leak/burst, then you have a big problem. Theres a reason why the government mandated a dual reservoir system. If it's concours I would leave it alone. I don't think it would hurt the value of your car at all, due to the fact it can easily be reversed by the next owner. JMHO. Jason.

    <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>With a single reservoir reservoir M/C all it takes is one wheel cylinder or brake hose to leak/burst<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana" size=2 id=quote>


    Right. It's not that the master cylinder will fail, it's that if you lose hydraulic pressure anywhere - lines, hoses, wheel cylinders, calipers - you'll have NO brakes. At all.


    With the dual resevoir system it's like having two seperate systems, a front and a rear. If you lose pressure in one, at least you'll still have the other half of the braking system to slow you down a little.

    I have had a single pot master cylinder fail in my 1966 Mustang. The car is very well maintained and the failed unit was a fairly new Wagner part. When you lose hydraulic pressure, you have zero brakes. I will be switching over to a dual pot MC. No modifications to the car need to made that will effect the value. Anyone that knows you are driving the car can appreciate this safe insurance and it is very easy and cheap to return to the original unit. If you are concerned about value, a wreaked Mustang isn't worth much. A car rarely driven needs to switch over even more as the cast iron cylinders will rust when not used and increase the chance of failure.

    Concours Driven MCA rules:

    Driven Exception: Dual reservoir master cylinder, stainless steel brake lines ........................................... no deduction

    I have a hard time believing that switching to a dual reservoir MC is going to detriment the value of a car. So long as the correct MC and related parts are sold with the car, it won't make any difference. Of course, it depends on what the car is used for. If it's a rolling museum piece that is never driven, no need to convert it. Cars regularly driven, I'd see it as a preventative safety measure. That's why MCA allows them in the driven concours class.

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