Brake Fluid Reservoir Placement

**Lionelgee** · 21st April 2014, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by chazza

"However, I am concerned about the non-genuine remote brake reservoir and how it has the brake fluid exiting underneath the cylinder and not through the side like the genuine reservoir does. It seems to me that due to the low release point of the non-genuine reservoir the brake fluid will have to defy gravity to reach the inlet mounted on top of the brake pedal box!"

I came to the same conclusion and so I have ordered the metal one Colin mentioned; it seemed less hassle than trying to make fluid flow uphill

Cheers Charlie

G'day Charlie,

Yes the ability to get a smooth gravity fed flow stirred up by a 2.25 litre diesel engine and a long rise to the brake pedal box is not very inspiring.

I have thought of a possible third alternative - instead of fitting the pipe as shown in the photographs previously posted; or getting a new metal remote reservoir. I had originally restored a brake pedal box for a boosted system. I also have a booster so while holding off from doing a full single circuit to dual circuit brake system upgrade I am thinking of getting a single circuit master cylinder. Part Number 569339 or R569339.

I am just wondering if the hydraulic integrity of the single circuit brake system will be maintained if I do not provide a vacuum line to run the brake booster?You might say that it is even a "very cunning plan" ... the vehicle's name is Baldrick after all!

Once the vehicle is back on the road I intend to fully upgrade dual circuit system the first time the brakes need major work on them. At the moment I want to be able to get four wheels back on the ground and an interim registration so I can drive Baldrick to the diesel mechanic and gets its uncouth smoking habit sorted out. If the engine needs major work I will put the whole project on hold until I land another work contract; or better yet, a full time permanent job.

At the moment I am trying to make do with what parts I have on hand. The only outlay I will have is a new single circuit brake master cylinder and a new length of brake pipe with a couple of fittings to plumb it into the existing single circuit brake system.

No worries about gravity and finding unserviceable brakes at the most inappropriate time like the non-genuine bottom release brake reservoir may have in-store.

Kind Regards
Lionel

**dandlandyman** · 7th May 2014, 03:52 PM

Here's a much cheaper way to replace your reservoir. Net-search Land Rover part number 504105 - it gives you two plastic tanks with caps and steel fittings to replace the old steel twin-outlet tank for S2-2As. Price about 43GBP. So long as the intake port in each tank remains above the outlet at the master cylinder it will work fine, and you have enough tanks for two vehicles. I have no wish to advertise a certain product or company, but this is what I did to fix two seperate vehicles. Pipe-benders to shape the steel pipes to suit are available quite readily from many car-parts or tool shops.

Dan.
69 2A 88' pet4 (still in disguise), 68 2B FC pet6 (still resting quietly), 74 S3 109" pet4, plus 19 other parts/project cars (2xS2s, 7xS2As, 10xS3s).

**chazza** · 7th May 2014, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by dandlandyman

Here's a much cheaper way to replace your reservoir. Net-search Land Rover part number 504105 - it gives you two plastic tanks with caps and steel fittings to replace the old steel

I bought this two years ago, but I can't see how to fit it so that the outlet is above the master cylinder. Perhaps it doesn't matter and if it worked for you, perhaps I have wasted my money again

Cheers Charlie

**gromit** · 7th May 2014, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by chazza

I bought this two years ago, but I can't see how to fit it so that the outlet is above the master cylinder. Perhaps it doesn't matter and if it worked for you, perhaps I have wasted my money again

Cheers Charlie

The metal reproduction one will outlast the plastic ones.
Has yours arrived yet Charlie ?

Colin

**chazza** · 8th May 2014, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by gromit

The metal reproduction one will outlast the plastic ones.
Has yours arrived yet Charlie ?

Colin

Nope!

**Lionelgee** · 8th May 2014, 08:50 AM

Hello All,

I have decided to modify my original "Plan A" for Baldrick. Plan A was going to be a full upgrade from a non-boosted single circuit brake system to a complete boosted dual circuit brake system. Instead, I will be reverting to a boosted single circuit system that temporarily has no vacuum line. I only want to be able to safely drive Baldrick to the diesel mechanic's workshop so I can have the engine compression tested and get an estimate for fixing the smoke problem. Hopefully it is only something minor like a timing or injector pump issue.

It will only cost me the effort of undoing six bolts to get the single circuit brake pedal box out and $80 to get a new single circuit boosted brake master cylinder to my door. As opposed to a remote reservoir from the UK that would only be temporary as I would like a boosted system. I had already restored and painted the brake pedal box and booster in preparation for "Plan A" last year. So the only new expense will be the $80 master cylinder.

The added benefit is that the single circuit master cylinder has its own integrated reservoir that is purpose built for the job! Therefore I will not have to consider the vagaries of positioning non-genuine remote brake fluid reservoirs

If the mechanic's news about Baldrick's engine is positive then I will get a fan belt driven vacuum pump like Phin installed on his Dutch camper.

I hope your new remote reservoir gets to you quickly Chazza and that it fits your needs okay.

Kind Regards
Lionel

**Lionelgee** · 10th May 2014, 09:08 AM

Hello All,

I was going to be a good fella and support the Australian parts suppliers.

Then I found out that I can get the brake master cylinder with reservoir delivered to my door from the UK for $53.00 Australian. The same part from Australian suppliers - the least expensive one, is $97.00 to my door. Both prices include postage.

I would really like to support Australian suppliers however I do not value being gouged

.

Interestingly the part should be arriving before the end of the month.

How is your order going Chazza?

P.S. Just a quick update - I received an email notification that I have been refunded the VAT on the brake master cylinder. So make that $48.70 - how about that for service

Kind Regards
Lionel

**Lionelgee** · 21st May 2014, 09:13 AM

Hello All,

Well my Series 3 Single circuit brake master cylinder arrived all the way from the UK at 10:10 this morning.

I placed the order on the 10th of May and it arrives on the 21st of May. Pretty damn good service I would say

.

Has your reservoir arrived yet Chazza?

Kind Regards
Lionel

**chazza** · 22nd May 2014, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Has your reservoir arrived yet Chazza?

Kind Regards
Lionel

Yes it has but I haven't had time to do anything with it; it looks to be well made,

Cheers Charlie

**Lionelgee** · 27th May 2014, 03:50 PM

Hello All,

I had some time to swap out the old single circuit brake pedal box and install the brake booster pedal box today. I then installed the new single circuit booster master cylinder and replaced the flex hoses. I used my wonderful Motive Brake Pressure bleeder so it was a one person job to bleed the system. I gave the lines a long flush and now the pedal feels pretty sweet. Well the test will come after I have installed the new clutch slave cylinder and have the wheels back on the ground and I can take it for a drive in the paddock.

One step backward though - as I was working on replacing the flex hose on the passenger side something caught my eyes on the front section of the leaf spring hanger. I thought that is an odd shaped hole. Then I had a closer look. I found that there is rust in the bent plate at the back of the spring hanger; just near where it joins the chassis rail.

Oh well this will not affect Baldrick going for a drive to the mechanic's to see about his smoking issue. Maybe I could try nicotine patches on the engine

Kind Regards
Lionel