MGB & GT Forum

Last summer I dragged my 74 MGB out of a 20 year slumber, replaced fluids and belts and miscellaneous parts and was able to enjoy a month of driving before winter set in.

I brought it out this year and barely put 300 miles on it when the clutch began engaging near the floor. I checked the fluid reservoir and it was down significantly. Added fluid and the clutch came right back up. Further inspection also revealed apparently that fluid had been coming down the clutch pedal as evidenced by darkening of that metal. Fluid that was topped in the reservoir was again down after a drive of about 40 miles.

I believe I have searched the archives and none answer my questions and I am hoping that someone might be able to help me out.

1. Given that the slave and master are 40 years old and never been replaced or worked on and the master is apparently leaking, should I plan on working on both while I am at it
2. Rebuilding seems like a better alternative to replacing and some of the threads indicate that it is fairly straightforward. I really have not done a lot of mechanical work on cars before other than the repair and replacement of last summer. Is rebuilding a simple enough job so that I should consider it or should I simply replace both due to their age?
3. If rebuilding is an alternative, some kits seem to only provide rubber seals. Other threads seem to indicate that the clevis pins should be replaced while you are doing this. Are there rebuild kits that provide all of the parts that you might need? Or do you have to order all the parts that you might need separately? Given ordering and shipping times, anyone have a suggestion of all parts that probably will be needed?
4. Any suppliers better than others? VB, Moss, Northwest?

I really enjoy working on the car (Not as much as driving) but my skills are limited and I am willing to learn. Thanks in advancefor any help you might be able to provide with my questions.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-07-29 01:55 PM by madison mgb.

After 20 years? Easy answer - buy new master, slave and hose. Cheap peace of mind.

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“Ideological certainty easily degenerates into an insistence upon ignorance". Daniel Patrick Moynihan

In any debate, the side which strays from civil discussion is usually the side that lacks confidence in its debate position or in the merit of their arguments. Making personal attacks on the opponents instead of staying on the subject is also a sign of weakness.

Anyone who feels compelled to respond in kind to any perceived slight is often suffering from narcissism.

Some will disagree but I've had 100% success with refurbishing MC's rather then replacing, did one just a few days ago.

The external condition of the slave is probably the determining factor, they can get pretty manky.

It's a pretty expensive exercise to automatically replace without question.

Depending on where you buy and which parts you buy, you could get the three parts for just a little over $100. If you want OEM MC & slave with a stainless braided hose, then that would be significantly more $.

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“Ideological certainty easily degenerates into an insistence upon ignorance". Daniel Patrick Moynihan

In any debate, the side which strays from civil discussion is usually the side that lacks confidence in its debate position or in the merit of their arguments. Making personal attacks on the opponents instead of staying on the subject is also a sign of weakness.

Anyone who feels compelled to respond in kind to any perceived slight is often suffering from narcissism.

From what I have observed your odds of being successful is about 1 in 2 per seal.

With a master that is one plus the slave. Thus remembering your high school math the odds are likely 1 in 4 or a 25% probability of it working correctly. Often they will work for short periods.

The local shop never does them. Not worth the $90 difference.

I have tried this several times in 42 years. I have had many gallons of used brake fluid.

Call Basil and have him send you a master, slave, hose and gasket.

You are then good for ten years! For sure.

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L.W.(Larry)Baygents
63B
77 Spit

Moss is showing a kit with master, slave and hose for $79.
I would do that.

I have zero faith in rebuilding later (yours) master brake and master clutch cylinders, have had many failures and quit doing it. Some clutch slave cylinders are rebuildable but the effort and risk is not worth the cost of a new unit.

My advise; Purchase NEW brake and clutch master cylinders (do both at once), NEW clutch slave cylinder, NEW slave cylinder hose, and NEW clevis pins. Consider the rear brake cylinders "while you are at it".

I use hydraulics from British Parts Northwest (NW).

I too awakened an MGB that had sat still for 14 years and all the hydraulics were rusted junk.

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Be safe out there.
Kenny