Okay, I am considering buying a 56 Buick Riviera Special 2 door hardtop. From what I keep hearing, the master cylinders on these cars were a one-year only deal and are quite expensive! As I plan to use this car as a driver and slightly modify it (it isn't an all original car), I am not too concerned about the originality of the master cylinder. Are there any known master cylinders off of more common cars that can be used? Something that isn't $475 for a rebuild kit? As I am more familiar with Chevys (I have a 56 Chevy too) I thought I would ask the Buick experts on this one. :TU: Thanks in advance!
http://www.teambuick.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/2283/cat/3/date/1207641270 Have a look at this link. It is a disc brake set up including master cylinder for 54 - 56 Buicks for $1100. May be an option if you plan on using the car regularly. I am not aware of any replacements for the 56 master cylinder as it has a very small diameter bore. I plan on upgrading my 56 to a late model set up with power disc brakes. Ross
Perfect! Thanks for the info. Im going to look at this car Saturday, I'll post pics if I buy it. Thanks, Brian
Instead of spending $1100, spend the $475 for the correct master. Bleed it properly and you won't have any further issues. Problem solved. :TU:
The guys at Apple Hydraulics are great. From their website they say they can sleeve and completely rebuild the 56 master for 325.00. They rebuilt and stainless steel sleeved the 4 piston calipers on my 69 Riv. Their work is outstanding. Never had a problem since www.applehydraulics.com
A stock rebuilt master cylinder will only be as good as a stock original master cylinder. The problem is you still only have one piston and if any hose, line, or wheel cylinder fails you have zero brakes. Since emergency brakes of this era are more for parking than emergencies that leaves you just downshifting and looking for the softest thing to hit. For your sake and the sake of everyone else on the road upgrade to modern dual circuit brakes. From what I have seen there are not many setups that can't be solved with a little creativity and minimal fabrication. If you must keep the original single piston master cylinder replace all lines, hoses, and wheel cylinders regularly and check them thouroughly at least once a month.
I Had The Same Problem, Can't Get A Booster In The Tight Location. Well I Posted A Search On Ebay And Found An Origanal 56 Manual Brakes Master Cylinder Rebuild Kit. I Paid Like $40 And Installed It. Workes Like New. Sence Then I Have Seen Several Master Cylinder Rebuild Kits On Ebay. If You Have Any Questions Email Me.
Matt is "dead" on. If originality isn't an issue, dual-circuit brake hydraulics are the only way to go. Devon
Devon, Correct you are, I just had my 64 Wildcat converted to a dual line/disc brake setup. What an incredible change in how it stops that heavy Buick. It stops like a modern car now, and that peace of mind is priceless. If you want to drive it, convert it. Worth every penny :TU:
I've been trying to think up something for my '55 along the same lines, but I don't want to go with a more modern master cylinder. Is this a very labor intensive task and does anyone have any recommended master cylinders?
I'm also looking for changes to my 55, I was wondering if anyone has converted to front disk? Earlier in this tread someone mentioned a kit for about $1100. I was told by a vendor I saw in Carlisle that 55 buicks had a funky front end and that it would be very difficult to convert.
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=107789 http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=28895 Try http://www.scarebird.com . They were looking into a '55 kit within this thread: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=101040 Devon
