'39 Ford front brake wheel cylinders

COE Dan

COE Dan

Senior Member
Ford Barners,

My '39 Ford's left front wheel cylinder seized. I pulled the wheel cylinder and found the following:

Forward shoe cylinder diameter: 1-3/8"
Aft shoe cylinder diameter: 1"
Cylinder housing is cast iron
Pistons are aluminum
Cylinder made by "Industria d' Argentina"

PROBLEM: Seepage of the brake fluid over time past the rubber piston seals dried out and also corroded the aluminum pistons causing one of the two pistons to sieze. The cast iron housing is in good shape and I was able to pull it all apart. A cleaning will likely make these brakes functional again. But...

Questions:
1) Are aluminum pistons inside the wheel cylinder a good idea? (I've always seen machined cast iron/steel.)
2) I checked both Carpenter and Macs and they don't sell original '39 Ford style cylinders but they do sell the 42-48 style which they claim to be a replacement. In fact, I think the ones I have are replacements (42-48) and not originals but I'm not entirely sure. Does anyone know the difference?
3) Are there any USA manufacturers of either original or replacement (42-48) wheel cylinders? If so, where can I get them?

Thanks for the help.

COE Dan
 
Your wheel cylinder corrosion is a common problem for vehicles that are dormant for long periods of time or only occasionally used especially in humid climates. Since one cylinder has gone bad it probably wouldnt be a bad idea to check the others while you are servicing the car. Dont make a big deal about it just replace the wheel cylinders and move on. The later 42-8 cylinder works fine as a replacement. As a note while you have everything apart you should purge the entire system and replace the brake fluid with new fluid, check for corrosion at the master cylinder also as this is the next to corrode.
 
Dick gave you the best advice but if you want your questions answered directly. Yes the 1 and 1 3/8 bore size is for the 42-48 cylinders; 39-41 passenger originally had 1 and 1 1/4. I only have seen aluminum pistons, and when they seized, I have never been successful at honing them as they are usually pitted. Hence new ones (or sleeved ones) were in order. You would have to call the suppliers as US ones are drying up and even if listed in a catalog, they may no longer have them (and it seems all suppliers run out about the same time).
 
In a very informative post last year, Dick explained the problems with some of the currently-available aftermarket wheel cylinders. Thus buying brand new ones is a bit of a crap shoot. Sleeving would seem to be the safest approach.
 
There were some problems associated with rear cylinders. I had the bad rear cylinders. The front ones I had were ok. If the problems referred to were the same as I had, it did only apply to the rears, not the fronts.

Mart.
 
Thanks guys. I plan to do all the wheels and purge the system of old fluid. The brakes were rebuilt by the previous owner and I only flushed and replaced brake fluid regularly. I did find the pistons pitted as described so I don't plan on reuse nor do I trust the remaining cylinders.

I'll call around and see if I can find some good quality cylinders. I'll report back with what I find.

Dan
 
I wouldn't worry if it is just the pistons that are pitted. If the bores are pitted, that is when there is a problem.

Mart.
 
tdlmomowers said:
I work for Napa in Mansfield, Ohio. I will check and see what is available.
Click to expand...

The wheel cylinders for 42 thru 48 Fords are available through Napa. The part #s are, left front, 8264. Right front, 8265. Left rear, 8266. Right rear, 8267. We do not keep them in our store, but they are available at various warehouses .
 
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