Early Brake Master Cylinder

[psdenno]

I searched the message archive and think I know the answer, but need validation before I talk to my mechanic tomorrow.

My Z has a 4/71 build date. I bought it NEW, however it's been sitting for years and I had all the brakes replaced - including the M/C. My mechanic used a later M/C. I've read that the reservoirs are switched on late '71 M/Cs and the lines to front & rear brakes need to be rerouted if going from an early to late M/C. Is that correct? Input appreciated.

[Arne]

Yup. I've got two early cars now, one with the proper cylinder and one with the later cylinder. The later cylinder does require the lines to be swapped at the master cylinder.

My red car was in the exact same boat as yours when I bought it. The previous owner had a shop replace the master cylinder and they used the later one without swapping the lines. It worked, but the brake balance wasn't right. I bought the correct cylinder from Nissan to correct the issue. The 'wrong' cylinder went on my other car (which will never be more than a nice driver, at best) with the lines reversed.

[DRBall]

Yeah I had to do same thing....Because my car is not worth the $250.00 or so for the "correct one"....Just make sure the new M/C is a 7/8" bore and move the lines...

[psdenno]

Thanks for the input guys - my mechanic has made the line switch and mounted the new wheels & tires. A few more things to check and I'll be on the road next week. Getting the Z roadworthy after 15 years in storage has now cost just a bit more than I paid for it NEW in 1971. Oh well.

[e_racer1999]

quick q in addition to this - does this apply to ALL 240zs? because i was going to swap in a 15/16" master from a ZX. do i have to replace all the lines to get proper balance? if that's the case, does anyone wanna buy a ZX MC?

[Arne]

No, Jason. Just the '70 and '71 240Z's have the odd early master cylinder. Your late '72 has the later cylinder with the front brakes supplied by the rear reservoir. I believe that is the same as the ZX cylinder, and you shouldn't have to reverse the lines.

[e_racer1999]

thanks arne, you're a lifesaver

[=Enigma=]

No, Jason. Just the '70 and '71 240Z's have the odd early master cylinder. Your late '72 has the later cylinder with the front brakes supplied by the rear reservoir. I believe that is the same as the ZX cylinder, and you shouldn't have to reverse the lines.

It's the same with the 73. I was able to mount up the ZX MC without making any changes to the lines.

[vercingetorix]

Is it possible to identify which cykinder is already in my car? I know that it has been changed,how do I identify if it is the proper cylinder? My car is an early 71.

Just curious.

H Houghton

[DRBall]

Front reservoir is in the front and marked front, rear is marked rear and is marked as such......BTW the front is bigger than the back....It's for the disc brakes...

[vercingetorix]

Thanks,thats exactly the info I needed,I'll take a look in the morning.

[FilipeA]

Hi

I have also an early 1971 240z, and bought a M/C from late 71 to 73, and nottest that the reseivor and diferrent the big one is at second place now,so the only thing that I have to do is swap the brake lines the front to rear and vice-versa?

I bought mine on Ebay, it`s from bendix unit, do you think it will works good, because I read another posts and said that will not work properly.

Thank You

Filipe Azevedo

Thank You