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MG MGA - Removal of Master Brake Cylinder, etc.

I would like to remove the master brake cylinder to replace,clean up the area beneath and paint. The wiring harness goes through the opening on both sides beneath the master brake cylinder.

Does anyone have any helpful hints to get around this problem?

It looks like a level 10 job to remove and repaint the surface where the heater,master brake cylinder,wiper motor, etc sit. How much am I in for doing this job?
Ray Ammeter

I think it's about a 3 case job, half a case a day for 6 days. It is best to remove everything from the heater shelf all the way across, and also from the vertical bulkhead if that could stand painting at the same time. The tough commitment is deciding if you want to disconnect the main harness from the dash so you can pull the harness out of the bulkhead.

The cable running through the MC bracket goes to the wiper motor and dipper switch (on LHD cars). You will most likely be removing the wiper motor as well, so the only additional task is dismounting and disconnecting the dipper switch.
Barney Gaylord

Ray, After doing all of that you may consider stuffing a piece of cloth under the master cylinder (making sure that it cannot be seen) to catch any future weeps.
Barry Bahnisch

When you are finished and it once again looks wonderful you will realize why regular brake fluid (paint thinner) will NEVER EVER come near any MGA of mine. No matter what arguments can be devised to justify the use or regular fluid, the "will not damage paint" quality of silicon fluid make it my only choice.
R J Brown

Got to agree with R.J. it is worth putting up with the myths? of silicon fluid to enjoy the no damage to paintwork when the inevitable happens. As for placing a hidden cloth under the master cylinder I am amazed, would that not make the problem worse by holding both water and brake fluid directly against the paitwork. It would act like a sponge I would imagine?
Bob (robert) Midget Turbo

The only thing that I find amazing is that there are apparently still MGA "enthusiasts" who wait until brake fluid has destroyed their bulkhead paintwork before they wake up that they have a master cylinder "leak". Presumably they are hoping that the "tooth fairy" will magically rectify it! Luckily I do not have water floating around this area on either of my MGA's, just as well given the amount of electrical componentry that is mounted on the bulkhead! The pros and cons of silicone brake fluid have been debated "ad nauseum" here and elsewhere, suffice it to say that like many other MG owners I stopped using it many years ago.
Barry Bahnisch

Thanks everyone for their thoughts. Sorry I didn't get back sooner. I want to get the 5 speed tranny and the rebuilt engine back then get it back on the road, but the shelf could use a clean up and a paint job. Lots of work and no time but on the weekends.

Ray
Ray Ammeter

This thread was discussed between 17/05/2008 and 24/05/2008

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