Master cylinders on a 1969 Plus 2

[NickS]

Hi, I have been following these forums for some time. There is a lot of knowledge out there so I hope someone can help with my query.

I have had a 1969 Elan Plus 2 for just over a year. I have done quite a bit to it and its a heap of fun to drive in the high country of the South Island of New Zealand. It is mechanically OK and is just about ready to be finished off with a new paint job.

Recently I had a brake failure. After talking to a local classic car restorer I suspect master cylinder seals. When I pulled out the pedal box I found 1 Girling 70 cylinder with an extension fluid reservoir running the clutch and a Girling 5/8 runing the brakes (connected to the servo). This did not seem right to me. I would have throught the bigger cylinder with more fluid capacity would be on the brake circuit. The previous owner said he had overhauled the pedal box. Did he swap the cylinders positions accidently on reassembly??

If anyone can tell me what master cylinders were originally specified for the clutch and brake I'd be very grateful.

Thanks
Nick

[types26/36]

Sounds wrong to me, every car I have owned/worked on had a 5/8 bore clutch, the brakes normally have a .7 bore cylinder with servo and a 5/8 bore without servo.

[paddy]

I'm not sure if it is the same on the Plus2 but on the Elan the master cylinder positions are reversed relative to the pedals - ie (on a RHD car) the clutch m/c is outboard of the brake m/c.

It's easy to get confused as to which is which, so double-check.

Paddy

[NickS]

Thanks for that Paddy. Checked brake cylinder was definitely the 5/8" and the clutch was definitely the larger 0.7" cylinder. I have now seen a few engine bay photos on various websites. All show the brake cylinder with a larger fluid reservoir and a bigger body casting. I just want to be sure before I swap them back, brakes are sort of important.