Tandem Brake Cylinder again!

[terryp]

Not for my Elan but for my Ginetta but the same question ....

Whats the current thinking about a tandem cylinder and the best one to go for?
The options that I can see are -

APR Master from Caterham Cars but ?????
Standard Tandem from Caterham Cars
Spitfire tandem with some sort of modification on the reservoir - anyone done this?

Thanks

Terry

[UAB807F]

Hi Terry,

The first two options are no doubt easier on the work but probably harder on the wallet !

Along with quite a few others I fitted the spitfire tandem with a remote reservoir. I bought a land rover reservoir which had a level indicator but you could adapt the original I suppose.

I have seen the spitfire tandem used on a Europa with the original wedge shaped reservoir because even when mounted horizontally there's still some fluid in reserve, just not enough for my comfort zone !

Brian

[terryp]

Brian
Thanks or the reply, how does the remote reservoir get connected as I thought it was only a push fit with o rings into the master cylinder?
Thanks
Terry

[terryp]

I can't really see how this one would not work, ok the level indicator would be wrong , but surely it's enough spare fluid in there up to the edge of the filler cap?

[nmauduit]

I can't really see how this one would not work, ok the level indicator would be wrong , but surely it's enough spare fluid in there up to the edge of the filler cap?

IMG_1163.JPG

You may be able to fit an horizontal reservoir if that is your only concern (RDent offers some new ones for $134 - no affiliation - used one do pop up now and then but may no be as pliable as new ones). The main issue is usually the outlets being on the "wrong" side...

[Craven]

Hi,
It?s a lot easier than you may think, you can buy fittings that push into the rubber grommets left when you remove the original tank, I went for a remote reservoir but I think you will find spacing and size is universal. You will need to change the push rod.
FWIW
Ron.

[UAB807F]

Brian
Thanks or the reply, how does the remote reservoir get connected as I thought it was only a push fit with o rings into the master cylinder?
Thanks
Terry

The wedge reservoir is a push fit into two rubber grommets so I just used two 90 deg connectors in the same grommets and mounted the reservoir on the inner wing.

In fact the photo that Craven has posted could easily be my car.... if my car was that clean & neat !

Brian

[Galwaylotus]

I would think you could remove the reservoir from a Spitfire tandem m/c and replace it with a remote reservoir. It would then look like the AP tandem m/c I installed on my car.

[terryp]

Thanks for the replies?

I can't get my head happy with a remote reservoir, what happens if the connection pops out?

It's unbelievable how there have been so many cars with a standard Girling cylinder and they don't make a cheap tandem upgrade.
I found a Morgan one for ?150?

Terry

[UAB807F]

Well, if the connection pops out you'll need to clean up the engine bay at the very least...

Ok, being serious then yes, it could happen. However it's not going to stop you braking because the chambers are already full of fluid so you'll get at least one full application of the brakes before disaster strikes.

Although it's very unlikely that's one reason why I opted for a level detector in the cap. Failure anywhere on the connecting line and you'd expect the reservoir to empty very rapidly and the warning light come on, which gives you time to stop.

And it's not a home-grown bodge, remote reservoirs with push fit connectors come on mainstream cars as well, just not the cars we're normally familiar with, Fiat for example.

Brian

[Craven]

Hi,
A one big advantage I found with the remote is the simplicity of power bleeding the dual circuit brakes. As the reservoir has quite a large capacity there?s no need for a separate fluid supply simply connect the pressure cap, leave the bottle empty and apply the pressure.
Reason for mentioning this is in reply to terryp?s worry about connections ? popping out ? my setup withstood the continuous 20 psi used the bleeding process with no sign whatsoever of any movement or leak. These push in connections are used on many applications they are simple but very cleverly designed, once pushed home they can?t be pulled out let alone pop out.
FWIW
Ron.