1969 Elan S4 Tandem Master Brake Cylinder Question

[Certified Lotus]

The factory manual and Buckland's book both do not show this tandem brake master cylinder. I've searched the forums without luck to identify it. Can anyone show me what the OEM master brake cylinder looks like for this car? Does the OEM version have a cork as the float for the cap connection? This car does not have vacuum assist and is left hand drive (USA).

This could have also come from an Elan Sprint as parts of this car came from a Sprint.

[Mazzini]

Think it was fitted to Federal Elans and Plus 2's. Does your car have a brake fail warning light on the dash?

[pharriso]

Glenn, it looks exactly like that, as I said in your other thread you have the SOVY system fitted to a federal tandem system' it's all original!! Ray has a rebuild kit if you need it.

[Certified Lotus]

Mazzini, yes I have the brake fail warning light on the dash.

Phil, I looked everywhere for info in the prior posts on this site on the sovy tandem cylinder and only found one post which didn't give me a lot of information. I'm suspect of any brake master cylinder theses days as I've seen a number of variations and my own Elan S1 came with a tandem master that was not OEM. I'm just trying to figure out if this is original to the car and if so, is the float really made of cork?

[nmauduit]

I don't know if the cork is original, if it is it is enclosed in an aluminum tube on mine :

sovy top

[Certified Lotus]

nmauduit, that photo is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks. Now we need to see if others have the same system?

[oldchieft]

I think Girling had their own float alarm soon after that master cylinder.

When that one was made the Girlling alarm was a valve.

Master cylinder a delta P valva

I can post a section of the valve if you want but you would be better going for the simple answer.

Jon the Chief

[gjz30075]

nmauduit, that photo is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks. Now we need to see if others with cars built in the same time frame have the same system?

Fixed it for you

[pharriso]

Glenn, not sure if tandem master cylinders with the Sovy device were standard in 1969, but they certainly were on 1972 federal sprints.

You seem to be missing the aluminum can around the cork... But you can adapt new replacement parts from jaguar applications. Will post details later.

[pharriso]

Glen, to set your mind at rest here is mine after restoration:

SNG Barrett sell the Jag unit that you can use for parts - http://www.sngbarratt.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=f65fabf1-a6c9-46f5-b191-1172406bac46&b=US

Here's the posting on restoration - http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotus-suspension-f42/elan-part-found-stock-local-liquor-store-t14800.html

[Certified Lotus]

Phil, no wonder I couldn't find the post for the Sovy, I didn't look up liquor store. Now what was I thinking

I just located a new sovy OEM cap from a reliable source along with some other impossible to find parts that I have been looking for around the world. One step closer to completing my S4 with factory original parts.

[pharriso]

One step closer to completing my S4 with factory original parts.

Only problem with that is your car seems to have many Sprint parts!

[Certified Lotus]

Yeah, yeah..........an original S4 with tasteful Sprint upgrades. The best of both worlds 'cause there is no reason to only have parts from one model year

[lotocone]

Glen, I have a Federal Elan built in Dec. 1969.

My master cylinder looks like yours, except that the Sovy unit is in storage now. The plastic part between the master cyl and the metal container cracked, so I just have a plastic cap on the reservoir like Jon the Chief's picture shows. I have the dash warning light also.

Bob

[Certified Lotus]

Bob, thanks for the confirmation! I wanted to be confident that the SAVOY part was original so when I replaced it at a rediculous price I wouldn't be too upset. I think this is the last hard to find part I need to finish restoring my S4 with Sprint enhancements.