This device may be one fitted to electric milk floats in the 1950's who
wanted servo type braking assistance but had no manifold vacuum to use. IF
it is this device they were also used as aftermarket add-ons for the few
vehicles that upgraded to those 'new fangled disc brakes'. I have only seen
two, one was fitted in an early Land Rover and whilst the pedal pressure was
reduced, the distance travelled increased as it has to push more fluid from
the master cylinder to achieve the additional pressure. With poorly
adjusted brakes (and let's be honest here - from reading posts there are a
lot of those around!) pedal travel became a problem and the device dies off
as more vehicles had servos fitted as standard. I did (and possibly still
do) have one somewhere in the depths of the miscellaneous 'rubbish' pile
that came my way 20 odd years ago but never felt the need to use it. I
preferred to do my brakes properly. <smile!>
How they can claim it speeds up braking effect I'm not too sure but claims
then were worse than claims now. :-)
I'm sure that has been mention of them before on the Forum - a few years
ago.....
Guy R Day
A-H Sprite Mk IV
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter C." <nosimport@mailbag.com>
To: <bugeye@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: <midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com>; <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 5:46 PM
Subject: Boosted master cylinder?
> Listers,
> Whilst perusing a very old Lockheed hydraulics catalog, I happened on a
> listing for a booster kit suitable for 1958 Sprites. It is NOT a vacuum
> booster. The picture is vague. (The book was published in 1960.) It looks
> to be an additional cylinder mounting remotely. "It reduces the pedal
> effort required to operate the brakes, speeds up the braking effect and
> reduces fatigue." "Installed in a very few hours by a competent garage."
> It fits a whole pile of cars. "...MUST NOT be fitted to any vehicle...
> with a Vacuum Servo."
>
> Intriguing, no? I could see it working, though.
>
> Anyone ever see one on a Sprite, or??
>
> Peter C.
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