13 replies to this topic

[Shiney005]

Those PBR replacement master cylinders must have been good gear back in the '80's and '90's. Why weren't the "Big Nut" ones rebuilt?  

This is one of the most unmolested engine bays I have ever seen, (been in a shed since the '80's) and yet there it is. The horrible looking aftermarket thing bolted to the booster. Oh........and the lump of wood in the heater pipe.

 

 Unrestored 1976 HX Sandman.jpeg   353.26K   26 downloads

Edited by Shiney005, 02 March 2023 - 11:18 AM.

[Rockoz]

Working at my friends servo it was explained that it just wasnt economically viable to rebuild them.

They had shelves and shelves of PBR rebuild parts, which was handy for some stuff.

The cost of a replacement was about the same as the labour required to rebuild one.

And of course they bought them cheaper than that.

And then they had to warrant the replacement themselves.

They had replacement master cylinders and slave cylinders on the shelf for the most popular cars in the town.

Same with alternators.

Anything they didnt have on the shelf could be generally delivered the same day.

They could make money easier, and generally have the car on the road quicker by just part swapping.

 

Cheers

 

Rob

[N/A-PWR]

Happened when I asked the local brake shop about my LC GTR bignut, they said the after market one is better, and I had to exchange mine for one.
So I did without knowing what we know now. :dammit:

[76lxhatch]

Oh........and the lump of wood in the heater pipe.

"Bush" mechanic?

[yel327]

Those PBR replacement master cylinders must have been good gear back in the '80's and '90's. Why weren't the "Big Nut" ones rebuilt?
This is one of the most unmolested engine bays I have ever seen, (been in a shed since the '80's) and yet there it is. The horrible looking aftermarket thing bolted to the booster. Oh........and the lump of wood in the heater pipe.

Unrestored 1976 HX Sandman.jpeg

It’s a HX and they’ve used a HZ spec (back to front) master cyl and bent the pipes to suit. It was only in the last 10-15 years or so you stopped being able to buy the right ones. All the HQ’s I used to play with in the early 80’s had alloy PBR cylinders, if they didn’t you put one in as it was shiny, no-one wanted a rusty old piece of junk in there. The PBR alloy cylinders were like $50 trade in the 80’s.

[dattoman]

We rebuild big nuts almost every day

 

Most were replaced cause they were lighter... and aftermarket

Big nuts weren't really an aftermarket spare part

[Dr Terry]

It came down to several things.

 

Firstly as labour rates increased, it was cheaper (& quicker) to fit a new PBR alloy unit.

 

Secondly even if labour cost & time weren't a consideration, the old cast iron (big nut) was often too corroded to be able to be honed & rebuilt. You could re-sleeve it, but that added to the cost.

 

The average retail customer was happy with a nice new shiny alloy replacement. Concourse originality wasn't in their thoughts.

 

Dr Terry

[yel327]

That looks like a cast iron cylinder too Laurie, and it has HZ written on the side. It might have been used when put on. Not sure if it is a Girlock or PBR unit, can't say I remember seeing a cast iron PBR but I think they did exist.

Edited by yel327, 03 March 2023 - 07:37 AM.

[dattoman]

There were some cast iron cyls about made by a company in Adelaide with ABS cast into them 

[yel327]

There were cast iron Girlock cylinders too. I think the lid clamp opened the other way though

Edited by yel327, 03 March 2023 - 09:05 AM.

[claysummers]

There were some cast iron cyls about made by a company in Adelaide with ABS cast into them

These go back to the early models, single circuit as well. Adelaide Brake Service I think.

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[Shiney005]

That looks like a cast iron cylinder too Laurie, 

I couldn't see a big nut, so my brain automatically said alloy PBR.   The cast iron stands out like the proverbial now. 

[Ice]

That engine still has the stove hot pipe think thats what they were called 

don’t  see to many of them around anymore 

[Shiney005]

All of the hoses and clamps are original Gene. Even the overspray on the inlet manifold.