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Replacing that worn out Master Cylinder on a 55-57 Chevy
from Henry T.
If you can, it is preferrable to replace your original
master cylinder with a two-stage system. There are several kits available
to do this project. However, replacing the original master cylinder with
one that is very similar and will bolt right up is also ideal to keep more
of an original appearance as well as provide safe stopping for your shoebox
Chevy. The original 4-bolt master cylinder design was abandoned right after
the shoebox era. The two bolt master cylinders have been used ever since.
Finding the right master cylinder can be expensive
as well as a real headache. There is, however, a real quick and simple
replacement unit that will bolt right in. The master cylinder for a 1964-1966
Chevy C-10 pickup will fit right in, using only the two bottom bolts instead
of all four.
Carefully bending the brake line just enough to aim
correctly into the new master cylinder is about all the modification necessary.
Removing the top two bolts first is preferred, but not necessary.
NOTE: There are several other older GM master cylinders that will also fit your shoeox.
Replacing the original rear shocks with air shocks on a 55-57 Chevy
from Higgy
If you want to add air shocks to your 55-57 Chevy,
here is an important tip.
The rear shocks on the shoebox Chevys were mounted
directly into the body metal of the trunk. This works fine for normal applications.
However, if you add air shocks to the car or station wagon, the body metal
is not strong enough to support the added force the air shocks will exert.
The result - two huge holes in your trunk.
There is a bracket available that will solve this
problem. It is a steel bar that is placed between the frame rails, just
over the rear axle. It can be welded, bolted into place or both. The cost
is about $70 and it is well worth the money.
This allows your air shocks to be bolted into the
bracket and it will support the rear of the vehicle without any problems.
Getting the shocks bolted into this bracket is a pain because of the very
limited space left to work in. But, the end result is well worth the hassle.
The bracket is available from many classic Chevy specialty
shops.
Finding the right master cylinder can be expensive as well as a real headache. There is, however, a real quick and simple replacement unit that will bolt right in. The master cylinder for a 1964-1966 Chevy C-10 pickup will fit right in, using only the two bottom bolts instead of all four.
Carefully bending the brake line just enough to aim correctly into the new master cylinder is about all the modification necessary. Removing the top two bolts first is preferred, but not necessary.
NOTE: There are several other older GM master cylinders that will also fit your shoeox.
The rear shocks on the shoebox Chevys were mounted directly into the body metal of the trunk. This works fine for normal applications. However, if you add air shocks to the car or station wagon, the body metal is not strong enough to support the added force the air shocks will exert. The result - two huge holes in your trunk.
There is a bracket available that will solve this problem. It is a steel bar that is placed between the frame rails, just over the rear axle. It can be welded, bolted into place or both. The cost is about $70 and it is well worth the money.
This allows your air shocks to be bolted into the bracket and it will support the rear of the vehicle without any problems. Getting the shocks bolted into this bracket is a pain because of the very limited space left to work in. But, the end result is well worth the hassle.
The bracket is available from many classic Chevy specialty shops.