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Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:55 am

I will need to do a brake job on my '63 shortly and I'm considering a change to T-III rear brakes. Obviously I will need to track down the parts and machine the drum snouts down, but will I have to change the master cylinder to a dual circuit?

Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:00 am

jonny1309 wrote: I will need to do a brake job on my '63 shortly and I'm considering a change to T-III rear brakes. Obviously I will need to track down the parts and machine the drum snouts down, but will I have to change the master cylinder to a dual circuit?

No, not if you don't want to.

Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:13 am

No, you don't have to....but I'd highly recommend it. While you've got the system drained why not bolt in the new master? I know there are some hard line issues, but I feel the extra brake circuit is worth it for the added safety it provides. Currently doing Type III rears, front discs and dual circuit master on my '64...can't wait to try 'em out! :D

Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:16 am

mailman wrote: No, you don't have to....but I'd highly recommend it. While you've got the system drained why not bolt in the new master? I know there are some hard line issues, but I feel the extra brake circuit is worth it for the added safety it provides. Currently doing Type III rears, front discs and dual circuit master on my '64...can't wait to try 'em out! :D

I agree and should have added that to my post. Worth the effort IMO to make the minor mods needed to have "Modern" :lol: 1967 and later brakes :wink:

Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:17 pm

keifernet and mailman, thanks for the replies and the advice. I will give the dual circuit m/c some consideration with regard to my time line. I am considering a disk brake setup for the front and may change the m/c at that point. The rears are my priority right now as I have spun the threads on a stud hole that has previously been helicoiled. And they could use some freshening up anyways.

I've been searching previous posts and having trouble cyphering the reservoir issue. I will continue to search and read. Mailman what is your solution for the reservior? Also, did you find used T-III brake parts or did you buy new?

Thanks, Jonny

Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:57 am

jonny,

I bought all new parts for my Type III conversion, except for the backing plates, which aren't available new, I'm told. I called Bill & Steve's (I think that's the name), the Type III specialists, and they hooked me up with new drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, hardware, seals, etc. They also told me about a salvage yard not far from their place where I could get good used backing plates, which I did.
As for the reservoir, I've decided to mount a mid-80's Volvo 240 reservoir right on the master cylinder, and feed it from the stock reservoir. I found that info here on the Samba, and I can fix you up with a link if you need it.
Mine isn't up and running yet. Still doing a complete chassis rebuild. Can't wait to try out the new brakes!
Good luck with your project, and let us know how you make out!

Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:16 am

i bought a set-4lug type3 -here in san diego. both backing plates,both drive flanges,both drums for $50 plus tax. they charge extra for cylinders,shoes and i figure why pay for stuff im going to replace with new anyways. ecology and other yards charge per piece.

Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:21 am

Mailman--what's the link to the volvo info?

Thanks!

Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:06 am

Mailman, I would like to see the link. Just so I understand, you plan on putting the volvo res fight on the m/c itself and tap the line from the stock res into the volvo res? That would be a way cool setup. It would look stock in the trunk and you wouldn't have to try to fill the res right at the m/c. Jonny

Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:52 am

Just got back from a road trip trying to find brake fluid reservoir info.

Here's the link I spoke of:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=297097

Here's what I learned on my road trip..... the reservoir fits '82 thru '87 Volvo 240's. The new parts dealers don't carry it......dealer or junkyard only. The Volvo part # is 1206007 (unconfirmed). Dealer can order one for $76!!!
Called a local wrecking yard that stocks foreign car stuff....he thinks he has several, and is checking for me; says he'll call back. If he has them, I'll buy them all, and then offer the extras for sale here...but not for $30. Depends on what I have to spend.
Looks to me to be the way to go....I'll get back with more info after I hear from the wrecking yard.

Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:57 am

jonny,

Forgot to add...

Yes, I plan to mount the Volvo unit directly to the m/c. I'll mount my stock reservoir in its stock location, then run the stock steel line (to prevent tie rod chaffing) down to the dual circuit reservoir and tap into either the top of the reservoir or the fill cap.
Also toying with the idea of connecting the two with braided stainless brake line, but I'd need to source some bulhead-type fittings for each end.
End result, stock appearance with dual circuit performance...cool!

Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:18 pm

Well, I'm back from the wrecking yard. I scored one reservoir, and have a promise of another one tomorrow.
The Volvo part # that I mentioned earlier is, indeed, correct.
This is gonna be so cool!! :D

Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:28 pm

Let me know if you got one you want to get rid of.

Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:59 pm

dose anyone know where to find the brake springs for late type 3 rear brakes? i cant seam to find them anywhere and it is the only pieces left i need to find to install them.

Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:32 pm

Mailman, thanks for the info and the link. Also, let me know if you come across another res. I am definitely interested. When you get your system set up, I would love to see pictures. Jonny

Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:57 pm

Jonny....I should have an extra one tomorrow, but whether its available or not is unsure at the moment. Someone else asked first, and I need to hear back from him yet. If he doesn't want it, I'll let you know.

Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:55 pm

Does that resevoir just press into the master cylinder? And how secure is it?

Wish I had had this info when I ordered all my brake parts from Vic's. I would have preferred to use a dual-circuit, but couldn't figure out how to hang the resevoir on my buggy.

Thanks for the link.

Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:40 pm

The master cylinder comes with two fittings on the top, one to feed each circuit (thus, dual circuit). Each fitting is pressed into a rubber grommet. They are so secure, that I'm betting you couldn't pull one out with your fingers (I couldn't). You have to work at it a little to get them out.
The Volvo reservoir comes with two pipes, or tubes, on the bottom....coincidentally the same size as the fittings from the master cylinder, and the same distance apart. The reservoir just press fits into the master cylinder's grommets....very securely. Remove the fittings....install the reservoir. Its that easy. It won't leak, won't vibrate out, won't be any trouble. This is the way that Volvo designed it to install in their master cylinder. Check the pictures on the link I posted earlier....

Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:19 am

A 68-79 Type 2 master cylinder reservoir will also work very well. It has no cap, just an inlet port for the hose as the busses main fluid reservoir was inside the cab. You can simply plumb it to the beetle's stock reservoir. I used a small brass threaded fitting and screwed in a different size hose fitting in each side to take me from the bugs small hose size to the Bus's bigger hose. Make sure you use the proper BLUE hose.

Fri Apr 21, 2006 12:24 pm

DrDarby, how does the T-2 res connect to a T-1 dual circuit m/c? I assume it sits right on the m/c. Any pics available?

Thanks, Jonny