Brake fluid reservoir, Steel vs. Aluminum

johnshenry

When did they switch from steel to aluminum? Or was aluminum only a replacement part? I have some ideas, but they are only from hearsay conversations. Anyone have to documented story ???
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John Henry

'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab

Sunroof53 · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 3:16 pm Post subject:

Funny you should post this as i was about to ask whether anyone has a drawing for an early resevoir so i can make one for my 53.I was going to machine one from Stainless steel.I have never seen one ,even at swap meets to copy.I do remember SCVW repaired one when he restored his Black 53 a while ago. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2...;start=120

johnshenry · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 6:19 pm Post subject:

I have 2 of them, and considering selling one. Both are steel with steel caps. I also have an aluminum one in horrible shape, and have seen the aluminum ATE replacement caps around for years. Just trying to get a clear understanding of what the history is.

One of mine has been zinc plated, and the other is going to the plating this week. As you probably know, the tops get mangled as people tried to wrench them off.

I can post some pics of them here if folks think that would help...
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John Henry

'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab

EverettB · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject:

I don't know the answer but the 54-55 Barndoors I have owned had aluminum reservoirs. I'm assuming 54-55 Beetles did too?

So maybe replacement but also 54-55 as stock?
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johnshenry · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject:

I think in '54 and up the Beetles had the res behind the spare already. In fact I know they did in '54, with the M6 nuts. Maybe people were using AL bus ones on split Beetles as replacements.....
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John Henry

'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab

petrol punk · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:09 pm Post subject:

My 56 had a steel reservoir behind the spare with a rubber cap.
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36hp '56 European DeLuxe oval, '70 bug 1835cc dual 36DRLA, and a '98 4x4 5spd single cab Tacoma

alanhall · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:36 am Post subject:

Not sure about VW, but my early '53 356 had the aluminum can with the aluminum cap. Hard to find aluminum cans that are not rotted through at the bottom.
Alan Hall

johnshenry · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:16 am Post subject:

ZwitterND · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:48 pm Post subject:

My 11/52 zwitter has steel can & top, but then again I just found out that the exterior door handles are from '51. They must of emptied the parts bins when they built this thing.
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Bill

johnshenry · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:57 pm Post subject:

So no evidence of an aluminum res being used on a split/oval from the factory??
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John Henry

'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab

alanhall · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:00 pm Post subject:

Looked in the '52/54 worklshop manual to see if it said or showed anything. The only pictures of the master cylinder and reservoir show what appear to be the steel can with the larger radius corners at the bottom. No mention of any setup except the master cylinder with the attached can.

Alan

ProjectX · Accessory Nut Joined: May 01, 2006 Posts: 1014

My October '53 had an aluminum can originally, it was rotted through the bottom but I can attest to the fact that it was original Smile

And full of mystery sludge Smile

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Even my nuts are plated.....

195? Project "X"
1954 Oval Convertible

Nessy · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:21 am Post subject:

My Sept '53 still has its aluminium reservoir perched on top of the master cylinder, but the lid has a plain, flat top......
Do I take it then from reading this thread that the lids for aluminium reservoirs that have an octagonal boss on the top marked 'ATE' are in fact service replacements?
So my lid could be original factory fitment?

Wink

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1972 1302LS Convertible RHD

johnshenry · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject:

ZwitterND · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:54 pm Post subject:

Should there be markings on the cover if so what are they and from which side can they be read. Reason being I have purchased a couple of caps which were claimed to be NOS and a repro but each are different. Anyone got a picture of an original cover? My original cap was pretty much bonded to the resevoir and it appears someone used the jaws of life to remove it a couple of times. Shocked

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Bill

drscope · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject:

My 50 has an aluminum reservoir and I'm pretty sure thats the original one. My old man's 50 had an aluminum reservoir and my uncle's 50 has an aluminum reservoir.

I have few extras in my spares, but they are all eaten away. I've seen other bad aluminum ones at swap meets, but i don't think I ever saw a steel one.
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[email protected] · Samba Member Joined: September 22, 2002 Posts: 1243

any og pics of a steel one?

ZwitterND · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:00 pm Post subject:

Steel one I picked up somwhere, not sure what vintage.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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Bill

EverettB · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:28 pm Post subject:

ZwitterND · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:08 am Post subject:

Two aluminum caps, I was told the one on the right is OG and left is a repro. The knurling on right cap is larger. The repro cap is more rounded.

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Bill


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Brake fluid reservoir, Steel vs. Aluminum
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