TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun May 18, 2025 3:23 pm

All,
Had AC Industries front disc brakes on my 55 beetle - which I am very happy with.., but seems the MC is now shot. Is there any recomendations on which MC to buy.

The only record I have for a MC is 211611011JZ which shows up as a MC for a . 54-66 - Bus, I beleive this is correct, but want to confirm.

Still waiting to her from AC I for their response.

Thanks

Sun May 18, 2025 10:03 pm

I have run these brakes successfully with the stock 55-64 master, but had better pedal feel using a disc Ghia dual circuit master. Obviously converting to dual circuit is a bit more involved.. but worth it IMO

Mon May 19, 2025 8:09 am

Autohaus sells one for about $40 according to their website.

https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/211611011JZ?srsltid=...IGLWGy1vxi

Mon May 19, 2025 4:54 pm

ok, thank all...s..what is more involved with the dual MC, esde?
Have 2 lines for the front discs, and one line for the rear... maybe I am missing something...

Mon May 19, 2025 5:31 pm

The pressure side connections are straight forward. You will have to have some plugs or dummy brake light switches for the extra ports for the later model brake warning system.

Get a dual type fluid reservoir that mounts right on the M/C to cover the supply side. These are commonly found now. The old reservoir can be abandoned. It is not recommended to use the old reservoir and a "T" to feed both inlets to the M/C as a failure will drain all fluid, rather than retaining fluid for the working half. There are several threads that show the proper setup.

Mon May 19, 2025 10:00 pm

Here is a pic of the reservoir Dan22 is talking about,
exactly what I have on my oval. Not my car,pic found in the gallery.

Tue May 20, 2025 1:37 pm

I have seen an early metal reservoir cut down the middle, in half. Then a nipple was welded into each side at the bottom. Then the 2 halves are welded back together with a steel plate separating the 2. It ends up looking OG and satisfies the 2 independent banks.

I went looking for it and cannot find it. If you want something like that, you could probably do it yourself, or get a local welder to handle it, or PM me. I might have a free minute in the next few months!

I just remembered where I saw it! Right here on the Jungle Green build!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=40

It is about half way down page 3. It is a long scroll down!

Tue May 20, 2025 2:00 pm

We will add it to this thread Jimbo :D
vwhelmot wrote: Pics from the reservoir build. I wanted to keep it stock looking.

Tue May 20, 2025 10:31 pm

Awesome! But please edit your post to “thread”, not tread! That is when the spell checker is not wrong but is not write! (Get it!)

And thanks for inputting that. I am never sure if that is frowned upon or encouraged. I always try embedding a link so anyone who stumbles onto the thread, can get to the info. But I really like when the info is RIGHT THERE!

Thanks man!

Thu May 22, 2025 11:29 am

Thanks for all of the info, I would like to keep the original look of the reservoir, so may go with the 2nd option, and thanks for posting the pic.s!
The underneath reservoir is def a second option.
Thanks Dan for mentioning the "T" - have to see how mine is hooked up, been quite a few years
Again, appreciate all the help here.

Thu May 22, 2025 12:42 pm

mr matt wrote: Thanks for all of the info, I would like to keep the original look of the reservoir, so may go with the 2nd option, and thanks for posting the pic.s!
The underneath reservoir is def a second option.
Thanks Dan for mentioning the "T" - have to see how mine is hooked up, been quite a few years
Again, appreciate all the help here.
If you do go with the second option you can leave your original reservoir in place, so you would still have that original look. That's what I did.

Thu May 22, 2025 2:25 pm

I know I am late to the party and this may be more than you were looking to spend but....
Ron Lummus makes a Wilwood option (basically he makes the adapter to add to the Wilwood unit)

https://ronlummusracing.com/product/wilwood-master-cylinders/

I am putting this on my 54 with 4 wheel disc brakes (also wilwood).

Thu May 22, 2025 3:12 pm

Just to share what I intend to do with my dual circuit setup. I will use the provided dual reservoir, but then bore a hole in the top or in the lid, and use the factory single tube to remotely fill it. I think I can use the standard rubber bushing to connect the tube.

I will have extra volume for bleeding the brakes this way too.

If it fails for some reason, I will just dummy the factory reservoir in place and fill the dual from below.

Thu May 22, 2025 3:25 pm

Dan22 wrote: Just to share what I intend to do with my dual circuit setup. I will use the provided dual reservoir, but then bore a hole in the top or in the lid, and use the factory single tube to remotely fill it. I think I can use the standard rubber bushing to connect the tube.

I will have extra volume for bleeding the brakes this way too.

If it fails for some reason, I will just dummy the factory reservoir in place and fill the dual from below.
Thats a good idea, it would be easier to fill than doing it from the wheel well.
Post up some pics when you have it finished.

Tue May 27, 2025 3:40 pm

56Cabrio wrote: mr matt wrote: Thanks for all of the info, I would like to keep the original look of the reservoir, so may go with the 2nd option, and thanks for posting the pic.s!
The underneath reservoir is def a second option.
Thanks Dan for mentioning the "T" - have to see how mine is hooked up, been quite a few years
Again, appreciate all the help here.
If you do go with the second option you can leave your original reservoir in place, so you would still have that original look. That's what I did.

Yes, am considering that.

But am guessing to what the problem is.
The car was parked in its garage over the winter months, with occasional starting.
After about 5 months I pulled it out mostly to fix an axle boot leak.
As I was moving ti out there were no brakes, and no fluid in the reservoir!!
OK, went under the car looking for leaks at wheel cylinders, brake lines, MC, under the MC ( by touch) all piping going to the MC.. Could not see any evidence of a leak..
I then checked inside the bug, where the line comes in from the MC, right where it goes under the pedal.....pulled out the seat and visually and by feel inspected the line all the way to where it exits the car..looked good.
All this inspection was done after filling the reservoir and bleeding the brakes, which had air, but still brakes were non existent. I bled them again...There is barely front brakes near when the pedal reaches the floor.
No signs of leaks.

I may start another thread about this .. but this is why I am thinking it is the MC. I am sure the MC was full of air, but even with 2 brake bleeds, and no leaks seen... I should have some brake pedal, probably crappy, but not this bad.
I am thinking if it was a wheel cylinder, I would see fluid on the ground by now.

Possibly the fluid dried after sitting for months after a leak...
All brake rubber hoses look and feel good, and even they were not in great shape, I should have some pedal... not the last inch before the floor....

Pretty strange to me.
Car will be sitting a few days, and will check again for leaks.