Hello.

I'll gladly admit to being a bit of a newbie when it comes to minis, and what I call "fiddly" mechanics. Like brakes and clutches.
Anyway, i bought a 1973 leyland today, and the engine bay had some corrosion under the master cylinders.
I drove it for a bit and noticed the brakes really weren't doing much without pumping them a few times, but I put it down to brakes needing bleeding and adjusting.
It's a 1 owner car (well 2) and it's stock as a rock, so it's got the whole 4-wheel-drums thing going on.
After driving a while, I pulled over and checked under the bonnet. Seems like a fair bit of fluid coming from the master brake cylinder. But then, it was raining today, so perhaps it's just where water enters the engine bay.

Anyway, I'm going to want to upgrade to discs eventually, but can't fork out just yet. What's my best bet, save going down the road to racebrakes and forking over money I don't have?

Brake cylinder rebuild/replacement/upgrade to another car's item, adjust all 4 drums, or what?

Cheers.

well it depends on whether the brake master cylinder was leaking you have to find that out first if it is then a rebuild is needed as seals are screwed
but if not and the pedal isnt falling away i would say the first bet would be to adjust them up and try them not a hard job then if still concerns bleed and if still probs brake lines "if hard to bleed or if car pulls up to one side" then brake master cylinder
check the wheel and brake cylinders while your there then shoes then then then then WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF MINI BRAKE

yeah the world of mini brakes seems pretty damn uninviting. seeing figures of 800-2000$ for disc brake conversions :/

it pulls pretty hard to the right under braking, but i figured that was adjustment again.

what's this karsport or whatever that everyone keeps referring to? from what i've heard, their master cylinders are the business?

mnnmnm could be adjustment but it could also be a hose
does it pull to a side hard then kinda pull back or straighten up
and i think your talking about Karcraft its a business in Sydney someone will chime in with a site address
is it a single or dual cylinder master

pretty sure it pulls to a side then evens out a little.

there's 2 cylinders - i presume one is brake and the other is clutch?

yeah if they look the same it is a single and if one has two metal pipes comming out its a dual i would say being a 73 its prob a single but check anyway
www.karcraft.com.au
my experience with brakes is this they seem simple and are to a degree but get them set up by a pro first time it will save you in the end
disks will cost you depending on whether your willing to get 12 inch or bigger wheels 8.4 inch disks are reasonably priced
drums work fine though when set up right as i said take it to a pro if you feel there is a problem as i have heard of many "experienced home mechanics" having troubles and brakes are insurance

I'd check your front hoses- when they get old, they swell and close up. Our Clubbie did that before I changed them.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Bleed and adjust your brakes first and foremost. Free! and if that doesn't fix it then check everything else as suggested.

Go buy the Leyland black book or the Haynes service book. It will make "fiddly mechanics" seem simpler

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

i would imagine you have the single style master cylinder on line coming out replacement from karcraft is around 120 130 dollars when you get it also order a new clevis pin and may as well buy new rubber hoses just to make sure not sure on the prices though
send a email to ckarcraft .... one of the guys there gets on here occasionaly
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

ok free stuff.
will do asap.
will update on how it went.

(wtf is a clevis pin? guess i'll need that manual now then...)

i did up a quote from karcraft last night for hoses and master cyl. i'll see how it goes.

alright i checked again today... it didnt rain, and it wasnt wet. also the master cylinder is full, albeit the fluid looks a bit far gone.

i'm guessing it's adjustment and maybe lines need replacing. thanks guys!.

If you think the fluid looks off then you probably should flush the system with new fluid....some brake fluids are hygroscopic, which mean they absorb water...

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"Show me the Mini!"