master cylinder best replacement

[AzTrailHunter]

I have a 1983 k5 blazer with an all metal master cylinder and it needs to be replaced but only the older years had the all metal ones for the replacement is there any master cylinder I should get that superior or should I just get a metal reservoir replacement I really prefer metal over the plastic.

 

[Truckman4life]

Are you running stock half ton brakes?

 

[AzTrailHunter]

Yeah

 

[K85 Octane]

I would stick to whatever came on the truck

 

[Truckman4life]

Yeah if nothing is modified stay with stock. I prefer brand new Napa stuff not the reman garbage they offer now days but you can go with Rock Auto or anywhere. I'm a professional mechanic and run a fleet of trucks for a power company and in my opinion you get what you pay for so don't go with the cheapest option if you can, just my two cents.

 

[AzTrailHunter]

I agree factory is the best I believe it has a master cylinder from the 70's because the reservoir is metal and not plastic like the later models or were 1983 reservoirs replacements just changed to plastic

 

[diesel4me]

I like the cast iron master cylinders that were factory up until the early 80's,but the later style aluminum ones with plastic resivours wont rust either..

 

[Truckman4life]

I have an '83 K5 and my factory one was all metal. I believe you can buy either style as a replacement. I just put an all metal one on my '79 K10.

 

[dyeager535]

Really not liking my metal (cast) master cylinder (MC) anymore. Since I built the truck, there was no "correct" master. It was this or plastic.

Granted, it's been on there for 10 years or more. However, cast iron rusts. Brake fluid attracts moisture. When I took the MC cap off to bleed the calipers a couple months back, the cap started leaking. Took the cap back off, the sealing surface was rusty, and the seal/rust had formed around each other. Removing the cap disrupted that formed seal, and caused the leak. Cleaned the sealing surface off, and reinstalled, seems to be ok now. But this wouldn't have ever happened with plastic.

If there are failures attributed solely to plastic MC's, I haven't heard of any.

Granted, my situation is also one I've never heard of before, but my conditions are probably different than many. Truck sits outside for long periods without being driven.