Mastercylinder brand
 

Noticed a decent size leak on the brake booster, down the firewall and under the master cylinder. That will need my attention asap. I have never had to replace a master cylinder before, what brand should I buy/avoid.

Thanks in advance for you help!

'84 c10 350/350

Re: Mastercylinder brand
 

few napa units on mine . just did a carquest on a friends . and for the few extra bucks just get it with the tank on it .

do NOT bench bleed them with the stupid plugs they give you now a days . get a hose kit or make your own from 2 hard lines and a extra set of hard line nuts .

i did one with the plugs and it never felt right clamped in the bench vise using a long screw driver to plung it . took them out and did the hard lines i had ( had to go looking for them ) and the unit belched so much air it wasnt funny . felt super after this . installed and bleed system good to go .

Re: Mastercylinder brand
 

Since you're in Texas, I suggest buying one from an O'Reilly Auto Parts store. If it doesn't fit, it's easy to return. And more than likely it will have a lifetime warranty.

My truck's power steering pump, alternator, and radiator are from O'Reilly and have a lifetime warranty. Pretty hard to beat that!

As far as brands go, Raybestos, Wagner, and even AC Delco master cylinders may all come from the same factory as O'Reilly's BrakeBest brand. It's not like back in the day when each company made it's own products in Ohio, Indiana, or Michigan. I have a few of O'Reilly's BrakeBest parts, and have never had a problem with them.

BTW, make sure you get the correct M/C. Your truck probably has code JB3 brakes, which use an M/C with 28.6mm bore (1-1/8").

Re: Mastercylinder brand
 

Agree with Mike - but local to make a return simple. I like Oreily also, but any of the chain stores will do.

Re: Mastercylinder brand
 

I bought a Raybestos master cylinder for my 83 C20 and it leaked after one year. I replaced it with a AC Delco master cylinder and it lasted about 15 years and 45,000 miles. I now need to replace that AC Delco master cylinder and I bought another AC Delco one. I painted the new ACD mc because the factory cast finish rusts in about 6 months, even in the dry AZ desert. I also painted my existing ACD brake booster(which had also rusted) at the same time. The dicrhromate finish ACD puts on their boosters turns to rust quickly. I have noticed that newer model boosters come painted from the factory, not dichromated, so maybe they learned something.

Aa near as I can tell, all of the master cylinders are rebuilt parts, even the AC Delco ones. I have the cast iron type, not the plastic type, so maybe the plastic ones on a C10 might be new parts. The AC Delco parts cost a lot more, and all of the ACD parts seem to be made in China or Mexico, but I think they may have better quality control than other imported parts, but that is just a guess. Rock Auto seems to have the best prices, but sometimes you can get ACD parts on Amazon or elsewhere for a bit lower price, but I still trust Rock Auto over someplace I don't know.