Cusser
+1y
I'd recommend a good-quality master cylinder, or actually what I have is a lifetime-warrantied one. I've had my '88 18 years now, and I've gone through numerous brake and clutch master cylinders and clutch slave cylinders. I have NOT ever had to touch my rear brake wheel cylinders.
Remember to measure the depth of the recess in the existing master cylinder and the new one, and adjust the brake/booster pushrod accordingly so you get close to the same amount of free play.
Master cylinder brake hints and tips
(1) Bench-bleed the cylinder before installing.
(2) Use a flare wrench for inital loosening and final tightening of the lines.
(3) For brake master cylinder: adjust the pushrod length so that the freeplay is the same as the previous master cylinder (measure depth of bores, and adjust the pushrod the difference)
(4) Don't bend the line after it's loose
(5) Thread in the line fitting several turns by hand to avoid cross-threading, maybe even get this started before tightening the MC mounting bolts.
Brake vacuum booster testing
A vacuum booster can also be checked for internal leakage with a vacuum pump. Remove the vacuum hose from the check valve and connect the vacuum pump directly to the check valve or inlet fitting. With the pedal released, you should be able to draw a 17- to 20-inch vacuum, and this vacuum reading should hold steady for several minutes. A leak in the control valve or booster chamber is indicated if the drops. Next, apply the brakes with moderate pressure on the pedal. An immediate drop in the reading should occur as the pedal moves. Draw the vacuum back to 17 to 20 inches and observe the reading to make sure it does not drop more than 2 inches in the next thirty seconds. A leaky diaphragm, control valve, or vacuum chamber is indicated if it does drop.