Author Topic: 68 brake booster and master cylinder black?  (Read 2431 times)

Offline Murf

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68 brake booster and master cylinder black?
« on: November 21, 2012, 07:28:37 PM »
Preparing to remove booster and master from 68 San Jose built "J" code with a projected assembly date of April 03.  It is assumed that the booster/master cylinder were installed as a unit.  Is that the consensus?  Also that they were painted before shipping to the Ford assembly plants?  So what is the sheen of the black paint on this booster/master cylinder assembly?  Is is glossy or dull or something of a semi gloss.  Makes sense that the engine compartment was already painted black when this booster assembly was bolted on - is that correct? Was the booster more glossy than the black used on the engine compartment?   Any assembly line identification marks on the assembly, seem to remember some images of a "white dot" on the underside of the master cylinder but not sure of the application.  Also have seen a "red dot" on the booster of some restorations, not sure if it was a stick on dot or a daub or red paint to indicate inspection or recall or whatever.  So any help is appreciated and welcomed, and thanks in advance for your experience or images. 
John Murphy

1965 "K" GT fastback Honey Gold exterior, Ivy Green and White Pony interior, many options
1966 Conv., high option, removeable hardtop, thermactor "C" engine, AC, Springtime Yellow exterior, Black Pony interior
1968 California Special, "J" code, ,many options, white with red interior

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 68 brake booster and master cylinder black?
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2012, 12:14:07 AM »
Preparing to remove booster and master from 68 San Jose built "J" code with a projected assembly date of April 03.  It is assumed that the booster/master cylinder were installed as a unit.  Is that the consensus?  Also that they were painted before shipping to the Ford assembly plants?  So what is the sheen of the black paint on this booster/master cylinder assembly?  Is is glossy or dull or something of a semi gloss.  Makes sense that the engine compartment was already painted black when this booster assembly was bolted on - is that correct?


Unit painted by supplier a semi-gloss black



Was the booster more glossy than the black used on the engine compartment?

IMHO slightly glossier than engine compartment though some compartments were much flatter than others


Any assembly line identification marks on the assembly, seem to remember some images of a "white dot" on the underside of the master cylinder but not sure of the application.  Also have seen a "red dot" on the booster of some restorations, not sure if it was a stick on dot or a daub or red paint to indicate inspection or recall or whatever.  So any help is appreciated and welcomed, and thanks in advance for your experience or images.

Don't recall ever seeing a white dote on a 68 - the red daub  was related to the recall (Midland/Ross boosters only) and multiple fixes applied in later 67  but believe by April those the marks would no longer be needed. Though you will see 68 guys adding the mark - IMHO more a result of looking at NOS (post recall) units rather than finding the mark on their unrestored car ;)


Just checking but you are using a Midland/Ross booster on your car, aren't you? ;)
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

Offline Murf

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Re: 68 brake booster and master cylinder black?
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2012, 10:03:40 AM »
Jeff, sorry not to mention the type of booster.  I have the BENDIX booster.  It has no band that clamps the booster halves together but rather the two half lock together I think with a partial rotation after engaging the tabs.  Not sure if it has ever been changed.  It works very well and assume that it is original to the car but can not be sure. 
John Murphy

1965 "K" GT fastback Honey Gold exterior, Ivy Green and White Pony interior, many options
1966 Conv., high option, removeable hardtop, thermactor "C" engine, AC, Springtime Yellow exterior, Black Pony interior
1968 California Special, "J" code, ,many options, white with red interior

Offline ruppstang

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Re: 68 brake booster and master cylinder black?
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2012, 10:13:33 AM »
John the Midlands booster was the only assembly line unit. Yours must have been replaced at some time.
+ 1 on Jeff's comments. Marty

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 68 brake booster and master cylinder black?
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2012, 03:20:05 PM »
As Marty wrote - Midland appears to have been the supplier to San Jose in 67 & 68 and will be what judges are typically looking for at shows.
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

Offline Murf

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Re: 68 brake booster and master cylinder black?
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2012, 05:29:11 PM »
After considering this further, may as well bite the bullet and go with what was factory issue.  Does anyone have a good unit or one to use for a core? If you have one with the build ID tag on the clamp it would be a plus.  PM me at  j.w.murphy@comcast.net   .  Thanks to all
John Murphy

1965 "K" GT fastback Honey Gold exterior, Ivy Green and White Pony interior, many options
1966 Conv., high option, removeable hardtop, thermactor "C" engine, AC, Springtime Yellow exterior, Black Pony interior
1968 California Special, "J" code, ,many options, white with red interior