1965 TBird master cylinder

[61polara]

I have a 1965 Thunderbird that I purchased from CA a few years ago.  The seller drove the car from CA to NC with no problems.  On one of my first drives of the car, the master cylinder failed.  I was able to steer the car into an uphill parking lot and get it stopped.  Towed home.  Replaced the master cylinder with a rebuilt unit from NAPA.  Bench bleed it before the install and all seemed great.  Two days later, I drove the car again and the master cylinder failed again and I rear ended another car at a stoplight at about 10 mph.  NAPA replaced the MC as defective.  NAPA and insurance covered all damages. Now to the questions.

 

The replacement MC had a warning tag that said "Do not bench bleed.  This unit contains original style seals"  NAPA had no idea what this really meant nor did I.  I bleed the second MC installed on the car, but am afraid of another failure.  Any clues? 

[paul2748]

Is this a single reservoir master?  Usually you don't have to bleed these.  The double reservior ones you usually have to bleed.

[Guest Blackpack]

It should be a single reservoir on a 65

[61polara]

It is a single reservoir. 

Edited May 30, 2015 by 61polara (see edit history)

[CTCV]

I strongly suggest you convert to a dual reservoir master cylinder. Not very difficult and much safer. I did mine on my 65.

[61polara]

Actually not much safer.  I've found that a dual master cylinder goes into complete failure as quick as a single master cylinder..  I agree, if you break a line then there is an advantage to a dual cylinder, but in 50 years of driving many old and new cars, I've never had a line failure (southern cars).  Wheel cylinder will go bad and leak but you have plenty of indication of that problem with brakes pulling and grabbing.  If it makes you feel better with a dual master cylinder, go for it.