Planepal Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 I just jumped into the antique car hobby. I bought a 1941 Chevy 3100 AK. It has a 1954 235ci straight six with a 3 speed manual transmission. After my initial inspection, I found a leaking master cylinder and the left rear wheel cylinder is leaking. I think I’ll just replace all the wheel cylinders, the master cylinder and all of the brake shoes. The brake lines are in pretty good shape. I haven’t bought parts for such an old vehicle before. I’ve fixed up two International Scouts and I’m familiar with sourcing parts for those but does anyone have a recommendation for a good place to purchase my brake parts? I see plenty of parts on EBay but not sure of the quality of these parts. Any advice would be appreciated. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Welcome and nice looking pickup! Try "Chevs of the 40's". They are a large parts supplier for this era truck and should have what you're looking for. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramair Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 (edited) You have a great looking truck, does it have a standard underfloor single master cylinder? I was restoring my 36 GMC I found that it is best to check the “Big three” which is Jim Carter, the filling station and Chevy of the forties. The owner of the Filling Station, I believe his name is Steve has come to the phone when I was trying to find rare parts and gave me suggestions . For really rare obsolete Chevy parts check with Bryan at Classy Chevy, he found me a NOS OEM one year only glove compartment door lock with key Edited January 26 by ramair Misspelling (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Studebuddy Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 That's a good looking truck. Some parts you can still order new from auto parts stores. Looks like you can order the brake cylinders or the parts to rebuild the original brake cylinders for your '41 AK online from Napa Auto parts. Looks like they have other brake parts available for your truck as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge28 Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Another source is The Filling Station. They are GM specialist. Their parts may be offshore but you are guaranteed return if you do not like the quality. My choice would be to have the cylinders re sleeved with stainless steel. I had my 28 Dodge all done in stainless steel by a fellow in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada. Better than new which most likely made off shore. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RansomEli Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 (edited) I would advise against buying parts from eBay unless you can be sure they are OEM. I purchased front suspension parts for my 1998 Toyota Tacoma from eBay. They lasted less than one year. I then replaced them with discount OEM Toyota and MOOG parts from US, non-eBay vendors. The parts have lasted over 3 years and show absolutely no wear. The problem with eBay is that you don't know who manufactured the parts or what the quality control was. I will buy OEM parts from eBay, but I've read there's also a problem with counterfeiting. You usually get what you pay for. Now, I ignore the real cheap prices. Edited January 26 by RansomEli (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 (edited) The brake lines might be good but I would at least replace the rubber hoses. The system will be open and you will be bleeding it anyway, I personally would flush it and replace the fluid with DOT 5 as well. Edited January 26 by John348 (see edit history) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobileparts Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Plane pal, Welcome Aboard... Nice looking truck, indeed.... If you would prefer to go with Quality Parts--- you will want to give me a call.... 516 - 485 - 193five.... Craig..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramair Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Finding parts use to be the battle now it’s finding the part and trusting the part with your life. I recently had the hydraulic brake system freshened on one of my Packards, the previous owner indicated that was over 10 years since he did, which means probably longer. I did not want to take a chance on some crappy parts so I went to a trusted Packard parts company that has a stellar reputation and ordered parts, when we pulled the wheel cylinders apart everything was still in great shape, when we compared the parts on the cylinder kits the rubber looked flimsy and even the new brake hoses where not only much smaller OD but the ID was minuscule. We reused the old parts. Hint I think the question to ask your parts supplier is “ does the part come in a unmarked white cardboard box with a ink smeared stamped number on the lid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge28 Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Where money is concerned there are few people you can trust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 11 hours ago, ramair said: You have a great looking truck, does it have a standard underfloor single master cylinder? I was restoring my 36 GMC I found that it is best to check the “Big three” which is Jim Carter, the filling station and Chevy of the forties. The owner of the Filling Station, I believe his name is Steve has come to the phone when I was trying to find rare parts and gave me suggestions . For really rare obsolete Chevy parts check with Bryan at Classy Chevy, he found me a NOS OEM one year only glove compartment door lock with key Oh,oh,oh! Be still my heart! Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gariepy Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Fillingstation.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 10 hours ago, mobileparts said: If you would prefer to go with Quality Parts--- you will want to give me a call.... 516 - 485 - 193five.... Craig..... Craig only lives about 3 miles from me, GREAT STUFF and his family has been selling parts since before WWII! I used to buy parts from his grand dad in the 1960s. Excellent quality stuff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 (edited) If your wheel cylinders and master cylinder are original Apple Hydraulics can sleeve them. Turn around is fast. I prefer repairing or rebuilding any parts I can. Your shoes can be relined. I use Rochester Clutch & Brake. The condition of the truck makes it appear to have been restored at some point. Decades go by fast. Thoroughly check everything that may have been done. Blowing a wheel cylinder on a restored vehicle may indicate you hydraulic system is full of mud, not uncommon. Peel the boots back on the others to check for brown guck. Once it is fixed make it a routine to bleed the brakes every 1-3 years to flush absorbed water. Be sure to flush the rearend lube if it has been stored in an unconditioned space, could be water in it. Transmission as well. Don't trust anything someone else may have serviced. Edited January 26 by 60FlatTop (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave39MD Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 I would also consider joining The Vintage Chevrolet Club (VCCA). Lot's of Chevy specific knowledge on their forum to add to what you get on this site. https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/forum_summary.html A good parts wanted section on their forum that many with nos parts look at for your not so common parts. I use The Filling Station and Gary Wallace in Missouri. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planepal Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 Thanks for all the great suggestions. She’s going up on Jack stands Monday so I can tear everything down. I may rebuild the other wheel cylinders if they’re in satisfactory condition. The brake lines are about 10 years old but I’ll give them all a good inspection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge28 Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 The problem I had with aluminium cylinders after honing and fitting new rubbers always leaked . I was advised by Land Rovers North to use new cylinders assembly only. Most North American cars have cast iron made cylinders. They can be honed to fit new seals which is readily available. If the seals are made off shore you would be putting your life at risk. I am not sure if rubber seals made in India are of quality. They are touted to be the best rubber workers in the world. Land Rovers seals are made in India. I know for a fact that Rolling Stone Gather no MOSS parts are made off shore and I personally have lots of issues with their parts for my MGB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 On 1/26/2024 at 11:06 AM, 60FlatTop said: Once it is fixed make it a routine to bleed the brakes every 1-3 years to flush absorbed water. Or flush system and convert to DOT 5. (Not 5.1, as that is just regular glycol fluid). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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