Location of girling brake fluid reservoirs?

[DanEC]

Is there a pattern or template of where the three fluid reservoirs should mount on the driver side engine bay aluminum? I didn't see anything in the manual or the Owner Supplements.

Thanks

Dan

[patrickt]

No template, but here's a reasonable shot of mine, as installed by ERA. Ignore the stuff on the clutch reservoir, this shot was taken during a leak repair session.

[kgs365]

I have a pesky leak that won't go away that method will tell be if it's from the top or bottom of the can

Originally Posted by patrickt

No template, but here's a reasonable shot of mine, as installed by ERA. Ignore the stuff on the clutch reservoir, this shot was taken during a leak repair session.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by patrickt

No template, but here's a reasonable shot of mine, as installed by ERA. Ignore the stuff on the clutch reservoir, this shot was taken during a leak repair session.

Patrickt - it looks like I will end up with a very short piece of rubber hose between the reservoir and the chassis tubes - so I guess that in a way will dictate their location. And it looks like the back one has to clear the chassis brace that runs below it. I'm about ready to install those engine compartment panels and was going to pre-drill the holes first but now I think I need to do it after the panel is installed.

Thanks

[1985 CCX]

CSX3127
Rubber hoses were not used.......

[patrickt]

They're a pretty big PITA -- they leak, they blister, and they splatter out the little venting hole in the top. If you were going to forgo one "original touch" on your Cobra, this might be the one to skip over.

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by patrickt

They're a pretty big PITA -- they leak, they blister, and they splatter out the little venting hole in the top. If you were going to forgo one "original touch" on your Cobra, this might be the one to skip over.

Hmmm, maybe that's why Peter substituted a BMW reservoir when he transferred my list onto his quote sheet.

[Grubby]

Patrick is right. I had them on the last ERA. This one has the plastic BMW part. I have no urge to deal with leaking and blistering again.

John

[kgs365]

ha....the funny thing is i bought the Kirkham billet canisters....and they are made with a seal ....and they leak!......oh well they look great

[elmariachi]

O'Reilly Auto Parts carries a Dorman part in their "emergency parts' aisle that is for a GM reservoir and it fits the Girling lid perfectly. My have not leaked a drop on top since installing them. If no one here can find them I'll go get the part # in the coming days and post it.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

O'Reilly Auto Parts carries a Dorman part in their "emergency parts' aisle that is for a GM reservoir and it fits the Girling lid perfectly. My have not leaked a drop on top since installing them. If no one here can find them I'll go get the part # in the coming days and post it.

Please do. In that pic above you see the blue Sham-Wow cloth zip tied around the reservoir. I think I have the leaks on that reservoir limited down to only splash coming out from the lid, either through the little hole in the top or around the threads, and the Sham-Wow sucks it right up when it tries to make its way down. I stuck her in the bag that way in November and when I pull her out next month I'll check to see if there are any leaks from the fittings, etc. as I packed paper around and under so a drip would stand out. If I'm lucky and there are no drip stains, then that leaves the lid -- and your Dorman part might be just what the doctor ordered.

[elmariachi]

This looks like it, Dorman Help! 42072 - Master Cylinder Gasket | O'Reilly Auto Parts


...from a 2006 GMC Sierra pickup.

EDIT>>> Here is mine. The caps take on a slight crusty look just under the edges but my cans stay completely dry.



Credit to Hurricane owner Paul Proefrock for finding these.

[patrickt]

Thanks. You can see from my pics that I had fashioned some absorbent gasket-like material for the top of the cans, but the angled can for the clutch sloshes out more than the others and actually soaks that gasket -- and I don't really have much fluid in there, either. That rubber liner could be mucho perfecto.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Thanks. You can see from my pics that I had fashioned some absorbent gasket-like material for the top of the cans, but the angled can for the clutch sloshes out more than the others and actually soaks that gasket -- and I don't really have much fluid in there, either. That rubber liner could be mucho perfecto.

I run 3/4 fluid levels with no issues. What little bit of wear my cans show on the top ledges is prior to installing the gaskets. And I am using the original Girling lids and $7 Home Depot PVC glue cans epoxied black. And I crank the lids down hard.

[patrickt]

OK, assuming there's not a puddle of fluid in the bottom of my bag when I pull her out next month (like there was last year), that will be my very first job. I think it will do me quite nicely.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by patrickt

OK, assuming there's not a puddle of fluid in the bottom of my bag when I pull her out next month (like there was last year), that will be my very first job. I think it will do me quite nicely.

I pity a man that has to winterize his car in a plastic bag so if for some reason you can't find those gaskets drop me a line and I'll send 3 of 'em up.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

I pity a man that has to winterize his car in a plastic bag

-and roll bar(s) with mattresses zipped to them---no pity for that?????

[DanEC]

Great info on the inner seals. I'll look for those.

I suspected the original cars were hard lined all the way. But if anyone is looking that hard at my brake fluid cans they are going to see the rectangular main frame rails of my ERA and other differences anyway. I love the period look but you can only get so far without paying the price for an original.

Thanks

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by kgs365

ha....the funny thing is i bought the Kirkham billet canisters....and they are made with a seal ....and they leak!......oh well they look great

Kevin,

I bought the Kirkham cans as well, and ERA installed them on my 289 ... and one of them leaked a bit. Took a while to find, but some strategically placed paper towels narrowed it down to the front can, near the lid. I sent Thomas Kirkham some photos and he figured it out pretty quick. The cans are actually (2) parts and where seam is located, is where the leak was. Took the cans out and sent them to Thomas, they were repaired / inspected and returned very quickly, great customer service ... just like with ERA ... two great companies. Send Thomas an email, I bet he can help.

When I reinstalled the cans, I used new hose (from a Tilton kit) with a small amount of PBR grease on the hard lines, to allow the hose to slide up into place. There is a very short distance between the hard lines, and the rubber hose needs to be able to move. PBR rubber grease is compatible with brake systems, and ERA uses PBR brakes on their optional rear suspension setup with outboard brakes.

Hope this helps ... and yes, the cans do look good!

- Tim

[RAO-3]

After dealing with the peeling paint and leaks of the cans, I just finished taking them out and replacing them with the Kirkham cans as well...so far no leaks.

Peter had told me that I likely would not like dealing with the Girling cans and he was right!

Ray