Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rootes75 · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2025 8:47 am Post subject: Brake Master Cylinder

We are after a Brake Master Cylinder for our 1942 Commer Q2. The Master Cylinder is a Lockheed 14950.

We've had quotes of 400+ to replace this and tbh we haven't got that sort of money spare so wondering if anyone out there may know of one or know someone who might?
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

bjacko · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2025 7:36 am Post subject: Lockheed master cylinder

They are fairly rare used on only a few vehicles when looking through the Lockheed parts manual. The most likely place to locate one may be the Wolseley Car club as quite a few of their 1935 39 vehicles used the same unit. A Volvo car of the 1930's also used it as did some Tilling Stevens vehicles and Steels Engineering mostly mobile cranes.
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1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4231 Location: South Cheshire

do you really require a new cylinder, can you not refurbish the existing one?

Seal kit is only £18.30 see below;

https://morrisregisterspares.co.uk/product/master-cylinder-kit-1-14-see-chart-104-106-cowley-4-6-1214-to-25/

Rootes75 · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2025 1:36 pm Post subject:

The one we have taken off isn't correct tot he vehicle, its a later addition and has even had bracketry bodged together to keep it in the correct position.

We have stripped it however and all the internals appear in good condition, looks like its had a seal kit replaced before but we still get nothing from it.

There is plenty of suction when its plunged but it doesn't draw any fluid in at all??
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ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4231 Location: South Cheshire

Rootes75 · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2025 3:12 pm Post subject:

I some picks of the one we've taken off, after cleaning the cast numbers still aren't eligible.

I will post a pic to see anyone may recognise.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

Rootes75 · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2025 3:35 pm Post subject:

This is what we have taken off...

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Various Rootes Vehicles.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4231 Location: South Cheshire

That's very different to a 14950, here is where we get them from, you should be able to purchase one retail for around £219 although there will probably be VAT to pay.

https://ccparts.nl/en/product/master-cyl-s-outl-1-2-20-inl-3-4-16/

CC are the manufacturer who supply all the UK classic retail organisations.

Clearly there will be some re- plumbing required to fit the original!

bjacko · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2025 8:12 am Post subject: Commer Q2 Master Cylinder

The one shown is not a 14950.
According to a different section of the Lockheed manual it should be a 14896 is the correct unit. The Commer Q3 uses the 14950. The 14896 is a 1" bore unit Lockheed type B2.
It also doe not look anything like the picture above. It is used on Commer, Morris, Singer and Wolseley. Morris 10 and 12 SerII and 10 Ser III 12 Ser II 10 CWT van, quite a few Singer cars of the 1930's and a few odd Wolseleys use the one you want.
The repair kit is Lockheed Part number KL71410.
There is no Lockheed Cylinder that looks like the one in the picture.
Some of the cylinders don't have to suck fluid from the reservoir they are gravity fed.
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1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 2117 Location: East Yorkshire

Looks to me like a past user has fitted, or tried to fit, dual circuit braking?

IE separate lines to front, and back brakes.

So fitting an original spec cylinder might also involve changing the pipework as well?

Have you tried pressurizing the reservoir using one of those pressure bleeding kits? [Spare tyre connected to reservoir top]?

Or, does the reservoir have an air hole in its cap, that is clear?

[Obviously too late now, as you've dismantled the system......but if fluid is not reaching the master cylinder, then an air hole in the reservoir cap that is blocked up, can cause the same issue...Much like a fuel tank with a blocked breather?]
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

Rootes75 · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2025 3:46 pm Post subject:

The Cylinder that we have removed is just a one pipe in from the reseviour and then the old style banjo fitting at the back to take off a line to the front brakes and a line to the back.

Then it has the two long bolts through the casting to hold it to the homemade back plate.
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Rootes75 · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2025 3:48 pm Post subject:

The correct type should be a flange fitted master cylinder which our cross-member still has the original fixing holes for.

From another forum I am on I've been sent a copy of the Lockheed part book and Bjacko you're correct, for the Q2 it should be a Type B2 which is the 1" Bore 14896 not the 14950 which is a Type B1.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.