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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: mysticdragon72 on April 15, 2014, 11:20:37 pm

Title: 85 C20 Master Cylinder replacement - what brake system?
Post by: mysticdragon72 on April 15, 2014, 11:20:37 pm
Hello all,  I am new here and have a question about replacing the master cylinder on my Scottsdale.  It's an 85 C20 3/4 ton and has been sitting for about 7 years... the master cylinder was leaking before we took it off the road so needs replacing but when we went to the parts store they asked us what brake system is on the truck?  The guy told us that the info would be on the sticker inside the glove box... well the only info in there is all about towing capacity and max. load ratings.  I have done a search on here and the one thread I found gave me a little info but I'd like to clarify with y'all first.  According to the info in the thread I found the truck should have a JB7 brake system but on the master cylinder it has 1 1/8 which I'm assuming is the bore size and according to the parts listing online that is for the JB6 brake system.  Could it have the wrong size on it?  No history on the truck other than it was a farm truck before we bought it soo...   Any advice?
TIA for any replies.
Mystic.
Title: Re: 85 C20 Master Cylinder replacement - what brake system?
Post by: 81GMCBILL on April 15, 2014, 11:35:41 pm
i believe there wanting to know if its a "conventional" or "hydro-boost" system.
Title: Re: 85 C20 Master Cylinder replacement - what brake system?
Post by: bake74 on April 15, 2014, 11:35:53 pm
     First off welcome to the site. 
     1985 is the first year they started having hydro-boost brake systems on our trucks.  Unfortently we do not have a 85 manual in our tech section.  But here is a link (http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=25639.0) to where you can look up the 84 and 86 manuals, look in section 5 of both manuals and it will be very clear by comparing to yours if you have mechanical or hydro-boost.
Title: Re: 85 C20 Master Cylinder replacement - what brake system?
Post by: Irish_Alley on April 16, 2014, 01:41:17 am
diesels come with JD3, JD5, JD6 and JD7
gassers come with  JB3, JB5, JB6 and JB7
now here's the kicker for gassers if its a plastic reservoir its a  JB3, JB5 or JB6
if its a cast reservoir its a JB7

If your a gasser you dont need this info but if its a Diesel then read on
if you reservoir looks like this
(http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/fen/NM1863/image/3/)
then you have a JD3, JD5 or JD6
if it looks like this
(http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/fen/NM1872/image/3/)
then its a JD7

JD7 (for diesles) and JB7 (for gassers) use the same cylinder
other than that gassers use plastic besides the JB7
Title: Re: 85 C20 Master Cylinder replacement - what brake system?
Post by: mysticdragon72 on April 17, 2014, 11:08:36 pm
Thanks for that!!  :D

We were thinking it was a JB7 but weren't 100% positive.

Our beast has the cast reservoir so I guess that's it?  Why would the numbers in the bottom of the master cylinder have 1 1/8 though?  Isn't that the bore size? 

One other stupid question if y'all don't mind.  In one catalog it says we have to measure the rear brake shoe to tell what brake system we have?  ???

Thanks again for all the replies!
Mystic.
Title: Re: 85 C20 Master Cylinder replacement - what brake system?
Post by: Irish_Alley on April 17, 2014, 11:12:02 pm
you can measure also to confirm but at the parts store they should be able to tell what size it is on their screen. but since the cast reservoir  was only used in the jb7 on a gasser then it has to be it.