Master cylinder

Just as I'm getting ready to sell my speedster, I noticed the the master cylinder is leaking and needs replacement. I have a new unused master cylinder, but the box reads that it is for drums dual circuit. I have vintage with disc in the front and drums in the rear. Will this unit work, or do I need to purchase one for a karman ghia which used disc brakes in the front?

Thanks in advance

If it looks like mine, this little guy is doing just fine for discs in the front and drums in the back.

Two switch holes, single cylinder, intended for a Beetle:

Yes, you should get a MC for a Ghia with front disks.

The piston bore for the front fluid circuit is bigger on a Ghia MC, thereby providing more power to the front brakes.

I know you're trying to sell the car, but if it were mine I would get a German MC (Jack at the Bug Stop has them, and I think SoCal and Cip1 has them, too) rather than a Brazilian or Asian one - the German ones seem to last longer. Usually around $50 bucks.

If it worked well prior ( had a decent pedal height) to leaking replace it with the exact part number that you will find stamped on it. Some are specific for discs with a larger piston ID bore as well as some brakes systems have a 2 lb. or 10 lb. in line residual valve to maintain slight line presure.

Thanks, everyone, for your help.

The master cylinder I had on the shelf worked just fine, same as the original. I called Kustom 1 to double check the part. The box said dual circuit for drum brakes, but Kustom 1 said it would also work for type I's with disc in front and drums in the rear. The car road tested just like it did before the master cylinder went out.

It isn't only that the bore is bigger, the chamber must be also since Ghia calipers don't return after being used. As they get further and further out of the hole (to contact the rotor) it takes more and more fluid to make 'em work. You have a ready supply in the reservoir, but you need a certain volume in the cylinder ready for dispersal as well.

That's usually the biggest difference between drum/disk masters and drum/drum masters, the capacity of the chamber.

Who even carries the Ghia cylinder? I looked to no avail. All say to use the T1 one.

Check with Karmann Ghia Parts and Restoration, they have stuff on the shelves that isn't listed in the catalog. I got a box of brake pads for the Girling calipers from them, asked them to check around the building for me and they called back in five minutes with 'em.

Scott owns the place and he's completely dedicated to the Karmann Ghia.

The late model Type III part ought to have the same part number as the Ghia item, lots of cross-over between the two models.

I remember switching my 914 mast to one from a 911. Think bore went from 19mm to 22mm. Give a much firmer pedal --- along with stainless steel lines.

Who even carries the Ghia cylinder?

Mid-America Motorwerks

either SKU 355159 for a "normal" 19mm bore Ghia

or SKU 313732 for the 20.6mm bore disk brake version