[xk] XK120 Master Cylinder Line Connections

I’m trying to replace the master cylinder on a 1953 XK120
(tandem configuration). The nuts holding the 2 lines I
assume are a wentworth size, slightly smaller than 12mm or
SAE 1/2 inch. I am trying to avoid rounding the nuts by
using an adjustable wrench or vice-grips. Any suggestions
would be appreciated, it seems a 15/32 inch SAE though not
commonly available, might fit.–
Uncle Sard
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

Uncle,

For a “fits all” wrench that won’t round corners, it will be hard to beat
the Vise Grip 7LW.
http://www.airgas.com/browse/product.aspx?Msg=RecID&recIds=62037&WT.svl=62037
If this URL gets messed up, do a search on the name and number. Better yet,
search on ebay.
They are not cheap, but if that is what you need. . .

I’ve been intending to do a write-up on a useful job for this wrench. Maybe
I’ll get to it real soon now.

Gene McGough
XK-150 FHC S834515DN
XJ6C II 1976----- Original Message -----
From: “Uncle Sard” pjsard@prodigy.net

I’m trying to replace the master cylinder on a 1953 XK120
(tandem configuration). The nuts holding the 2 lines I
assume are a wentworth size, slightly smaller than 12mm or
SAE 1/2 inch. I am trying to avoid rounding the nuts by
using an adjustable wrench or vice-grips. Any suggestions
would be appreciated, it seems a 15/32 inch SAE though not
commonly available, might fit.

Uncle Sard

$16.67 at DrillSpot.
Won’t break the bank.
Roar— On Wed, 10/21/09, Gene McGough genemc@cavemen.net wrote:

From: Gene McGough genemc@cavemen.net
Subject: Re: [xk] XK120 Master Cylinder Line Connections
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 5:56 PM
Uncle,

For a “fits all” wrench that won’t round corners, it will
be hard to beat the Vise Grip 7LW.
Airgas
If this URL gets messed up, do a search on the name and
number. Better yet, search on ebay.
They are not cheap, but if that is what you need. . .

I’ve been intending to do a write-up on a useful job for
this wrench. Maybe I’ll get to it real soon now.

Gene McGough
XK-150 FHC S834515DN
XJ6C II 1976

----- Original Message ----- From: “Uncle Sard” pjsard@prodigy.net

I’m trying to replace the master cylinder on a
1953 XK120
(tandem configuration). The nuts holding the 2 lines
I
assume are a wentworth size, slightly smaller than
12mm or
SAE 1/2 inch. I am trying to avoid rounding the nuts
by
using an adjustable wrench or vice-grips. Any
suggestions
would be appreciated, it seems a 15/32 inch SAE though
not
commonly available, might fit.

Uncle Sard

In reply to a message from Uncle Sard sent Wed 21 Oct 2009:

Thanks for the posts,

Sears lists them as well, unfortunately my local Sears
store doesn’t stock them…–
Pete Seredynski
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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In reply to a message from Uncle Sard sent Wed 21 Oct 2009:

If you are referring to the fittings that screw the brake lines
into the brass banjos, don’t loosen them unless you plan to replace
the brake lines. Instead loosen the larger bolts that secure the
brass banjos to the master cylinder. These are Whitworth threaded
bolts, but fortunately an 18mm socket is an exact fit.

If you have already loosened the fittings that screw the brake
lines into the banjos, you may now have to replace them plus the
brake lines that attach to them. In my experience, it can be
difficult to get the old fittings to seal. I know that replacement
fittings can be purchased from Bill Bassett.

Mike Balch–
The original message included these comments:

I’m trying to replace the master cylinder on a 1953 XK120
(tandem configuration). The nuts holding the 2 lines I
assume are a wentworth size, slightly smaller than 12mm or
SAE 1/2 inch. I am trying to avoid rounding the nuts by
using an adjustable wrench or vice-grips. Any suggestions
would be appreciated, it seems a 15/32 inch SAE though not
commonly available, might fit.


'53 OTS
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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In reply to a message from Mike Balch sent Thu 22 Oct 2009:

What is all the fuss about ?

I have no doubt of the wisdom of Mikes post, but this topic reminds
me that it life was simpler in some respects when I did not know
how touchy our Jags can be.

As a ‘‘kid’’ trained under Charles’ shade tree school of car
mechanics and experienced primarily with changing fuel pumps, brake
shoes, and water pumps, I removed and rebuilt my dual master
cylinder with no problems with the silly tipping valves,
adjustments, new brake lines, cumbersome bleeding, etc, etc.

What, Me Worry ?

It seemed simple; just dumb luck and lack of fear/caution I
suppose.

I also pulled the transmission out through the cockpit and
replaced the clutch without even as much as an alignment tool, and
I regularly drove my car in stop-and-go rush hour traffic in New
York city in the summer heat with no overheating too.

And the car was worth $600.

In some respects I liked it better then.

Karl–
The original message included these comments:

If you have already loosened the fittings that screw the brake
lines into the banjos, you may now have to replace them plus the
brake lines that attach to them. In my experience, it can be
difficult to get the old fittings to seal. I know that replacement


karl
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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C’mon you guys, I think Uncle Sard was looking for a serious answer.
You need Whitworth size 1/4-BSW which means British Standard Whitworth, or
it may be labeled 1/4-BSF British Standard Fine.
You can get British Whitworth wrenches from Moss Motors or British Tools and
Fasteners or some of the other popular vendors of British car parts. You
will also need them on the carbs, gearbox and rear axle so its a good
investment.
Rob Reilly - 679187

In reply to a message from karl sent Thu 22 Oct 2009:

Karl,

My theory is that most of our cars experienced too many shade tree
mechanics (myself included) and not enough Mr. Good Wrenches. (No
offence to Charles who I consider the Mr. Good Wrench of XK
Jaguars.) The problems we now experience, and attempt to correct,
are often rooted in a time when our cars were unloved and had
little value. The cars lived outdoors where they rusted, and any
fix was done on the cheap by ham-fisted mechanics.

I have a cousin whose 1965 S-Type was purchased in 1966 by my
aunt. This car has always been garaged, and all recommended
servicing has been done on time by competent service technicians.
To this day, the car still runs as well as it did when new. I have
no doubt the car could be driven across the country tomorrow with
no worries.

By the way, I just returned from a road trip to Virginia (in my
modern car.) Very early Monday morning I probably passed within a
few miles of your home as traveled up I 270 and I 70 on my way
towards I 68. Later in the morning I did stop at Welsh Jaguar in
Steubenville, Ohio. The good folks at Welsh gave me a full tour of
their Jaguar parts business. I was totally amazed by the sheer
volume of used and NOS Jaguar parts that they have in stock.

Mike Balch–
The original message included these comments:

What is all the fuss about ?
I have no doubt of the wisdom of Mikes post, but this topic reminds
me that it life was simpler in some respects when I did not know
how touchy our Jags can be.
As a ‘‘kid’’ trained under Charles’ shade tree school of car
mechanics and experienced primarily with changing fuel pumps, brake
shoes, and water pumps, I removed and rebuilt my dual master
cylinder with no problems with the silly tipping valves,
adjustments, new brake lines, cumbersome bleeding, etc, etc.
What, Me Worry ?
It seemed simple; just dumb luck and lack of fear/caution I


'53 OTS
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

Uncle “Sard”

IMHO, It’s sometimes easier to “sacrifice” an odd wrench (an open end
7/16) and “open it up” with a mill file till it suits your needs. Not to
say, it will replace proper Wentworth spanners, but if down time is of
concern, then the sacrifice is worth it.

I can’t tell you how many “special” tools were created this way and how
they “saved the day”. Many of us have special tool drawers with wrenches
“torch bent” for distributors and transmissions, and “boxes” ground thin
for clearance. Custom making a few open enders, is just as easy.

Regards,

Rick____________________________________________________________
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Karl,

Where and when were you driving your car (Jag) in NYC?

In the 60’s I often took my DHC to work (AT&T 32 Sixth Ave) and parked it
in the Village off Thompson St. I worked in radio and did a lot of “off
tour” stuff back then. BTW, I lived in Queens…

Regards,

Rick____________________________________________________________
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In reply to a message from holland-rick@juno.com sent Fri 23 Oct 2009:

Rick,

I used the car to hand deliver rush packages for one of my
professors at Webb Institute which was in Glen Cove, Long Island
who was doing heat balances , by hand, for steam plants for the
various shipdesigners. The usual desitination was the offices of
Bethlehem Shipbuilding or the offices of Gibbs & Cox downtown. The
route was the Long Island Expressway and I guess it was the Midtown
tunnel? I also used to ‘‘commute’’ back and forth to school some
weekends up the Jersey Turnpike and through the tunnel that comes
out at about 34th street, across town, and out the Midtown to the
LIE to get to school. I also remember driving home after graduation
in the Jag with all of my worldly possessions in the boot. This was
all in the 60s before the Cross - Bronx was available.

Karl–
karl
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