1969 Elan S4 Tandem Master Brake Cylinder Question

[Certified Lotus]

Phil, nice to know that you've been storing parts for me all these years Hope I can repay you one day!

[pharriso]

Glen, here is what I have:

As you can see there is some surface rust on the top edge. What I did on my renovated unit (from Terry P) was sand blast then zinc coat. It's only been a year but it still looks like new.

I'll send a PM

[Certified Lotus]

Exactly what I am looking for Phil. PM responded to. Thanks once again for having a part I need !

[oldchieft]

Just a thought, I this day and age a cylinder with a male thread one end and female thread the other can be 3D printed?

If it was done in translucent plastic it would have a visible fluid level. I would bet Certified Lotus would have contacts that would know how.

Jon the Chief

[Certified Lotus]

Jon, your reading my mind. I needed an exact sample to scan

[oldchieft]

Wow!

That's a bit spooky!

Jon the Chief

[Sandals man]

Hello everybody,here the sandals man from holland.My federal elan chassis 8859 has also the tandem brake cylinder with this sofi system.Does anybody know how I can remove the fluid reservoir from the steel cylinder.I removed the 2 srews but I can not get it out.Must I use more power?
Regards
Willem

[gjz30075]

Yes. It's a snap fit into the master cylinder and will require some prying.

[nmauduit]

there is a ring clip inside the front hole of the tandem master cylinder, holding the plastic tank on; I sort of remember having seen a manual stating that for removal one should turn it 45? and pop if off, but I found it rather hard (the plastic tank is 50 years old and getting just like myself, not as flexible as I used to be). Then I found a rubber gasket sealing the front feed to the master cylinder, probably cylindrical (or what was left of it), something that was not in rebuilt kits I've seen so far... it's a non pressure gasket, yet if leaking you empty out the whole thing. The front tank feed has a conical fit to the master cylinder, but if there is some play (and the tank plus sovy make for quite a lever to hit over the years) that may not be sufficient to ensure sealing... For a tighter hold I've added a rislan tie around, clamping down the plastic tank onto the master cylinder.

[mariodschy]

Yes. It's a snap fit into the master cylinder and will require some prying.

Here is a picture, i am also looking for a metal canister if anyone has one to much please let me know...

[nono17120]

I don't know if the cork is original, if it is it is enclosed in an aluminum tube on mine :

sovy top.jpg

tu utilises du silicone ?

[nmauduit]

I don't know if the cork is original, if it is it is enclosed in an aluminum tube on mine :

sovy top.jpg

tu utilises du silicone ?

yes, Dot 5 Automec (260?C boiling temperature)

[umbyfer]

Hello, really interesting that topic! In my Sprint Federal there is the warning light brake fail on the dash, but the sovie device with red cap is not present. It was removed from previous owners. If anyone of you is able to help me to find one I appreciate a lot. Thank you.

[nmauduit]

Hello, really interesting that topic! In my Sprint Federal there is the warning light brake fail on the dash, but the sovie device with red cap is not present. It was removed from previous owners. If anyone of you is able to help me to find one I appreciate a lot. Thank you.

if you're only missing the red cap with contacts, you can make one up by shortening the tube of a Jaguar E type sovy white cap... as for the reservoir tin extension if you're missing that also, I've seen some alloy replacements that had been machined, though they do not come by very often. It's a no pressure part, but that still needs to hold the fluid.

I'd be happy to find a decent tin reservoir myself...

[Certified Lotus]

RD enterprises sells a reproduction of the cap for $61 US. A real deal from my perspective. I have an original plus the can that I bought as a spare after finding out how difficult they are to find. Let me know if your interested, it's more expensive than RD but I'll sell for what I paid for it.