I imported my 1957 Mk 1 3.4 (with drum brakes) from Canada having won an auction on bring a trailer.com about 6 yrs ago. The body is now in the panel shop getting it's issues sorted out, meanwhile understanding that the mk1 front geometry was not the best I've opted to fit a front subframe/suspension from a mk 2. This subframe has now been completely dismantled, blast cleaned and painted in 2k primer and top coat. My question is was the unit painted in black gloss as a whole unit including the fasteners and brake components or were brake calipers and fasteners plated for example as were the Etype items in cadmium plate?

 

Mk2 callipers were not painted.
I am not sure what the plating was or if they were plated at all.
Any that have been in my custody always seemed to be bare metal.

 

Much as Bill, from what I have, the beam and towers are/were gloss black. The wishbones may have been. Brake cylinders, caliper bridges, nuts and bolts don't seem to be coated with anything. They may have had a thin plating in cadmium that has long disappeared. I believe that replacement parts have a thin layer of protection.

I'd be inclined to paint everything black or silver, keeping in mind that holes where bushes and bolts go have to be kept clear. Also, as far as possible, coat the inside of the beam with a suitable anti-corrosion wax/fluid.

 

Thank you both Bill and Mac.

I spent yesterday stripping apart the front brake calipers, *clutch and brake reservoirs along with the 7" brake servo, bearing in mind that the calipers and MC come from a mk 2 (I found the date tag of 30.6.64), once the calipers were apart one could see the plating that remained either cadmium or possibly zinc (but 64 might have been too early I reckon for the manufacturers to be using zinc). So I will follow that lead. Still when I took the brake peddle box apart it is my feeling that the pedals had been chemically blacked and not painted so I will also follow that.

The original reservoirs I intend to use again once I can free the piston and hopefully be able to measure the seal kit, they don't appear however to have been a design used by other jaguars of the period


- I could do with one screw top should anyone have a spare?

 

I may be misunderstanding the photo, but it looks as though there are two clutch master cylinders and no brake?

 

That pedal box and master cylinders are correct
The MK1s did not have a separate brake fluid reservoir as per later MK2s etc.
Cheers

 

Old age! I'd forgotten we were looking at a MK1.

 

Once I managed to release the MC pistons, the rubber seals look very similar in style and design as used in the BMC minis.

The calliper and MC bores are probably ok but I'm getting a quote to have these re sleeved in stainless.

Have managed to find a repair kit for the brake servo and note that I have to remove the rivets to replace the smaller rubber bladder any tips on this would be appreciated i.e. ways to close the new rivets?