309 masters on ebay

[70lt1z28]

hey guys, for fun I bought this master cylinder on ebay. whats up with these? too cheap to be real. I am thinking they may be real 309s  but the US  was stamped in. what do you guys think??   http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230213587622&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=013
 
if you cant get to my link, please go to ebay item number 230211058056 and take a look, he has many on.   i am very curious to hear your answers. thanks

[RamAirDave]

I only have one original to compare to, but the ebay stamp looks different.

I think the repos are left blank, so maybe it's a stamped repo? 

[detfox]

hey guys, for fun I bought this master cylinder on ebay. whats up with these? too cheap to be real. I am thinking they may be real 309s  but the US  was stamped in. what do you guys think??   http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230213587622&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=013
 
if you cant get to my link, please go to ebay item number 230211058056 and take a look, he has many on.   i am very curious to hear your answers. thanks

Hey I bought one too.  I was hoping they were legit.

[70lt1z28]

its very hard to tell and I have an original to put it right next to. however I think the catch is that the "U S" is stamped into regular passenger car masters. this guy has alot of these and sells them cheap.  although they are very nice I would still like to find out if they are legit or not before I use them.

[KevinW]

My freind bought a "carsflash" master, its original, but the front of the master was drilled out, I assume during the rebuilding process and a threaded cap was installed.  Very noticable to me and you see the cap every time you open the hood. his auction pics never showed the front!

 I bought a repro 309 fromt BelairBob.  The box says Master Power on it.  The repro is very nice.  Almost identical to originals and looks very well made (not pot metal!).  I have not installed it yet (car getting paint).  It has the US stamp on it.

[Jerry@CHP]

The character aspect ratio is different on the Ebay master cylinders from an original.

Jerry 

[KevinW]

Jerry, Do you know anything about 67 cowl plenum air cleaners?  I have a lid I want to compare with.  http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=3245.0

I think the US stamp in the pic of the ebay one looks different from my original.

On the subject of repro 309 master, yes there are differences when you put the repro and orig side by side.  I still have the one you restored for my SS.  I bought the repro one for my 327 car that I added power brakes.  The repro one looks larger to me.

Here are the side by side pics, so everyone can see for themselves...  Jerry restored original one is on the left when looking from the front.

[70lt1z28]

The character aspect ratio is different on the Ebay master cylinders from an original.

Jerry 

guys thanks for all of the replys.  jerry what exactly does character aspect ratio mean?  does anyone know for sure if "carsflash" masters on ebay are original or repops?  

[Jerry@CHP]

It means that the height and width of the characters are different than a factory stamped master cyl.

Kevin, I have several cowl plenum air cleaners.  I will measure the lids when I have a minute.

Jerry

[RamAirDave]

I like the look of the restored MC.  What's the finish on it?  Natural, or some kind of coating?

[Pacecarjeff]

Carsflash has been working on his techniques for quite some time - he is getting closer all the time.

He is taking later (1980's) 309 castings which don't have a thumb pad..., machining out a pad, and stamping the US.
Then he drills them for bleeder valves, and installs a deep cylinder.  - Pretty close - but not exact.
The size and shape of the pad is different, as well as the stramping.

He does have access to real ones too - just ask him, he has been pretty straightforward with me.

[detfox]

The one I purchased I thought was legit.  The casting numbers and date code were worn down, leding me to think it was a real date correct.  The only thing I don't like is the painted lid..IMO it looks cheap.

[hihorse]

The center one is the carsflash one I bought from ebay, the others are original. Do you see the difference?

[hihorse]

The original 1969's are 7/8"  and the carsflash master is 1 3/8"

[70lt1z28]

thats unreal, i had an original and the one i bought from ebay side by side and studied them. guess i am not too bright. once you point it out, its simple. thanks