PT-19 Brakes

[MSchindler]

Hello, I am new to this forum and I have a question about the PT-19 Brakes. I have a '31 Curtiss-Wright Travel Air model 12W that I am restoring, and somehwere along it's history the mechanical brakes were changed to PT-19 Hayes Expander Tube type brakes and wheels along with a pair of Cessna Airmaster master cylinders and some funky linkage linking the front and rear brakes to the single pair of cylinders.

It looks like the brakes and wheels are going to be ok, since I located the expander tube brake assembly and the wheels are cleaning up well. However, the master cylinders were pretty gone, and so I am looking for new cylinders. Does anyone have any details on the PT-19 master cylinders? If they are available, I would like to try and find some. If not, I would like to adapt a more modern cylinder, but would want to match the bore and sroke of the cylinder if possible.

Thank you in advance,
Matt

[bdk]

You can get the master cylinders sleeved, but then you still might need new seals. Just another option in case you don't want an experimental brake system.

[MSchindler]

I am not so concerned about the brake cylinder bores. The seals are gone and I don't think that I can get new seals. I am hoping to put together a new installation with master cylinders that I can find parts for.

There are going to be a few modifications to the old aircraft that will need DER approval, and I think changing the brakes would be another one of those. But I would rather get an quality installation than use the one that was previously approved in the '50s which is less than optimal.

Matt

[slinky]

E-mail Joe and Mark Denest at Mdaero1941@aol.com. They are PT-19 gurus and the seals are the same for some late 40s truck I think! For a look at one of their restorations, go to http://www.warbirdalley.com/pt26-fa.htm to see an award winning PT-26. They have done many over the years....