Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Is there an easy way to refill? I can take the cap off underneath, and stick my pinkie in to find how full it is, but filling it from the top is a challenge. Someone out there must have figured out a clever way.

Some have adapted a later or aftermarket remote fill reservoir and mounted it higher up. Packard had one as an option but originals are hard to find.

Otherwise, a funnel and long tube, crawling inside or over the fender with the bottle and pouring or maybe some kind of siphon or transfer pump from underneath are the options I'm aware of. Harbor Freight, Napa etc have those. The pump might be the easiest for filling since it sounds like you are already under when removing the cap but still wouldn't be very easy to see how full it was until it spilled over.

Wendall Spreadbury (spreadbury@suddenlink.net, 936-564-0620) is selling master brake cylinder remote fill reservoirs.

(o{I}o)

Have you lifted the carpet on the drivers side to see if there is a plate covering the hole directly above the master cylinder? You should also be able to see the plate from underneath. I thought that was on all 51-56 bodies.

Randy, on a '51-54 the master cylinder is forward of the firewall on the frame rail right behind the steering box.

They moved it under the car in '55 I believe.

G'day humer,
to PackardInfo. Sorry I can't add anything to assist you.

Instead a request, could you please include your '51 Patrician in the Packard Owner's Registry here, together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it?

AHA! Randy, you are right. There is an access plate under the brake pedal inside held by 5? screws inside. I haven't taken it off yet (rusty), but it is about 7" x 7" so I should be able to get access for refilling. It actually "folds" down; however that shouldn't be a problem Thanks humer

Hummer, on my vehicles with the master under (or almost) the floorboard and where I do not want to take the floormat or carpet up, I use a sport bottle that squirts, I guess it is for rinsing or something, I don't know. It works really well.

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Yes!
I refill my master cylinder in my 51/300 by leaning over the drivers side fender with the hood open, Reach down and with a wrench remove the screw on filler cap, open a bottle of break fluid and simply pour it in. Have done it that way many times. Don't understand why anyone would pull up the carpet to gain access to what is right there under the hood. Hope this helps.

I have a 1953 Patrician and fill it from top using a turkey
baster. Buy metal and wash it and ball out after you use it