MG Car Repair: 79 MGB Clutch Master Cylinder Removal, clutch slave cylinder, slave cylinder replacement

Question
I recent purchased a 79 MGB. The previous owner said it needed a new clutch slave cylinder. The car had been setting for about 2 or 3 years in his garage. After getting under the car I could see why he said the slave cylinder needed replacing. The rubber boot on the slave cylinder was completely gone. The flexible hose was dry rotted and cracked open in several places.

I order a master and slave cylinder replacement kit from Victoria British. I replaced the slave cylinder and flexible hose. But I cannot figure out how to remove the master clutch cylinder. There are two bolts holding the master clutch cylinder to its mount. The top bolt came out just fine. But how do I get the bottom bolt out?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

Answer
Hi Jeff.   

Access to the bottom bolt is difficult.  You may need a helper.  I quote some paragraphs from my 1978-80 workshop manual:

o USA and Canada only: Remove the fascia lower panel.

o Remove the access plug from the bulkhead.

o ... Unscrew the bolts and nuts, noting that access to the lower bolt is gained from inside the car through the access hole in the bulkhead.

(On re-assembly, the lower bolt goes in with the nut facing rearwards, but the upper bolt goes in the other way round).