I need a small master cylinder with 7/8" bore

Sounds like you don't have a rubber bushing at the tip of the brake rod to secure it in the MC piston. It will work as long as the piston always quickly returns (due to spring in MC). But, (to repeat) what if the piston hangs up in the bore?
I've never seen a MC piston bind in the bore. Unless I'm not aware of something, the only way I can see rust forming in the bore would be if water somehow got into the MC. I do have a small plastic bushing that came with the MC so I assume that's the locking bushing. I'm pretty sure I can get a brake pushrod from a front drive Mopar from a friend of mine. I'll have to see how it's configured and possibly rework my rod to incorporate that for added safety. In the meantime I'm comfortable with the setup I have now.