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Vacuum brake booster?

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:59 pm
by refit1701
Is there a booster that would work on a stock setup for some extra braking power without spending the cash on front discs?

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:35 pm
by MSeriesRebuild
Sure, go to NAPA and look at the core illustration guide book. Pick one that you think will best fit your application in relation to plumbing & mounting.

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:22 pm
by Lifer
I doubt that they're still available, but I had a '35 Ford school bus with vacuum-assisted mechanical brakes, even. The rod from the pedal went into the booster on one side and the primary linkage came out the other side. It worked well, actually, but brake adjustment was pretty much a daily thing!

Re: Vacuum brake booster?

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:31 pm
by m-37Bruce
refit1701 wrote:Is there a booster that would work on a stock setup for some extra braking power without spending the cash on front discs?
[URL=http://news.webshots.com/photo/107 ... .jpg[/img]

Hey John,
Mine is a rebuild from GM, Caddy to be exact, unfortunately is ain't all its cracked up to be, (JMHO) I'm getting ready to install Ray's disks.[/url]

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:04 am
by refit1701
It was just a thought. I have been eyeing the disc conversion but with a final total probably in the $800 for the whole thing, I've had to hesitate. I do intend to drive my truck some, she won't just be for shows.

My truck is missing so many things at this point.

I guess I could get the hubs done and then just do the rest when I can afford it.

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:55 am
by Cal_Gary
Take 'em on as one smaller project at a time-that way it won't seem so overwhelming. BTW, brakes are probably the most important smaller project you can do early on, then get to the other areas later.
Gary

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:24 am
by MSeriesRebuild
You have to use a large enough booster to actually make a difference, we've done some on fire trucks that helped enough to slide the wheels loaded on a brake application. A unit from something like a Ford F600 truck is large enough to make it happen. You can buy these at NAPA all day long.

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:03 am
by refit1701
Oh boy, that would be hard to retrofit under there, considering where the MC is. I should just stop asking questions about things like this.

I might as well have asked if I can put an M1 tank turret on the hood.

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:17 pm
by Franz©
Not that difficult at all considering it was done on the dump truck version.

Midland boosters for the purpose may still be available from NAPA if somebody brought a core back in. Mine came from NAPA.

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:37 am
by MSeriesRebuild
refit1701 wrote:Oh boy, that would be hard to retrofit under there, considering where the MC is. I should just stop asking questions about things like this.

I might as well have asked if I can put an M1 tank turret on the hood.
Under the drivers seat is a great location & makes for easy plumbing.

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:24 am
by refit1701
Hmm....ok. I'll look into it further.

As always, thanks for the advise and comments.

Caddy Hydro-Vac Booster

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:57 pm
by m-37Bruce
Mine is behind the cab, to the left of the drive shaft, I'll try and take a better piccy of it. Right now it's welded to two cross-members.

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:58 pm
by refit1701
A pic *would* help my imagination.

Not having used a booster before (Mustang didn't need one) I thought they had to be attached to the master cylinder.

Tomorrow

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:48 pm
by m-37Bruce
After work. 8)

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:14 pm
by m-37Bruce
[/url]Image
Image
[URL=http://news.webshots.com/photo/297 ... .jpg[/img][/url]

The last shot is from the rear, looking forward. The second one is looking back @ the unit, the first is from under. It's attached @ the back by a bracket , Bill Kirkpatrick made both of them & welded them to two different cross members, bummer!