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Adding brake booster to manual brakes


Guest TKJ sr1

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Guest TKJ sr1

I have a 65 Buick special. It has manual brakes now. I want to add a booster to it. The parts a readily available and reasonable. Of couse, i have no core...Oh well...Just not so sure of the vacuum connection. There is a small plug facing toward the rear on the intake manifold. I am thinking that is a good source. I did notice on some of the boosters there are 2 vacuum connections. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Also, will the existing master cylinder work.

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Some cars use a different master cylinder for manual and power brakes, but in your case both use a 1" bore M/C, so you should be able to reuse yours. You will need to remove the pushrod and retainer from the back of the M/C. There are two holes in the brake pedal where the pushrod attaches. The upper hole is for manual brakes, the lower for power. Be sure you get the pushrod from the booster in the correct hole. The booster vacuum is usually fed from a large port directly in one of the intake runners. There should be a plug there now. Unscrew the plug, install a vacuum fitting, and connect the hose. Be sure you get the correct booster for your application. If you have the original single circuit master cylinder, the booster uses a different length pushrod between the booster and M/C than for a dual circuit M/C.

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Guest TKJ sr1

Thanks for the help!!! The only "large" hole in the intake manifold is being used for the PCV valve. Ther are to smaller plugs. One directly over the #6 intake close to the head. And one directly under the throttle linkage.

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Thanks for the help!!! The only "large" hole in the intake manifold is being used for the PCV valve. Ther are to smaller plugs. One directly over the #6 intake close to the head. And one directly under the throttle linkage.

The large hole should be used for the brake booster. The PCV valve should connect to a port on the base of the carb. If there is no port on the carb, tee off that large port. I'd be concerned with the restriction in using a small port for the brake booster. I don't know what you mean by "the fluid line will be different". This isn't rocket science. Simply connect a 3/16" hard line from the front M/C port to the front port on the dist block (I'm guessing that you are using a brass factory style dist block?) and a 1/4" line from the rear M/C port to the rear dist block port. Don't over think this. There are millions of cars plumbed this way from the factory.

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Guest TKJ sr1

After studying the manual I see I does use a "T" fitting for the vacuum. Just need to find that fitting. No luck so far.

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After studying the manual I see I does use a "T" fitting for the vacuum. Just need to find that fitting. No luck so far.

Generic brass fittings are available at any auto parts store or hardware store.

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Guest TKJ sr1

OK...now that i have all the pieces i need, the booster has been discontinued by Cardone. Every site I've gone to is out of stock. Crap!!

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OK...now that i have all the pieces i need, the booster has been discontinued by Cardone. Every site I've gone to is out of stock. Crap!!

Rockauto claims to have boosters by both Cardone and Centric in stock.

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Guest TKJ sr1
Actually, Google "Cardone 54-73540"

You'll find a boatload, including some on ebay.

I have tried about 10 different retailers. No luck. Latest is summitt racing, they claim to have 1.

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Guest TKJ sr1

I plan on using the old master cylinder. I am assuming, That the rod that attaches to the pedal needs to be removed and the one on the booster replaces it?

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Guest TKJ sr1

Ok.. I got the booster. The book says 5.25" to 5.50" from the booster to the pedal connection. No way. to get that it is in the way of the connection. Plus I have no boot for the fire wall to the rod.

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Here is how the Brits handed adding a vacuum booster to Austin Healey's, MG's, Triumph's and the like in the 1960s: MossMotors.com - Restoration Parts And Accessories For British Cars

On Triumph TR4s with left hand steering, the booster goes on the right side of the engine compartment near the common point for all brake hydraulic lines and then a single hydraulic line goes over to the master cylinder on the opposite side of the engine compartment. Can be easily retrofit to any British car of the error. Triumph even put an indentation on the aft side of the right front inner fender to accommodate them.

Other then replacing the one hydraulic line off the master cylinder with two lines, one from the master cylinder to the booster and the other from the booster to the next connection in line, the only other thing to do is add the vacuum hose.

Visit my personal website at: Bob's Vintage Cars

Vila

1933 Chevrolet

1962 Triumph TR4

1984 BMW 633 CSi

Edited by Vila
Spelling error (see edit history)
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