I have a few projects getting to the point I need to mount the brake booster. I'd like to see what you guys did for the pedal bracket on your under floor brake boosters.
I got a set-up from Master Power Brake. No thought needed. You could easily replicate it cheaply. It is just a peice of 1/4" plate (well next size skinnier) bent a channel shape with a hole to run lines or wires next to the frame cut in it. A "L" shapped bracket bolts to it for the Booster to bolt onto. Its not expensive. Id buy another one just for the cleanliness and value (not expensive) of it compared to making it myself. But, that is only me, Time is NOT on my side, as I am overly busy. If you got the time, or just want to do it yourself, It is a real simple little "U" shape with bolt on "L" bracket.
Here's mine on my '47 truck. Made from scraps in the garage. Don't look TOO CLOSE at the brake lines - they are backwards in this pic That's what I got for rushing!!! Anyways the thing I really wanted to mention was to caution you when you make yours - I have seen some SCARY thin push rods on some aftermarket booster setups. Granted with power assist you don't need alot of pressure WHEN it's working that is. But sure would be a bad thing to FOLD a rod when you need it most. Happened to a friend of mine while drag racing his altered - cracked a few vertebrae when he ran off the end of the strip. Also on the one I pictured here - it HAD to be kinda long to clear some obstacles under the truck so in addition to mounting it to the origional 3 bolt M/C mount I also added an additional mounting tab that REALLY made this thing bullet proof. Granted you won't likely need to be as bizzare long like mine was but just in case keep in mind that - that's a lot of weight hanging WAY out there. FWIW
Great timing! I'm getting close to needing to do this also! I have a quick question (not trying to hijack... really!) What is the rod that goes back from the pedal, and pushes on the m/c made of? Tubing? What diameter? Ok, now back to the previously scheduled post... Thanks, Ben
What I'd really like to see are your pedal mounts. One of these has the master cylinder as part of the pedal bracket and I am looking for alternatives. Thanks for the pics so far. Lots of good stuff out there.
brake booster? what's that, something you'd find on a late model? I have manual brakes on my hot rods. Even my wife's Dart has manual brakes.
Here's the brake boosters in the HelCamino (tm). Seriously though, and not to hi-jack the thread but maybe this will help Stevie too... What do you all do for access to the master cylinder? I've often wondered and have never looked or asked.
'28 "A" Tudor. Master cylinder under floor. Floor 3/4" plywood. Hole in plywood with a "lip" on the top around the outside of opening. Lip cut with a router. (about 1/2" in and the depth of #14 ga metal) Piece of #14 ga stainless cut to fit the outside dimentions of the "lip", and cover the hole. (cover flush with top of floor) Held in place with stainless "Oval - counter sunk head" trim screws. Think '40 Ford MC cover.
Not a Hi-Jack at all. Very relevant question. I was planning on moving the access cover that's already there. Just have to cut a new hole the depth of the booster further back in the floor and then use the piece I cut out to patch the original hole. The other option is a remote resevoir. Time will tell. To you manual brake "He Men"....brake both legs in two places, smash both ankles and get some arthritis in your knees then see how anxious you are to drive your manual brake ride.
I don't imagine that's any fun... I put power brakes on the 41 but it pulls too little vaccuum for them to work...
There is a very non-traditional fix....small electric vacuum pump hooked to a resevoir. Just a thought. And you are right...not much fun. It did happen on active duty though, so Uncle Sam sends me a nice little check every month to let me know my loss is appreciated. Any more underfloor booster pics. Pedal mounts are the focus here.
So what's the popular booster and master to use. Hopefully something purchased at Kragen, not Speedway. Craig
Here's some pic's of a hydroboost setup I put in my Stude pickup.. http://community.webshots.com/album/42740280aaZVkW and some more from an F1 pickup that is going in right now.. Jeff
I used a (pretty sure of year) '77 Corvette - available CHEAP at any parts store. Get one with a SHORT piston (or do they call it a SHALLOW piston) - either way that's the one with the shallow dimple for the booster rod. The "manual" one has a DEEP recess for the long manual brake pushrod. Make sure you adjust the booster so that there's just a little clearance between the booster rod and the m/c piston - you want to ensure it fully retracts when you let off the pedal. The booster I used was an aftermarket 8" dual diaphram - dual diaphram because it was so small (only had room for the 8") the dual diaphram has more area and acts like a LARGER single diaphram. I also was a little low on vacuum so going bigger helps some. As for the pedal part - mine bolts to the OLD M/C mount - pedal is stock - looks totally origional from inside the truck. As far as the rod going to the M/C - I used 3/4 dia. 4130N tubing with threaded inserts fully welded and rosetted. Overkill - maybe - weak link definitely not! I've seen aftermarket kits that used rods near as long as mine with 3/8" solid stock - disaster waiting to happen IMHO. Don't get me wrong - 3/8" is FINE ---- IF you keep it SHORT. If not go bigger - you won't regret it and you might IF you don't. Squirrel - YES a B-O-O-S-T-E-R (yes you can say it) my Hot Rod also has to serve as a WORK truck aka TOW VEHICLE - power brakes are awfully nice when your pullin'. But I will conceed - only my Hot Rod Trucks have power boosters - the others are all manual
This is my most current picture of my pickup... it's only a mockup, and I didn't have room for a booster, but you can kinda see where I'm goin' with the pedal mount.
I see power brakes and discs as being a good thing because chances are the guy doing a panic stop in front of you has them on his vehicle. This is from a 95 or so Mustang. A friend has a 40 Ford with a big block and used this setup also.
I can see running a booster if your legs are screwed up. I don't have them on any of my hot rod trucks, though. Maybe I'm just used to the higher pedal effort...it doesn't bother me. And the only time I ploughed into someone was because I was daydreaming instead of watching the road ahead, having the best brakes in the world wouldn't have made a difference.
There is always a balance between form and function. Just about all of our cars are modified. That's why we are here. Still using 6V? Should I keep the brakes on my 32 mechanical instead of hydraulic? Doing an engine swap for more power is no different than updating the brakes, wiring, or suspension. As an engineer you understand technology improves with time. There is no reason not to take advantage of it. except billet of coarse Craig
Hydroboost from a GM pickup, 80s Lincoln, or 94 up Mustang is about the same depth (7"), but not much bigger around than the master cylinder itself. No worries about vacuum with a radical cam either. Only kicker is the need for a power steering pump, but one of those small modern remote reservoir jobs could practically be hidden if you were to mount it down close to the engine at or near the frame level.
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