So I'm in the process of installing power brakes/disc fronts on my 50 Chevy Styleline, and I'm using a setup that I found on ChevyTalk. I'm getting the disc kit from ECI, and I'm mounting the power brake setup on the firewall. I'm using a dual chamber master cylinder, brake booster, and pedal ***embly from an early 80s Monte Carlo. This being my first rebuild, I'm constantly finding there are always more questions to ask, and always something more than what I bargained for -In regards to a vacuum source, is there a pre-existing place to mount it on the manifold or elsewhere? Perhaps I'm just blind and missed it (or ignernt and don't know what the hell I'm looking at ) -In regards to vacuum pressure, if said valve exists on the manifold or elsewhere, does the engine generate the 17lbs of pressure needed for the booster or do I need a vacuum reservoir? -Lastly, if a reservoir is needed, does anyone have an idea of a brand/type/site where I could get a compatible one? Both guys at ChevyTalk found a way to make theirs work, but they never mentioned any of these issues or addressed this aspect of the install. You guys have proven to be a m***ive wealth of info, so I figured ya'll would know. I think once I get this disc brake/power brake install done, I might start a blog on it for other noobs like me. I hate to ask question after question, but I just can't seem to locate the right info via any other route. That and the fact I don't have any other local car guys in my area to pester Except for HankShank that is......he just needs to move out here to the boonies, though!
For the vacuum source, anywhere on the intake manifold will do. Can't tell you an exact source, but a ****** UNDER the throttle blades. it's not 17PSI, Vacuum is measured inches of Mercury InHG. Any decent engine should generate that for you. Try it out and if the pedle is to hard, then look into a vacc pump. Some 80's junk had a belt drive one or an electric one. Good luck Thom
If you still have the stock 235 engine the vacuum source would be the intake manifold at the same point as the vacuum line for your wipers. It is located on the drivers side of the manifold directly below the carb.
I'll check it out when I get home; however, believe it's running a 216. Being a noob, I'm not sure, though. Whoever had the car before me did a hatchet job to anything that wasn't required for the car to run....so the wipers don't work and aren't connected, yay me.
So your car was owned by my car's previous owner too? 216 will be at the same spot. I have 4 intakes and each one has a different fitting on it, but you can't miss it.
Bummer, good luck with that. If the vacuum motor is still there I think it's rebuildable. Or check out this link for my cheap ***ed electric wipers http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=299143
Thommy, that is the greatest, cheap DIY *EVER*. BTW ya'll, I got a replacement valve for the booster, but it's outlet was 1/2"...the outlet in the manifold was 1/4"...just got an adapter and another piece of 1/4" ID tubing and then it was done. Now I have to find some of those pesky nuts that hold the MC onto the booster. They will screw onto a 5/16" bolt at the "bolt checker" at Lowe's, but 5/16" doesn't fit.....they also fit part way onto a 10mm bolt at NAPA....but 10mm nuts don't fit either. I'm perplexed. One other thing, the booster doesn't have the push rod in the center....do I just cut one myself that fits in the plastic shaft and then spans the dist. from the shaft to the indent on the MC piston? Just to confirm, the valve on the side of the manifold, below the carb, is where I would connect the booster, correct?
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