Guys, My 1953 bel air brake booster ****ped out. I am not getting any hydraulic ***ist. It still has the original booster on it with the single reservoir. I have been trying to find a replacement but it looks like only aftermarket is available. I am a bit confused because the only things I find are under floorboard boosters for the '53 bel air. I see that the '55 bel air has a direct bolt in replacement that attached to the firewall. Does anyone know if the '55 booster will line up with the '53 mounting location? Has anyone had to put in an aftermarket brake setup with their '53 or '54 bel air? I am wondering also if the '55 bel air disc brake setup will also fit on a '53 bel air? Any ***istance you guys can give me is appreciated. I have attached links to some boosters I have looked at but not sure if they will fit properly. The firewall mount ***embly looks good, but seems pricey and complicated for just replacing a booster. Are there any standard boosters I could use? p.s. the picture below was taken before I hooked up the vacuum line so there is vacuum ***ist present. I tried to pull a vacuum on the booster and it wouldn't. So i am pretty sure the diaphragm is toast. http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/chevy_master_***emblies.html http://www.waltonfabrication.com/dh/1001.htm
Original master cylinder was under the floor, and not power. What you have installed has been updated. Also, it looks like a hydro-vac. If it is, dump it and get a power booster and master cylinder from any auto parts store and retro fit it. You already have the updated break pedal, that's the hard part. Will be waaaaaay cheaper than rebuilding a hydro-vac. I know, I just had one done.
I think that '53 was the first year they had power brakes on the Bel Air. I have the original shop manual, and the exact setup I have is diagrammed in the manual. Is there any complications that might arise from not having the threaded rod that attaches to the brake pedal not line up exactly with the booster? Is there a pretty good amount of "play" in that mounting? In other words, if I get a booster off of a '82 Monte Carlo, how important is it that it mounts in the factory location?
That's not stock. you have some work ahead of you, now would be a good time to check everything else out, do you have drums up front still?
I still have drums all the way around. When you say "you have some work ahead of you" what are you talking about specifically? Just having to mount the new booster? I am not quite sure what that little black box is next to the booster. I am ***uming that will have to be relocated because the new booster is bound to be larger than what is on there already.
Looks like something i have on my Stock 1956 Cadillac, Really expensive to get overhauled. Thinks it made by Moraine later Delco Moraine
I would yank that out and get a 7" dual diaphram booster with a new master and call it a days work and be done. Very simple install with modern parts that you can buy just abot anywhere.
WOW...you are right. It looks exactly like that '56 Cadillac brake booster. The rebuild kit is $150...that deserves an even bigger WOW.
Well I found the original booster....$$$$$$$$$ http://www.belairbrakeparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=377974
Do believe that is a "Treadle-Vac" and yes pricey and not all that good. Black box looks like the voltage regulator. Update time.
Your power brake booster looks exactialy like the one on my 53 Mercury. Once I took it appart, cleaned it and installed a new valve kit rebuilt, it works great. You can get the parts from Kanter (www.kanter.com). I have been looking for the head shield that mounts on the bottom. Good chance the "U" shaped hose on the inside has gone bad. When I got my car it had been sitting for over 20 years and I am not sure that brake fluid wasn't from the factory! At this point you have nothing to loose by tearing it appart, give it a good cleaning and regrease the leather "O" seal....it is not hard
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