Re: Converting a drum/drum to disc/drum, MASTER CYLINDER QUESTION!
Power brake master cylinders usually have a bigger bore than manual masters, because you have boost to make up for the loss of hydraulic advantage in manual brakes. This is why, with power brakes, the pedal is so hard to move if the engine stalls, after a few pumps. The wheel cylinders are different, too, for the same reason- power brake wheel cylinders are generally smaller than the manual cylinders. The power/manual master cylinder could be the same, but the wheel cylinders will be different.
Most vehicles have a higher front to rear weight distribution, like 60/40, so I'm not sure why someone would put on a Corvette master, when that master is pretty much a 50/50 distribution. Under normal circumstances, it would probably be OK, but when the brakes REALLY have to work properly, it could be dangerous. I really hope that anyone who hasn't done their homework on their brake "upgrade" isn't behind me when they have to make a panic stop. More rear braking with an incorrect master/proportioning valve is going to have them swapping ends.
I'll be putting disc brakes on my truck eventually. This will require replacement of the master cylinder, proportioning valve and the rear wheel cylinders (if they aren't the same- sometimes power/manual are the same). This appears to be the case for my truck, BTW, after a search on OReillys.
The truck stops well with factory 4-wheel drum, but I prefer the added safety margin provided by disc brakes in the rain, and the reduced fading.
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~Steven
'70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper
Simi Valley, CA
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