Hydroboost brakes.. Thanks CaptainFab

[72bigred]

Hi all,

Just wanted to drop some pics and thank John for an excellent product. Some have heard of these boosters while others have not, I just wanted to tell anyone that cares to listen I personally will not use any other booster any longer. I did this conversion in my SS396 due to a very large cam and zero vacuum and I have never been happier, it is far superior to any vac boost. There are some commercial sites that sell kits that cost upwards of 1k.. With what John is building its a fraction of the cost if you have been hesitant about doing the swop. I might have 150$ into my whole set up by the time I am finished and I am considering that on the high end. His products are excellent and if you have questions about how, what, where, when Captainfab can give you the details and I also have alot of exp with these systems and would be glad to help. Drop me a pm if you have any questions. Again thanks John clean easy install for the booster, or as it appears any booster.

Truck is still in its baby phase but it will be on the road in the spring, I have a collection of pics and will start a build thread soon, just wanted to have it up to where I can show some progression pretty constant.

Reid

[Captainfab]

I'm glad to see you finally got the cab back.

The hydroboost looks good on there, but it looks kinda naked without a master cylinder

Have you decided on what master you're going to use?

Thanks Reid

[72bigred]

Was going to go with a fancy willywood, yet due to a recent discovery or two I may just go with a newer stock one due to price.. Recent discovery of the wife wanting AC is going to cause a pocket book problem staying within what I want to spend total on this one so I may have to make some cuts in other places.. AC poses a some other issues due to the 292 I am going to run for her has a 194 head and has no holes for the bracket they make so might be lookin your way for some fab work soon!

Reid

[Captainfab]

Shouldn't be a problem, just let me know.

Originally Posted by 72bigred

Was going to go with a fancy willywood, yet due to a recent discovery or two I may just go with a newer stock one due to price.. Recent discovery of the wife wanting AC is going to cause a pocket book problem staying within what I want to spend total on this one so I may have to make some cuts in other places.. AC poses a some other issues due to the 292 I am going to run for her has a 194 head and has no holes for the bracket they make so might be lookin your way for some fab work soon!

Reid

[protrash64]

Nice!! I've picked up the bracket from Cap'n Fab and have the hydroboost unit just waiting for a future upgrade project. I'll subscribe to keep contact info.

[orange66fleet]

I have a question, I have just received a hydroboost unit off a 79 chevy truck and wondering if i will have to purchase the bracket to install it properly on my 65. If yes a short explaination why. Thanks

[70 Suburban]

i thought about it it would look nice but mine came factory with it.. nice lookin though

[Captainfab]

Which one of yours came factory with Hydroboost?

Originally Posted by 70 Suburban

i thought about it it would look nice but mine came factory with it.. nice lookin though

[70 Suburban]

nono .. it came with factory power.. not hydro.. thats why i didnt switch over

[TheDark1]

Is there a prefered model to get the hydro-boost from for our switch?

[Captainfab]

Most any GM hydroboost from a C10 to C30 can work as well as the Astro van units. What you do is remove the factory mounting bracket, and the base units are all the same. However depending on the contour of the bracket, a special socket may be required to loosen the special nut. It is also helpful for tightening the nut. I have those available for rental with purchase of my brackets. The base unit will then attach to the hydroboost mounting plate that I sell.

Originally Posted by TheDark1

Is there a prefered model to get the hydro-boost from for our switch?

[Lugnut64052]

marking this thread.

Great info here.

[Dene Risden]

Hey Captain Fab,
Can you provide the pricing and how to purchase info for your Hydro Boost brackets? I'm putting it on my 1963 GMC 1/2T short bed.
Much appreciated, Dene

[Captainfab]

PM sent.......

Originally Posted by Dene Risden

Hey Captain Fab,
Can you provide the pricing and how to purchase info for your Hydro Boost brackets? I'm putting it on my 1963 GMC 1/2T short bed.
Much appreciated, Dene

[Thealien]

Hmmm subscribed

[72bigred]

The easiest to find in the pickNpulls is the unit out of the Chev Astro van, it must be a 4 wheel drive version to have it, you can also find it in random chevy trucks, any with rigs that run diesel fuel will have it.

How I make the conversion easier rather than getting different fittings etc is I use a tube cutter and keep a section of the hose out of the pump (see pics) then I cut the fittings/tube off my hose at my ps box, take the ends into any hose shop, give them a length and they will braze them together for you.. Costs me 35$ for a pair.

[TheDark1]

Does it make a difference if it's a 3/4 or one ton? I don't want them to be so touchy that I pull an eyeball when I hit the brakes.

[72bigred]

Originally Posted by TheDark1

Does it make a difference if it's a 3/4 or one ton? I don't want them to be so touchy that I pull an eyeball when I hit the brakes.

I do not believe there is any difference between them, Napa lists them as the exact same part number NBB 527307 for either 3/4 or 1Ton. If you get one out of an astro van 4 wheel drive it will also be the same, the difference is in the length of the pushrod, but that will have to be modified anyhow.

Reid

[TheDark1]

Cool. Thanks.

[62gmc910]

watch the salvage hydroboosts for leaks around the pushrod

[72bigred]

Originally Posted by 62gmc910

watch the salvage hydroboosts for leaks around the pushrod

Yes you are exactly correct, very easy to spot. I have only seen 1 in the dozen or so I have pulled but it does happen. Also make sure you are careful with the storage container on the side, brass. Try hard not to bump it and it should not spin.

[62gmc910]

Originally Posted by 72bigred

Yes you are exactly correct, very easy to spot. I have only seen 1 in the dozen or so I have pulled but it does happen. Also make sure you are careful with the storage container on the side, brass. Try hard not to bump it and it should not spin.

I must have got more than my share of leakers '84 K30 , '82 sub 6.2, '84 sub 6.2, '75 C30 all leakers but i've had as many good ones too

[toms84ss]

Digging this thread up. What are you guys doing for the pressure line? Are you splicing your existing P/S line or replacing the P/S pump with a Hydro unit with two pressure fitting? I was looking at the pickapart yesterday and was curious what was the easiest solution. I plan on running an F body serpentine system and will have to see if the Astro P/S pump will fit my bracket. I doubt it as that would bee too easy to solve one of my problems.

[Captainfab]

The hydroboost pumps don't have 2 pressure ports, they have 2 return ports, one from the hydroboost and the other from the steering box. I've seen them done both ways, with a hydroboost specific pump, or just a tee in the return line. I would think that either a Astro van pump or a '88 and up pump from a truck with hydroboost would work. Unless you already have the F body system, I would look for one of the ones I mentioned. The accessory drive off of a 4.3 in a Astro will fit a small block.

Originally Posted by toms84ss

Digging this thread up. What are you guys doing for the pressure line? Are you splicing your existing P/S line or replacing the P/S pump with a Hydro unit with two pressure fitting? I was looking at the pickapart yesterday and was curious what was the easiest solution. I plan on running an F body serpentine system and will have to see if the Astro P/S pump will fit my bracket. I doubt it as that would bee too easy to solve one of my problems.

[Chevy-Art]

Will this work for a 70 Longhorn?