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#1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SW Nebraska
Posts: 50
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Power drum brakes?
Has any one done a power drum brake update. Lots of posts about disc brakes, but you don't hear anything about just adding a power vacuum booster. If anyone has done this please advise. What donor booster is needed? Is this not a good idea? Thanks Todd
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Old Chevys never die they are just reborn! |
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#2 |
English Chevy Owner
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France
Posts: 1,848
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Re: Power drum brakes?
I'm about to do this, they'll still fade under heavy braking but you won't need to stand up in an emergency to stop! I drove a friends 68 Impala 427SS with power drums and I just have to power mine as the difference was night and day in temrs of the pedal effort needed.
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Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission |
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#3 |
Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,450
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Re: Power drum brakes?
Best bang for the buck to improve your braking.
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. ![]() We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 12,201
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Re: Power drum brakes?
just pick up a 67-72 brake booster with brackets and the pushrod, exchange the booster at Autozone to be sure that you have a good operational and safe setup. Bolt in and go... Only thing is if you MC doesn't fit it then you have to swap it too. <$150 for a new setup... add a vacuum post to your manifold and viola... 3/4 ton and 1 ton boosters had dual diaphragm's and better braking.
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The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" Last edited by msgross; 04-28-2007 at 12:22 PM. |
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#6 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SW Nebraska
Posts: 50
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Re: Power drum brakes?
Thank Guys, I just wanted to make sure this wasn't a crazy idea. I still won't need to mess with a proportioning valve since both fronts and backs are drum correct?
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Old Chevys never die they are just reborn! |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 12,201
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Re: Power drum brakes?
nope
drums = distro block disc/drum = prop valve
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The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" Last edited by msgross; 04-28-2007 at 10:39 PM. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Hoytsville, Utah
Posts: 3,365
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Re: Power drum brakes?
I just did mine a couple weeks ago. What a difference! I can lock 'em up now no problem, before not even on it's best day. I used a booster and master cyl off a '70 one-ton.
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'68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Clanton, AL
Posts: 1,253
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Re: Power drum brakes?
Piece of cake. I just bent the lines. Very nice improvement.
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85' CUCV M1009!!! The newest addition! 6.2diesel, Th400, NP208, & only 36k miles! 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside - Looking good these days! ![]() 05' Dodge Neon 88' Winner Escape Sport 1750 - 4.3v6 94' Seadoo SP 84' Honda TRX200, bare nekkid. Just a frame & tires. Always looking for another project or any good deal! ![]() |
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#10 |
Active Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Lower Mid-East Ca.
Posts: 326
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Re: Power drum brakes?
The one I did, with pics. Made all the difference, darn easy upgrade.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=221598
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Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig! ![]() ![]() My lugnuts require more torque than your honda makes! 68 GMC, 4X4 conversion w/73 k20 running gear and springs, 350 4spd, 4.10's, D44 powerlok front, 14BFF govlock rear, 33" tires, lifted 4". |
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#11 | |
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,525
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Re: Power drum brakes?
Quote:
This is now top on my to do list.
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I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035 |
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#12 |
C/10 junkie
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Stockton Ca
Posts: 9,093
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Re: Power drum brakes?
Best 45 minute upgrade you can do.
Posted via Mobile Device
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Shawn 70 LWB C10 current driver/project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=663051 68 SWB C10 Work in progress.....SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559520 72 LWB C10 Sold 71 LWB C10 Sold 68 LWB C10 CST Sold http://youtu.be/kbB0QrBIs9k My mom always had the best advice. It was just a tad late. After a fall that involved blood, she'd say....."Careful!" ![]() |
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#13 |
I am a Referee of life.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,993
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Re: Power drum brakes?
If yu are very careful and don't take the lines loose,just adjust and pull the MC far enough forward to get it together,you may not even have to bleed the brakes.
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The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" |
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#14 | |
C/10 junkie
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Stockton Ca
Posts: 9,093
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Re: Power drum brakes?
Quote:
Posted via Mobile Device
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Shawn 70 LWB C10 current driver/project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=663051 68 SWB C10 Work in progress.....SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559520 72 LWB C10 Sold 71 LWB C10 Sold 68 LWB C10 CST Sold http://youtu.be/kbB0QrBIs9k My mom always had the best advice. It was just a tad late. After a fall that involved blood, she'd say....."Careful!" ![]() |
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#15 |
Grandpa in the rustmobile...
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN
Posts: 11,422
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Re: Power drum brakes?
Did power drums before I went power disc. Lots nicer
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John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 736
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Re: Power drum brakes?
I like that link too....makes it look easy. Straight 6 is a little more involved it looks like (which is what I plan) dealing with room for air cleaner and booster. What is the difference in boosters....pancake vs pumpkin shaped ones? I pulled a setup from a GMC that had drums and it had the pumpkin shaped one....now I have to figure out how the linkage goes back together after I cleaned and painted them!
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: Power drum brakes?
Not sure about our trucks, but on my 2+2 (Impala) there are two different holes in the brake pedal, one for power brakes and one for manual brakes. You need less leverage with the power booster.
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ark City, Kansas
Posts: 3,339
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Re: Power drum brakes?
I've had power and manual drum, BOTH SUCKED, compared to disc. Sorry that's my experience. Not knocking ANYONE!!!
You CAN buy 6 lug disc conversions, don't remember from who, but would be simpler, you could keep 6 lug wheels, and not have to convert rear end to 5 lug, going to disc. I have a 67 and 68, both will get 5 lugs, and front disc, factory style. There's all knds of super duper disc comversions aviailable, lot's of $$$ choices. The factory style works GREAT!!! |
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