Hydr boost

[jason7698]

I have a 71 c10 with front disc brake and rear drums and Im wanting to upgrade my brakes to the hydro boost system. But I have few questions Im a long ways from a u pull it junkyard but I was thinking could I just go to a parts stoe and buy a hydro unit? I f I can what all would I need to do this upgrade should I buy the pre fabbed brackets that are being sold on here? Lastly I have a big block with taller valve covers because I have Jesel rocker arm studs will this interfere with the hydro unit install?...Thanks

[trukman1]

First thing I'd wonder is why? With your brakes what do you expect to gain? Also, the core charge, at the parts store, on a hydro boost unit will set you back plenty. You do realize there are differences as the unit in 3/4-ton vehicles are different than those in 1-tons, right? I "upgraded" when I installed a Dana-60 front differential in my 4x4 but that was because I had to to have reliable braking. I added disc brakes on the rear before the 60 swap and still had plenty of braking capability with the stock unit. If I could have stayed with the original power booster I sure would have been happy to do so...no fluid lines so less leak potential. Just my 2 cents worth. YMMV. Good luck in whatever route you decide to take.

[jason7698]

I have a large cam in my bbc so my brakes get pretty weak

[davepl]

There are kits available, and that's what I'd recommend. If you go to pick-a-part you're going to have to sort out the different style connections to the power steering box, as well as the fact it's all metric. The kits come with adapters.

They work fine when done right but aren't cheap. Frankly I'd recommend less cam or a vacuum pump or something, as the factory dual diaphragm booster is plenty strong when it has the right amount of vacuum.

Or always floor it and lift right before you need to panic brake, that generates some vacuum.

[trukman1]

Jason, If you check you can order, I think, pre-1980 parts that should have SAE threads if that is a concern.

[jason7698]

All I know is my brakes are not very good and I need to upgrade!

[davepl]

Still feel the need for a cam that has such poor vacuum it can't run the breaks? It's probably not a lot of fun to drive, takes two feet when cold, and makes life miserable.

Or, depending on your way of thinking, that's the way it should be. But I think a cam in the range of 214-224 duration would improve your quality of life and save you the expense of a bandaid on the brakes.

[MARKDTN]

I read Hydraboost posts with interest. All I remember about them is in Olds Diesel cars and C10 trucks and carbureted 1-tons. I remember floors full of power steering fluid when the seal leaked and wonder why on earth anybody would voluntarily put one on a vehicle. Maybe they got better.

My opinion, add a vacuum reservoir and fix what you got.

[Tom Vogel]

You can buy a reconditioned unit at your parts store or off ebay. All the lines you need can be bought here: http://www.hydratechbraking.com/hose_fittings.html
As for the bracket, I just cut it with a 4" disk and moved the hole up to where I needed it to align with the original hole on the firewall, and re-welded it, and it bolted right on.
I will say its going to be easier to buy the unit from Hydrotech because its just done. But I did what you are talking about doing and really... If I can do it heh heh, well ... you can.

[GASoline71]

Hot rodders have been using hydroboost brake systems out of mid 90's Chevy Astro vans for years. However I wouldn't recommend it for a big ol' 3/4 ton or larger. But if it's a stoplight to stoplight cruiser... might be an option.

Car Craft did a story in their "Junkyard Builder" section a while back. http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...boost_salvage/ It went into a Chevelle, but the truck power steering and brake systems weren't much different in the late 60's and early 70's.

Gary

[bs46488]

Jason,

I put a 90's Astro booster in my 1970 Nova. It has a big block with a mild cam, so not a whole lot of vacuum. My problem now is when I hit the brakes, it could throw you through the windshield.


I am probably going to do a similar hydroboost conversion once the C10 is ready. I put the parts together on my own. Booster from junk hard. I think the master is from an 80's El Camino. My local parts store let me look through all the factory hoses so I have 2 of those also.

The nova weighs around 3000lb, I think the van is 4200. So the C10 is in that same neighborhood.

Here is a pic during mock-up