Low vacuum for brakes

[jams97355]

I am looking for ideas on how to increase the vacuum for my brakes. Large thumper cam creates very little vacuum and pedal is stiff. I have considered a hydraboost system but would like to just put on a electric vacuum pump. Has anyone done it either way. Which is better? Thanks.

[b00sted]

Here you go. Works well and saves some money.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/63010...LwhBoCOxHw_wcB

[jams97355]

[QUOTE=b00sted;7660723]Here you go. Works well and saves some money.

Have you used one? I have almost no vacuum now and wonder if it will be enough.

[mongocanfly]

Thumping cam??? I wouldn't slow down till I had a hydroboost..then you wont have to worry bout it..if you go that route astro van works well..

[jams97355]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Thumping cam??? I wouldn't slow down till I had a hydroboost..then you wont have to worry bout it..if you go that route astro van works well..

I have already put all new booster, master cylinder, plumbing and pedal assembly on the firewall. Are the hydraboost the same size as the booster so I wouldn't have to change everything. And Yeah, it is a Comp Cams Mother Thumper in a 402 bbc. Sounds awesome but that much HP, I need some stopping power too.

[mongocanfly]

The hydro on my 81 appears to take up no more space than a vac booster..actually it takes less real estate than vac..my 53 hydro is going under floor..there are several builds here that use firewall hydro..shame you have all new stuff..the best thing would be to get the whole hydro setup..plumbing should be fine..not sure about pedal..hydro and master are a unit I think.

[mr48chev]

As he has already got a complete brand new vacuum setup a vacuum pump would be the simple way to go.
The one I posted on FB a minute ago for you that fits late model Cads and some pickups http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-GM-C...-/161965717486 You can probably find one fir even less by searching the number, I didn't check rock auto.

There is one for 99/07 Ford diesel pickups for 50 but it may not have enough vacuum for brakes.
Some years Dodge Cummins trucks had a belt driven vacuum pump to run accessories with but I don't know if it will work with brakes. +

[la hi]

This week I replaced my small vac pump with a pv01 vac pump from summit. Now I have a vac pump to vac reservoir to brake booster (speedway under truck) . I can almost slide the tires but not quite.
454, comp cam 11-600-8, edelbrock 1407 with 1/2" spacer

[jams97355]

So what about just adding a inline vacuum canister. They claim it is all I need. Can get a chrome one or aluminum. Anyone ever use one of those?

[Katrina/10]

The vacuum canister won't increase vacuum, just stores it. When you are decelerating, you may make good enough vacuum for one stop. The electric pumps work, but I have heard they are a little noisy.

[01spirit750]

I had the same issue and I considered the electric vacuum option. I was running a small diameter brake booster with a low vacuum engine.
I ended up installing a hyroboost setup, it was the best upgrade.

Warning- during the first test drive after installing the hydroboost, be very gentle on the brakes until you get the feel. I had been warned that if you are not carefully you will launch yourself thru the windshield.

[Speedbumpauto]

Had to change cams to satisfy an aftermarket EFI. Have a SSBC #28146 pump kit with about 500 miles that I don't need anymore. If interested, PM me. I'll make you a deal. I went with the pump because I was in the same situation you are in, but in honesty, if I was doing a new system, I'd do the hydroboost. The pump worked well with a small dual diaphragm booster under the floor. There is plenty of room to install the pump on the frame outside, between the frame and the step well. You can hear it when it turns on. I added a vacuum canister so it didn't turn on as often. Was acceptable.

[Stepside Jim]

jams97355, in my '57 I used a 396 with a Thumper cam. I knew before I drove the truck I was going to use an electric vacuum pump.

I'm very pleased with the pump, it works great. It does how ever make a pumping sound, but once the booster is at full vacuum, it shuts off, no sound.

Once you start the engine, you don't even know it's there when it does turm on.

I mounted mine under the drivers side foot area on the frame. I also made a metal box enclosure because it would help quiet it and keep road and weather grime off it.







I also used the same weather stripping that is used between the firewall and the inner fender of the 55 -59 trucks where the metal box meets the frame and the bottom of the cab to seal out moisture and help control any sound from the pump.

Jim

[e015475]

There's a Hydro Boost unit sitting on my bench at the moment. I measured it the other day and it is about 6.5" from the firewall flange to the MC face.

I think there all about the same external dimensions. This one is off a 00 Astro van

Go big or go home - you did it with your engine, now do it with the brakes! Was $40 at the junkyard, and they pulled it

[_Ogre]

i run a o3 ford cobra hydroboost, has worked great for the first 27,000 miles

[tmoble]

guys have gotten the Astrovan hydraboost setup working on a truck for under $100. That's using the hoses off the donor chevy pickup for a firewall mount deal.for a frame mount setup under the cab you'd need longer hoses. A local Parker Store quoted me under $75 for both pressure hoses and enough hose to make the return lines. I may still do this.

[jams97355]

Thanks for all the great info and ideas. I think I will hit the wrecking yards next week and look for a hydraboost from a astro van. If not, I am going to Hot August Nights in a couple weeks and I can go by summit and pick up a new one. Thanks again

e015475 made up my mind for me. Go big or go home - you did it with your engine, now do it with the brakes!

[Coupeguy2001]

I put a hydroboost on my 57.
Got it off a 95 duallie. works pretty good.
I ran hard lines in the frame rail, and went to NAPA and bought the tubing in a 50 foot roll and made the lines fit the truck. Takes extra time, but looks awesome, and they are out of the way.
I think I bought the 50 foot roll for about $22.00.
I spent some time straightening out the tubing, but they ended up straight and just fit.
You need to make a line from the pump to the brake booster, then another one from the booster to the gear box, then another one from the gear box to to the pump, and the initial line needs to be a high pressure flex line. I had that made at a hydraulic hose shop for $18.
I made my own lines on the front of the frame from left to right and used flex lines to the calipers. Then I made the lines back to the rear axle flex line.
It is only time. If you make a mistake, you can just make another one.
Glad I did it. no ugly vacuum booster on the firewall.



]]

[tmoble]

you'll need hi-pressure lines like power steering pressure lines from the Pump to the HB and then from the HB to the steering box. the return line from the HB is low pressure like the return line from the steering box. The two return lines can by Tee'd together or you can find a pump reservoir from a car or truck that has two return line nipples on it. Doesn't seem to hurt to Tee them together although vendor selling expensive parts are horrified by the thought. 'course, a lot of them seem to be horrified by anything they're not selling.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by tmoble

you'll need hi-pressure lines like power steering pressure lines from the Pump to the HB and then from the HB to the steering box. the return line from the HB is low pressure like the return line from the steering box. The two return lines can by Tee'd together or you can find a pump reservoir from a car or truck that has two return line nipples on it. Doesn't seem to hurt to Tee them together although vendor selling expensive parts are horrified by the thought. 'course, a lot of them seem to be horrified by anything they're not selling.

I did hear that the return line from the H B does NOT like any back pressure, maybe that was the horrible part, and the 2 port "can" on the pump the H B port was high on the can and above the fluid level, FWIW

[1project2many]

I've worked in a few fleets that have HB equipped vehicles. Early on the HB return lines were kept separated. They can be seen connected together at times these days. I installed HB in a '95 Blazer several years ago and Tee'd the return lines. The system worked well enough that I let my wife drive it.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

I've worked in a few fleets that have HB equipped vehicles. Early on the HB return lines were kept separated. They can be seen connected together at times these days. I installed HB in a '95 Blazer several years ago and Tee'd the return lines. The system worked well enough that I let my wife drive it.

I am dealing with a 2003 ford g t HB, I hope the "T" works on that one!

[jams97355]

I made it to my friends wrecking yard today and he has one on a 2000 Astro van. Has all the lines. I'll go get it wednesday on my day off. I'll look at how its plumbed and repeat it on mine. Thanks for all the info. This site is great.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

I am dealing with a 2003 ford g t HB, I hope the "T" works on that one!

i have the same 03 hb and run a T in the return line
worked fine for the last 27,000 miles

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i have the same 03 hb and run a T in the return line
worked fine for the last 27,000 miles

Thanks, I hope I have as much luck !