Adding power to my powerless brakes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

OleBlue69 · 01-05-2006, 11:36 PM

First off, thought I would introduce myself. My name's Justin, I have a 69 SWB fleetside, rusted up real nice. So far all I have done to my truck is work on the drivetrain - I built a 383 stroker for it and put in a M-20 muncie. I'm only 21, so the funds are pretty limited and I haven't been able to do much cosmetic-wise to it yet. I been visiting the forums for a couple of weeks and have been very impressed with the knowledge present and number of members.

There is a 71 that has power brakes that I am planning on putting in my truck. I know that I will need to take out the vacuum booster and the master cylinder obviously. I would appreciate tips from anyone who has done this before. How long do you think it will take - a day job maybe?

Thanks!

**truckdude239** · 01-05-2006, 11:43 PM

shouldn't be that bad couple hours at the most

neonlarry · 01-06-2006, 08:27 AM

You do not need the master leave yours on and hooked up, just pull it out enough to fit the booster and bracket in between. You will need the booster, bracket, linkage and probably take the vacuum fitting from the manifold unless you already have one.

Putter · 01-06-2006, 11:06 AM

Yepper. Whar Neonlarry said.
Just unbolt the master from the firewall (leaving the lines connected) and gently ease it away from the firewall....careful not to kink any lines down by the frame.
Slip the booster & bracket in between and button it back up!
Install the vacuum hose for the booster.
Change the rod that runs from the pedal to the booster and violla...
POWER BRAKES.
Watch your head, though...I almost smacked mine on the windshield when I changed over!!!

farside847 · 01-06-2006, 01:07 PM

Here is the writeup on my install....

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=163387

mrein3 · 01-06-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Putter

...stuff deleted...
Change the rod that runs from the pedal to the booster and violla...
...stuff deleted...

Putter said it but nobody pointed it out as far as what you need to grab off the donor -

Make sure you grab the rod that connects the pedal to the back of the booster. I believe it is a different length on power verses manual trucks.

Well I guess neonlarry said linkage.

Just make sure you grab that piece too.

**Bob B.** · 01-07-2006, 05:04 AM

Be careful! '67 to '70 trucks use Bendix boosters, and the master cylinders have a deep hole in the piston for the booster pushrod. '71 and '72 trucks use a Delco booster. Some Delco boosters have a shorter pushrod, and the master cylinder has a very shallow hole for the pushrod. If you use one of these Delco boosters with one of the earlier master cylinders, you could end up with too much play between the booster pushrod and the master cylinder piston, which could give you a very low or no brakes at all.

krue · 01-07-2006, 05:12 AM

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! You're doing the best upgrade for the money there is in my opinion. The hardest part of the mod is adjusting the stupid brake light switch.

OleBlue69 · 01-07-2006, 11:21 AM

Thanks for all the replies guys! Krue, what do you mean about adjusting the brake light and how do you do that? Thanks again!

Nice thread farside847!!!

Novaguy73 · 01-07-2006, 11:30 AM

Just remember what ever you do...make sure you add blinker fluid!!

J/K Where did you get your booster and parts at? Can you get them through autozone??

OleBlue69 · 01-07-2006, 03:08 PM

Novaguy73 - I'm swapping all my stuff off of a 71. I do know that you can get the master cylinder from autozone, along with the blinker fluid,

but not sure what else. Thanks.

01-05-2006, 11:36 PM	#1
OleBlue69 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Collinsville, Virginia Posts: 26	Adding power to my powerless brakes First off, thought I would introduce myself. My name's Justin, I have a 69 SWB fleetside, rusted up real nice. So far all I have done to my truck is work on the drivetrain - I built a 383 stroker for it and put in a M-20 muncie. I'm only 21, so the funds are pretty limited and I haven't been able to do much cosmetic-wise to it yet. I been visiting the forums for a couple of weeks and have been very impressed with the knowledge present and number of members. There is a 71 that has power brakes that I am planning on putting in my truck. I know that I will need to take out the vacuum booster and the master cylinder obviously. I would appreciate tips from anyone who has done this before. How long do you think it will take - a day job maybe? Thanks!

01-05-2006, 11:43 PM	#2
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: Adding power to my powerless brakes shouldn't be that bad couple hours at the most __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

01-06-2006, 08:27 AM	#3
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Re: Adding power to my powerless brakes You do not need the master leave yours on and hooked up, just pull it out enough to fit the booster and bracket in between. You will need the booster, bracket, linkage and probably take the vacuum fitting from the manifold unless you already have one. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

01-06-2006, 11:06 AM	#4
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Re: Adding power to my powerless brakes Yepper. Whar Neonlarry said. Just unbolt the master from the firewall (leaving the lines connected) and gently ease it away from the firewall....careful not to kink any lines down by the frame. Slip the booster & bracket in between and button it back up! Install the vacuum hose for the booster. Change the rod that runs from the pedal to the booster and violla... POWER BRAKES. Watch your head, though...I almost smacked mine on the windshield when I changed over!!! __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

01-06-2006, 01:07 PM	#5
farside847 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 995	Re: Adding power to my powerless brakes Here is the writeup on my install.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=163387 __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree

01-07-2006, 05:04 AM	#7
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,369	Re: Adding power to my powerless brakes Be careful! '67 to '70 trucks use Bendix boosters, and the master cylinders have a deep hole in the piston for the booster pushrod. '71 and '72 trucks use a Delco booster. Some Delco boosters have a shorter pushrod, and the master cylinder has a very shallow hole for the pushrod. If you use one of these Delco boosters with one of the earlier master cylinders, you could end up with too much play between the booster pushrod and the master cylinder piston, which could give you a very low or no brakes at all. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

01-07-2006, 05:12 AM	#8
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: Adding power to my powerless brakes Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! You're doing the best upgrade for the money there is in my opinion. The hardest part of the mod is adjusting the stupid brake light switch. __________________ "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"

01-07-2006, 11:21 AM	#9
OleBlue69 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Collinsville, Virginia Posts: 26	Re: Adding power to my powerless brakes Thanks for all the replies guys! Krue, what do you mean about adjusting the brake light and how do you do that? Thanks again! Nice thread farside847!!! Last edited by OleBlue69; 01-07-2006 at 11:28 AM.

01-07-2006, 11:30 AM	#10
Novaguy73 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ia Posts: 73	Re: Adding power to my powerless brakes Just remember what ever you do...make sure you add blinker fluid!! J/K Where did you get your booster and parts at? Can you get them through autozone?? __________________ -73' Nova 350 5-speed 9"rear, Runs 11's drives anywhere... -72' C10 350 Auto 12 bolt, runs 19's?? drives to work! Last edited by Novaguy73; 01-07-2006 at 11:31 AM.

01-07-2006, 03:08 PM	#11
OleBlue69 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Collinsville, Virginia Posts: 26	Re: Adding power to my powerless brakes Novaguy73 - I'm swapping all my stuff off of a 71. I do know that you can get the master cylinder from autozone, along with the blinker fluid, but not sure what else. Thanks.



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