What brake boosters have you MADE to fit our trucks? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

REPO1 · 04-06-2002, 09:58 AM

We have a shortage of good trucks for parts around my area, but there are tons of others. What I would like to know is what have you used/modified to fit our trucks? Is there a specific one that doens't take much, or are they all about the same?

Thanks
Reid

------------------
Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada

1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper
#s matching 402BB Turbo 400 trans.
Air conditioning, power steering, manual brakes.
73,600 Original Miles!!
(Add on 2000 more from raod trip!)

Slammed67 · 04-06-2002, 10:06 AM

I was in a junk yard last weekend and was looking around at brake boosters/master cylinders and the ones on late 80's? S-10's looked somewhat promising. Looks like the master cylinder body on those is aluminum and the reservoir is plastic (no rust problems!) And it mounts flush to the firewall. Has anyone attempted this installation? Obviously the push rod would have to be modified and mounting holes would have to be drilled in the firewall (unless the existing stud holes would work??). I might check into this more because I'd like to get rid of the stock monster booster.

------------------
Current project: The "HACKstoration" 1967 GMC shortbed/fleetside, 350/700R4, air bag suspension, 18" billet wheels. Other vehicle of interest: 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4dr hard top, 283/powerglide, lowered 3-1/2" in front and 2 inches in the rear.

Web Site: jaySpot.com AOL Screen Name: Slammed67GMC Location: Kansas City, MO

[This message has been edited by Slammed67 (edited April 06, 2002).]

REPO1 · 04-06-2002, 10:09 AM

Good to know. I was hoping to hit the local pick-a-part this weekend, but wouldn't you know it, its snowing! I hate the weather lately!! Thus I am trying to find out on here.

Thanks! I will definately have a look at one of those.

Reid

barn9 · 04-06-2002, 10:41 AM

I would be interested in any alternatives that might be available also. I think I'm going to have to replace one or both (if we ever get any decent weather around here).

------------------[*]'71 Cheyenne, 402BB[*]Winfield, KS[*] http://barn9.freeservers.com[*] steer50@hotmail.com

SCOTI · 04-06-2002, 11:21 AM

If I were gonna use wrecking yard parts I would lean towards a 1/2 truck rather than a S-10 because of the little trucks smaller calipers require a smaller bore that would effect your 1/2 ton trucks brakes. If a late 80's S-10 works, try the same year 1/2 ton truck m/s as it is the same style aluminum w/plastic resivoir. My 2 cents.

REPO1 · 04-06-2002, 11:28 AM

Just to point out, 71Chev just emailed me. Guess he's got a booster off a '72 C20 to sell me. Guess I won't have to do any mods after all.

Reid

------------------
Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada

1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper
402BB Turbo 400 trans.
A/C, P/S, manual brakes.
75,800 Original Miles!!
'71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto
'97 Z28 -- Runs 11.5 @ 118mph.

**Desert Rat** · 04-06-2002, 12:42 PM

Im doing things backasward on my 67 I hate the booster,so im putting in a 72 manual DB system,for some reason i prefer manual brakes,but wont touch manual steering!!!!

Slammed67 · 04-06-2002, 01:40 PM

SCOTI,

I was thinking that too and you bring up a good point. However, I have a '78 Monza master cylinder/booster in my '57 Bel-Air (with Chevelle calipers) and it'll stop on a dime. It is obviously a much bigger and heavier car. Also, a friend of mine has a Fiero master cylinder/brake booster in his '58 Nomad and it also works fine. I will research this more though. I went to the junk yard this morning and picked up one off an S-10 (it was only $24.00 so no big loss if it doesn't work). The booster is smaller in diameter, but depth is about twice that of the stock booster. The overall length is about 3 or 4 inches shorter however. After looking at the firewall to see if it will fit I noticed a few possible conflicts. First, since it mounts directly to the firewall, it may interfere with the steering column shift linkage. The mounting studs of the truck would have to be removed since the S-10 booster has studs on it already. The studs are the same distance apart side to side, but are spaced different vertically (new lower holes would need to be drilled). And of course the push rod would have to be modified to fit. I'll let everyone know if I get it to work.

------------------
Current project: The "HACKstoration" 1967 GMC shortbed/fleetside, 350/700R4, air bag suspension, 18" billet wheels. Other vehicle of interest: 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4dr hard top, 283/powerglide, lowered 3-1/2" in front and 2 inches in the rear.

Web Site: jaySpot.com AOL Screen Name: Slammed67GMC Location: Kansas City, MO

imaindianoutlaw · 04-06-2002, 02:41 PM

Just ran accross about 3 today in one yard

------------------
Charles W. Hein
S. Williamsport PA

imaindianoutlaw@yahoo.com

REFRIGERATION TECH

1971 Rolling chassis

FOR SALE
1963 Pontiac Tempest
1965 Pontiac GTO
1956 Pontiac 2 dr

SCOTI · 04-06-2002, 02:46 PM

The booster is not the area of concern as it just creates the vacuum needed...it's the bore size of the master cyl that is different. S-10's have 10" front disc's that use a smaller bore m.cyl compared w/full size pass cars/trucks w/11" or larger discs & calipers. The larger discs require more fluid thus have bigger caliper piston area & a larger bore m.cyl is needed. What year chevelle did your calipers come from & what size rotors were used?

Slammed67 · 04-06-2002, 04:00 PM

SCOTI, The calipers on my '57 are off a '72 Chevelle/El Camino. The rotors are the ones used on a '78 (+/-) Malibu... not sure what dia. they are. I understand what you are saying about the master cylinder bore being smaller though. I'm sure the Monza calipers are much smaller than the Chevelle calipers, but it still works okay. I assume the 1/2 ton master cylider would bolt right up to the S-10 booster, so if the S-10 one didn't give me sufficient braking, I couple swap in a 1/2 ton MC.

------------------
Current project: The "HACKstoration" 1967 GMC shortbed/fleetside, 350/700R4, air bag suspension, 18" billet wheels. Other vehicle of interest: 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4dr hard top, 283/powerglide, lowered 3-1/2" in front and 2 inches in the rear.

Web Site: jaySpot.com AOL Screen Name: Slammed67GMC Location: Kansas City, MO

eric27 · 04-06-2002, 07:11 PM

I used a 97 Saturn. With a little mod it works great and looks great.

REPO1 · 04-06-2002, 08:05 PM

Any pics Eric?

SCOTI · 04-07-2002, 05:56 PM

post some pics Eric...everybodys doin' it.

eric27 · 04-07-2002, 09:21 PM

Got my disk of pics at work. I will bring them home tomorrow. Someone will have to post for me cause I dont have a clue.

------------------
1972 SWB, VIPER BLUE, TILT, POWER DISC BRAKES,350-AUTO, FACTORY AM/FM. 1970 FORMULA 400 FIREBIRD (HAS TO WAIT DUE TO MR. 72)- "If you dont use your head, you might as well have 2 a$$**"

Slammed67 · 04-08-2002, 11:52 PM

Eric, I can post them for you if you e-mail them to me. I'd like to see them too.

Jason

------------------
Current project: The "HACKstoration" 1967 GMC shortbed/fleetside, 350/700R4, air bag suspension, 18" billet wheels. Other vehicle of interest: 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4dr hard top, 283/powerglide, lowered 3-1/2" in front and 2 inches in the rear.

Web Site: jaySpot.com AOL Screen Name: Slammed67GMC Location: Kansas City, MO

tom hand · 04-09-2002, 07:58 AM

Most any modern master cylinder will operate any automotive disk brake caliper. When you start changing piston sizes you change two things. The first is pedal effort,if you put too large a piston master cylinder on a manual brake setup you will have to put both feet on the pedal to stop it. And if you put too small a piston on a power brake setup it will throw you thru the windshield when you barely touch the pedal. The second is pedal travel,smaller piston = more travel, larger piston = less travel. The original power brakes on these trucks was too senitive in my opintion,and a minor change in piston size would propably make it have better "feel". Unless you wildly mismatch parts it will work.

------------------
72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail
Olive Branch MS

04-06-2002, 09:58 AM	#1
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	What brake boosters have you MADE to fit our trucks? We have a shortage of good trucks for parts around my area, but there are tons of others. What I would like to know is what have you used/modified to fit our trucks? Is there a specific one that doens't take much, or are they all about the same? Thanks Reid ------------------ Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper #s matching 402BB Turbo 400 trans. Air conditioning, power steering, manual brakes. 73,600 Original Miles!! (Add on 2000 more from raod trip!) __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

04-06-2002, 10:06 AM	#2
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	I was in a junk yard last weekend and was looking around at brake boosters/master cylinders and the ones on late 80's? S-10's looked somewhat promising. Looks like the master cylinder body on those is aluminum and the reservoir is plastic (no rust problems!) And it mounts flush to the firewall. Has anyone attempted this installation? Obviously the push rod would have to be modified and mounting holes would have to be drilled in the firewall (unless the existing stud holes would work??). I might check into this more because I'd like to get rid of the stock monster booster. ------------------ Current project: The "HACKstoration" 1967 GMC shortbed/fleetside, 350/700R4, air bag suspension, 18" billet wheels. Other vehicle of interest: 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4dr hard top, 283/powerglide, lowered 3-1/2" in front and 2 inches in the rear. Web Site: jaySpot.com AOL Screen Name: Slammed67GMC Location: Kansas City, MO [This message has been edited by Slammed67 (edited April 06, 2002).] __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

04-06-2002, 10:09 AM	#3
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	Good to know. I was hoping to hit the local pick-a-part this weekend, but wouldn't you know it, its snowing! I hate the weather lately!! Thus I am trying to find out on here. Thanks! I will definately have a look at one of those. Reid __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

04-06-2002, 10:41 AM	#4
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	I would be interested in any alternatives that might be available also. I think I'm going to have to replace one or both (if we ever get any decent weather around here). ------------------[]'71 Cheyenne, 402BB[]Winfield, KS[] http://barn9.freeservers.com[] steer50@hotmail.com __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

04-06-2002, 11:21 AM	#5
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	If I were gonna use wrecking yard parts I would lean towards a 1/2 truck rather than a S-10 because of the little trucks smaller calipers require a smaller bore that would effect your 1/2 ton trucks brakes. If a late 80's S-10 works, try the same year 1/2 ton truck m/s as it is the same style aluminum w/plastic resivoir. My 2 cents. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

04-06-2002, 11:28 AM	#6
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	Just to point out, 71Chev just emailed me. Guess he's got a booster off a '72 C20 to sell me. Guess I won't have to do any mods after all. Reid ------------------ Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. A/C, P/S, manual brakes. 75,800 Original Miles!! '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 -- Runs 11.5 @ 118mph. __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

04-06-2002, 12:42 PM	#7
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	Im doing things backasward on my 67 I hate the booster,so im putting in a 72 manual DB system,for some reason i prefer manual brakes,but wont touch manual steering!!!!

04-06-2002, 01:40 PM	#8
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	SCOTI, I was thinking that too and you bring up a good point. However, I have a '78 Monza master cylinder/booster in my '57 Bel-Air (with Chevelle calipers) and it'll stop on a dime. It is obviously a much bigger and heavier car. Also, a friend of mine has a Fiero master cylinder/brake booster in his '58 Nomad and it also works fine. I will research this more though. I went to the junk yard this morning and picked up one off an S-10 (it was only $24.00 so no big loss if it doesn't work). The booster is smaller in diameter, but depth is about twice that of the stock booster. The overall length is about 3 or 4 inches shorter however. After looking at the firewall to see if it will fit I noticed a few possible conflicts. First, since it mounts directly to the firewall, it may interfere with the steering column shift linkage. The mounting studs of the truck would have to be removed since the S-10 booster has studs on it already. The studs are the same distance apart side to side, but are spaced different vertically (new lower holes would need to be drilled). And of course the push rod would have to be modified to fit. I'll let everyone know if I get it to work. ------------------ Current project: The "HACKstoration" 1967 GMC shortbed/fleetside, 350/700R4, air bag suspension, 18" billet wheels. Other vehicle of interest: 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4dr hard top, 283/powerglide, lowered 3-1/2" in front and 2 inches in the rear. Web Site: jaySpot.com AOL Screen Name: Slammed67GMC Location: Kansas City, MO __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

04-06-2002, 02:41 PM	#9
imaindianoutlaw GMC SHORT FLEET F/S Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT PENNSYLVANNIA Posts: 2,117	Just ran accross about 3 today in one yard ------------------ Charles W. Hein S. Williamsport PA imaindianoutlaw@yahoo.com REFRIGERATION TECH 1971 Rolling chassis FOR SALE 1963 Pontiac Tempest 1965 Pontiac GTO 1956 Pontiac 2 dr __________________ CHARLES WADE HEIN HVACR FOREMAN. LEWISBURG U.S.P.

04-06-2002, 02:46 PM	#10
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	The booster is not the area of concern as it just creates the vacuum needed...it's the bore size of the master cyl that is different. S-10's have 10" front disc's that use a smaller bore m.cyl compared w/full size pass cars/trucks w/11" or larger discs & calipers. The larger discs require more fluid thus have bigger caliper piston area & a larger bore m.cyl is needed. What year chevelle did your calipers come from & what size rotors were used? __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

04-06-2002, 04:00 PM	#11
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	SCOTI, The calipers on my '57 are off a '72 Chevelle/El Camino. The rotors are the ones used on a '78 (+/-) Malibu... not sure what dia. they are. I understand what you are saying about the master cylinder bore being smaller though. I'm sure the Monza calipers are much smaller than the Chevelle calipers, but it still works okay. I assume the 1/2 ton master cylider would bolt right up to the S-10 booster, so if the S-10 one didn't give me sufficient braking, I couple swap in a 1/2 ton MC. ------------------ Current project: The "HACKstoration" 1967 GMC shortbed/fleetside, 350/700R4, air bag suspension, 18" billet wheels. Other vehicle of interest: 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4dr hard top, 283/powerglide, lowered 3-1/2" in front and 2 inches in the rear. Web Site: jaySpot.com AOL Screen Name: Slammed67GMC Location: Kansas City, MO __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

04-06-2002, 07:11 PM	#12
eric27 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: cooper,tx america Posts: 127	I used a 97 Saturn. With a little mod it works great and looks great. __________________ 1972 SWB, VIPER BLUE, TILT, POWER DISC BRAKES,350-AUTO, FACTORY AM/FM. 1971 Camaro SS factory 4 speed project car. " I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN WORKS"

04-06-2002, 08:05 PM	#13
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	Any pics Eric? __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

04-07-2002, 05:56 PM	#14
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	post some pics Eric...everybodys doin' it. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

04-07-2002, 09:21 PM	#15
eric27 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: cooper,tx america Posts: 127	Got my disk of pics at work. I will bring them home tomorrow. Someone will have to post for me cause I dont have a clue. ------------------ 1972 SWB, VIPER BLUE, TILT, POWER DISC BRAKES,350-AUTO, FACTORY AM/FM. 1970 FORMULA 400 FIREBIRD (HAS TO WAIT DUE TO MR. 72)- "If you dont use your head, you might as well have 2 a$$**" __________________ 1972 SWB, VIPER BLUE, TILT, POWER DISC BRAKES,350-AUTO, FACTORY AM/FM. 1971 Camaro SS factory 4 speed project car. " I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN WORKS"



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04-08-2002, 11:52 PM	#16
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	Eric, I can post them for you if you e-mail them to me. I'd like to see them too. Jason ------------------ Current project: The "HACKstoration" 1967 GMC shortbed/fleetside, 350/700R4, air bag suspension, 18" billet wheels. Other vehicle of interest: 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4dr hard top, 283/powerglide, lowered 3-1/2" in front and 2 inches in the rear. Web Site: jaySpot.com AOL Screen Name: Slammed67GMC Location: Kansas City, MO __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

04-09-2002, 07:58 AM	#17
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Most any modern master cylinder will operate any automotive disk brake caliper. When you start changing piston sizes you change two things. The first is pedal effort,if you put too large a piston master cylinder on a manual brake setup you will have to put both feet on the pedal to stop it. And if you put too small a piston on a power brake setup it will throw you thru the windshield when you barely touch the pedal. The second is pedal travel,smaller piston = more travel, larger piston = less travel. The original power brakes on these trucks was too senitive in my opintion,and a minor change in piston size would propably make it have better "feel". Unless you wildly mismatch parts it will work. ------------------ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

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