Question on power brake upgrade

[1970blazin]

Okay- I REALLY don't know anything about this, but here it goes....
My husband was going to put a disc brake setup out of a 71/72 into my 70 blazer, but we don't have the $$ right now. Would it be cheaper to just get a power brake booster hooked up?
We have the regular drum brake setup in our 70 blazer....what are the options and what works the best? Should we....
A.) just bite the bullet and upgrade to disc
B.) Install a power brake booster, or is that even an option?

Thanks in advance for any advice! (BTW I tried a search and couldn't come up with anything!)
Diane

[Longhorn Man]

The booster will increase your braking quite a bit.
You can always upgrade your drums with kevlar brake shoes. They are just about as good as stock disk set ups, last WAY longer, and don't cost as much as a disc swap generally does.
look here for the brake shoes, and note that you don't need all the other stuff they will want to sell you. Your stock drums (if in god shape) are more than good enough.
http://www.praisedynobrake.com/pdbtop.html

[krue]

The booster made a huge difference on my 4wheel drums. I think it is a must do mod mostly because it is so easy and fairly cheap to do. You can use your manual master cylinder and prop valve. If you have any questions on the particulars you can pm me and I'll help all I can.

[gonebad2]

Hi Dianne,...long time no talk to. Check out this website. They have a great technical section that will be sure to answer all of your questions. You can always re-use the booster when you decide to do the disc swap. You will just need a new combination valve and master cylinder. I trusted these guys with my whole braking system. They really know their business...Check em out
http://mpbrakes.com/

[FirstGen]

I'm also interested in putting a brake booster on my stock drum setup. Is this as simple as buying a stock drum booster from AutoZone and installing it? Might have to get longer brake lines I guess? What would I be getting into?
Thanks

[dinnut]

you have to get the bracket that goes behind the booster and the rod that goes thru the firewall for power brakes. then the rest is already there besides the booster

[SWEET7T]

I found another truck that had the power brakes option (another '70 in my case). I bought everything I needed for $15 (old booster, booster bracket, and little junction block that was on the intake manifold [where the vacuum line from the tranny hooks up]). Then ordered in a new booster from the local parts store.

You will need to get the pushrod off of the donor truck as well because it is different. In my case, it was about an 1-1.5hr job. My only problems were: the pushrod in the booster was a little too long and just needed to be adjusted, it was pushing on the master cylinder and applying the brakes. And the wire that hooks up to the bottom of the prop. valve is about 2" too short, which I don't really car about.

My factory brake lines were fine. I just loosened a clamp on the frame and pulled them up as far as I could and just bent and coaxed the master cylinder into position.

After that I went for a test drive and threw myself against the steering wheel Difference between night and day. Not near as much effort is needed to stop as with manual brakes

[68 Suburban]

Where are u guys running the vacuum line from. I don't think I have a nipple in the back of my Edelbrock Carb?

[Longhorn Man]

If you have no port on the carb (I think there is a plug on there you can remove and insert a brass fitting) then you could get the vac from a port on the intake.

[68 Suburban]

Originally posted by Longhorn Man
If you have no port on the carb (I think there is a plug on there you can remove and insert a brass fitting) then you could get the vac from a port on the intake.

Im sure there is a plug. Do you know what size thread they are?

[Longhorn Man]

I wanna say 3/8...but it has been a while.

[68 Suburban]

Next question is: Doesnt the rod that goes to the brake pedal hook up on a different hole than the manual rod? If so, higher or lower?

[Longhorn Man]

I think you are right chris, but not sure which hole is for which set up. (never converted any myself)
I would imagine there is only one other hole ther though.

[SWEET7T]

There is only one hole on the brake pedal arm. Just the ends are different (where the pushrod connects to the brake booster). It was a really easy swap. Don't worry about it, if you get parts from a donor truck, you only need the parts on the 'engine side' of the firewall, plus the pushrod that goes through the firewall.

I got my vacuum from the intake manifold. There was a spot (I don't know the size) where my tranny gets its vacuum from, I just put a tee on it and ran my booster off of that.

Now go out there and get busy...