Power brake booster kits for early 50s Special?
Hey all,
I've done some searching in the archives and am I correct in guessing that there is no real conversion kit available to move away from manual drum brakes and install a complete power system with disk/drum? I have seen the references to the Scare Bird front conversion, but then if you want a power booster you have to come up with some fabricated brackets.
I have built a 62 Chevy C-10 and also a 50 Ford F-3 before and there was a lot of options for power braking systems both in kit form and parts breakdown to assemble a system. The Ford had both firewall mounted and frame rail mounted power booster systems. Any help would be appreciated.
Randy
Vh44 brake booster fitting
I can’t believe they drove these thing with these brakes….andsteering ….but anyway…
Not much to show with photos but here is what I did.
Find the brass brake line splitter that directs lines to therear and two fronts, undo the two front lines…..plug one front port and make anew line to go from the other front port to your new VH44 booster ‘in’ port(top …may need a reducer fitting) the outlet in the end of booster has a newline leading to a new second 3 way brass splitter ( I used another identical 4way with one port plugged ..a spare I had from another Buick…..located justabove the existing one which allowed me to use the original 2 front lines asthey were already bent to fit the ports of the original.)
I located my VH44 in the area between the washer bottle andthe guard. There is a mounting stud in the back of most VH44’s… drill a hole forthis, (when you open the drivers door you can access the panel at the back ofthe front guard to drill ) You also need to brace the front of the VH with abracket. You can hardly see the booster tucked in there.
Use the larger diameter brake line to and from the VH, thesame dia as the line from the master to the splitter to ensure plenty of flow.I think I drilled the port holes in the brass splitter open a little to ensuregood fluid dynamics also. I think they were all double flared lines but justget your brake shop to make them up to length . Don’t make the booster toorigidly mounted as the body to chassis movement may be an issue after about 20years ??????? Like I care….I don’t drive it much anyway, my other 50 rides on aG frame…PS…P.disc brakes.. SBC.. OD auto….much nicer.
which 44...I got mine from Ebay from china...works fine.. I have used 4, one was a bit faulty.
How far do you want to go, cost and effort wise ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
1959Buick lesabre
You will probably have to change your wheels too as the calipers will foul the originals, if your racing it discs are the way to go !
