So I would like to upgrade my master cylinder to a duel cylinder. I have been researching here as well as others. It seams that a duel that will just mount right on does not exist. So that leads to a standard master with some kind of an adapter. Question, what have others done for this popular upgrade? What MC's are a good fit, and how do the adapters look. What about the push rod length? This is a 223 so the air cleaner limits the length of the MC. Thanks

 

I rarely see posts about these but my '54 gmc has a bendix frame mounted booster that the PO added. This truck has amazing power brakes like you have to tell anyone driving it to be careful so they don't crack their head on the windshield. The PO also uses this setup on a 48 and a 51 chev 1 1/2 ton dumptruck that have run daily for 30 years in his business. I should ask him what they are and where he gets them. No clearance issues on the firewall and man do those things stop...... I'm spending the day with him on Wednesday going on a long trip to pick up another ch**vy for him so we will have time to discuss his power brake setup. I'll report back on Thursday

 

So only Sisson has any knowledge to share on this subject?

Thanks GB, any info/knowledge would be great!

-Derek

 

I know this is not exactly what you are talking about, but I put power brakes on my '58 f100 while I was changing the front suspension over to a 2003 CV IFS. I used a booster off a 2001 or so Lincoln Town Car (it's very compact) and a master cylinder off of a '98 or so F-150 (it's brake setup is the same as what I have...disc in front drum in rear). I only had to drill a few holes in the firewall to bolt it on and they work fantastically.

Maybe if you can find a master cylinder that goes to a vehicle with drums all around, you could put that in front of a booster and have some power brakes.

Also when talking about pushrod length, it's pretty easy to make your own if you don't already have one (I've done it before). All you have to do is after you have everything installed the way you want it, move the brake pedal where you want it to be. Then just take some keystock (I usually use 1/2" square) and cut it the correct length. Then round off the master cylinder end and drill 2 holes in the other. use some heavy duty metal bracket (1/4" or so) and bolt to the pedal. The reason for two holes in the keystock is so you can put two bolts through the bracket and the keystock to keep it from folding up on you. Of course this is only one of the many ways to skin this cat. Anything similar to that idea will work.

I hope I haven't just typed a lot of information that you already know. Hope it helps a little.

 

I bought a 57 F-350 dually that had the "hydro-vac" behind the seat. It had been a cobbled up old wrecker so I never knew if that was stock or added later. To this day I have driven thousands of vehicles and never one that had brakes as good as that old truck. It would face plant you quick.

Back on the subject. I think a dual reservoir from a 60-70s F-100 with drums could be adapted. It would take a little fab work but not that bad. Also there is a small booster available that might fit in there with the clutch.
Also some of the 60s trucks (my 69 F-250 crew cab for one) had a cantilever booster mount that moved the whole thing up.

 

thanks guys. I decided to put original style back in. A lot cheaper and quicker, maybe power upgrade down the road. But for now, I'm rolln' again!