I have searched the archives and although there is information on disc conversions, there is no difinitve answer on just converting power brakes. Were power boosters available on '68 trucks? If so do I need to get parts from a bone yard or can I simply get a unit from my local parts store?

Thanks, Richard

 

Richard there were, but the discs were introduced for high usage about the same time. That is why you don't see a lot of power drum brakes on trucks. The disc brakes offer much greater stopping power and there just isn't the demand for power drum conversion.

I hope that you will consider power discs as well. :-)

John
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66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

I believe you're asking about putting power brakes on a 68? If so then I can tell you they did have some with power brakes and it's just simply putting a new booster and master cylinder on it and plug in the vacuum line. At least I think that's the answer. Hope it all goes well.

 

John,

Thanks for the quick reply. I am leaning toward the disc brakes, according to the archives I can convert with any truck up to '78. Do you agree? I would exchange the I beams and hubs and master cylinder, anything else? I need to do king pins now, should I wait or do I use the same pins?

Thanks, Richard

 

When I bought my 70 F-100 it had a blown out power brake booster with all drum brakes. I was going to convert mine to disc and get a new power booster. I went and bought a new booster and master cylinder and WOW! John is right, disc brakes are better than drum but I am going to stay with drums. The power drum brakes on mine work much better than I expected and requires little pedal pressure. I bought my parts from O'rielleys for 99 bucks. If you get a 1972 unit with the solid booster shaft you don't have to worry about finding an end to screw in and bolt to your pedal because its already there. All other years around that time have adjustable shafts. The mounts to bolt the booster to your firewall can be found at a junkyard. The new unit also comes with adapters in case you have different size fittings on your brake lines.

 

Richard it is my personal preferrence to exchange the complete I-beams, and you can use up to 79. If you are planning that swap, I sure wouldn't change the king pins now. I used a 76 on my 66.

John
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[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group

66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

 

John,

I got the I beams, hubs, booster and master cylinder from a '76 this weekend. The truck that I removed the parts from in the scrap yard also had a 6 cylinder engine with power steering. Can I retrofit the power steering onto my '68 also? Power steering and power disc brakes, I would be in heaven.

Thanks, Richard

 

You can use the p/s box from any 68-79 F series truck but you'll have to find a pump and brackets from the same type of engine. There is also a difference in length (about 4") between the standard and p/s columns. Columns from 68-79 will bolt in, including the 79 tilt column. Have fun.

 

Does anyone know if the master cylinder "footprint" (mounting holes, pushrod diameter, etc.) is the same on all the F-trucks of a given year? My '65 F-350 has single-circuit nonpower drums and I would like to add a power booster, and convert to a dual-circuit master cylinder for safety. Swapping to discs isn't an option because the one-ton didn't get the twin I-beams until 1967. I think the DOT required a dual master starting in 1967 as well.

 

Richard, as long as you have a I6 you will be OK, if you have a V8 you will need a different ps pump mounting bracket along with the pullies. You will need the steering column shaft at least.


John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group

66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

John,

Thanks for the reply. I will check out the engine and see if the pump will mount on my 300. I tore down the parts today from the scrap yard and took the rotors and spindles into the machine shop for turning and king pin bushings. The king pin bushings which were installed were plastic and I purchased Moog replacement parts with bronze bushes. In the king pin kit there is a set of shims. I assume to set the clearance. My '68 manual dosen't mention shims, is there something different for the '76? Any information you have would be useful.

Thanks, Richard

 

1. The shims are to take up any vertical play due to wear or to variations in the height of the bottom bearing.

2. Make another trip to the yard and pull the proportioning valve with its bracket and the two brackets that hold the brake line and flex hoses up in the wheel wells. The ones I got had one bolt and one rivit holding them on so I needed a grinder to get them off. You may even consider pulling the pedal assembly to take advantage of its lower profile if you have anautomatic tranny. The pedal will have to be remounted onto your bracket because where the '76 bracket attaches to the dash is different from the '68.

3. Be sure to put new polypropylene bushings in the I-beams and on the radius arms. It'll quieten a lot of rattles you may not have even noticed before.

4. PS + PDB = almost heaven. Just add a c6 and electronic ignition and you're there.

Dan Blackwell

 

Thanks for the re-assurance on the shims, I will check the float when I put them back together. I got the porportioning valve and bracket last rip to the scrap yard, I forgot the brake line brackets though. Thansk for the tip. I took out the three speed last winter and put a BW 4 in it's place. Your right, almost heaven.
Thanks, Richard

 

Richard, That is the reason that I urge guys to buy their donor and bring it home until the conversion is complete, and all usable parts removed. You'll have some parts to sell and those trips back are killers. The yard owner just makes more money.

John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group

66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.