Well this weekend I finally got around to upgrading the brake system on my '63.The brakes/wheel cyl's are all rebuilt,new rubber hoses,now to add the power booster/MC.This is a setup designed to fit 57-72 F-100's w/drum brakes.Its a 7" booster w/dual chamber MC.On my truck (4WD) there's a plate bolted to the firewall 1/4"-3/8" thick that the stock fruitjar MC bolts to.Mocking up the new PB setup,the mounting bracket that spaces the PB off the firewall has 4 slotted holes ( 2 upper,2 lowwer).Using the 2 lowwer holes the booster lines up with the brake pedal rod just like the original (using the 2 original bolts that mounted the fruitjar),but it lookes like I'm going to have to figure something out for the upper holes.So my question is this-what do you think about drilling and tapping the 1/4"-3/8" plate for the 2 upper holes for the booster bracket,and using a couple of studs loctited in? The 2 original fruitjar bolts are basically 2 large headed machine screws counter sunk on the backside of this plate to keep it flush with the firewall,thus my thinking for using studs for the upper mounting bolts.Any advice/opinions greatly appreciated.Due to my crazy work schedule I don't get to post much, but I LURK here as often as I can as its fun to see all the different directions people go in modifying there old trucks.Thanks in advance,Al

 

I mounted the booster on my '62 where the four bolts that hold the plate on to the firewall. The bolt holes line up fine and with some washers to bring the booster closer to level, the rod lines up with the original hole in the peddle. You are really supposed to redrill the pedal arm, but since i can't drive mine I want to see what the brakes feel like how I have them and adjust from there. You could also just drill throught the plate and into the firewall and use grade 8 hardware to mount it.


Tyson

 

Al,
I also have a '63 and have gone a similar route as you to do the brakes. I struggled with the firewall mounting as I was really trying to find a boneyard M/C power booster that would bolt right up but had no success. Several issues I could could never seem to solve were; finding a boneyard setup, finding an extended type push rod to connect to the brake pedal and system, and finding something that was a direct bolt on. Keep in mind I was trying to avoid spending a big pile of $ for off the shelf brake setups. I originally spent about $400 for a disk conversion kit from ECI, but was reluctant to spend another $300+ for the M/C power boost as I thought I could find something in a boneyard. Finally, with the help of some info from a guy in another club, he put me on to a special buy at MC Brakes. For a new M/C power booster I wound up paying $175 w/shipping. It was still more than I wanted to spend, but better than the $300 to $400 that they currently go for. It bolted on directly to the firewall with the proper push rod and dust shoe. The only missing piece left of my puzzle is the portioning valve and I do think I can find that in the boneyard. I need the valve as I am going disk in front and drum in the rear, which you may or may not need. I would be interested in what power boost M/C set up you have and what it came off of. By the way, if you think you have the correct set up and the bolt pattern is not quite correct, I wouldn't think drilling into the two braces on the inside of your firewall would hurt, but I think I would definately use four bolts and not two. Am not sure if this helps, but I know I have looked at a lot of different suggestions, none of which was in use by those who had done the suggesting. Sometimes I guess we just need to spend the money and move on. Good luck.
Jim

 

Hi guys,thanks for the replies. I am using the MasterPower brake setup they sell for the 57-72 models w/manual drum brakes. So far I am impressed with there kit, it seems to contain everything you'd need except the additional brake lines you'll have to run. I talked to one of our maintenance men at work last night, and they have some of those recessed head ( ? proper terminoligy ? ) machine screws like the originals, so I will bring the mounting plate to work and get it taken care of so it will be like stock. I hope to finish it this weekend, so hopefully can let you guys know how it works out next week.Keep your fingers crossed, as I'm related to Murphy. If it can go wrong, IT WILL go wrong! See 'ya. Al