Hey all,
Had a question for you all.
Has anyone ever used an aftermarket brake booster assembly or one off another vehicle.The reason I ask is ... I mocked up my booster and M/C assembly the other night on my project and it is 3/16th of an inch from my valve cover. First time I torque the motor up, I'm afraid my ford racing valve cover will be grenaded.
I have a 77 f-100 2wd with 460. Using L&L motor mounts and have the tall ford racing valve covers.
Obviously I've done all the reading on the f-350 swap, but to be honest with you, up here in Maine, I would almost be tempted to find another type of booster(smaller the better) and adapt it to fit. Probably be easier than trying to find a set of brackets off an f-350 around here.
I really want to keep the engine bay uncluttered as much as possible. I've already smoothed over the spot for the heater motor, and also have gotten rid of the windshield washers...along with a bunch of other things. I called one outfit up and they make chrome boosters but not for ford products due to the way the ford boosters are crimpt around the middle.
Anywho, any thoughts or ideas will be appreciated.
James
Maine

 

There is a smaller one available.

These are the applications .

http://www.powerbrakeexchange.com/Ca...rucksvans.html

 

Dennis,
That was actually the company that I was referring to.
I didn't find the booster you were referring to though. One mentioned a 3 1/2 inch thick booster but nothing about the diameter. Short of sounding like an idiot, would you give me their part number to the one you talking about,please.
Thanks
James

 

Going by memory.

There should be a 9" booster that is usually on the 87 + F-350's.

 

There is a tech article on power brake upgrades here that gives some more info on the dual diaphragm boosters. Try looking thru the tech articles (link on right). There are also lots of threads here that have info in them. Make sure your cab mounts are good also. If they are sagging/rusted the booster will be closer to the valve covers.

 

Eric,
Thank you for the response. I have gone through everything from the tech articles to the search function. Have read alot, just not what I'm looking for I guess. Most articles all refer to the 350 upgrade, And alot of people feel its a worthless upgrade without going through with different calipers and cylinders. All the items in the brake system are done other than booster set-up.
Just for the record, no worries about rusted cab mounts.......I have the drivetrain done and the cab done and have already invested $11,500 if that gives you an idea of what I'm working with:-)
Frame is painted mettalic charcoal grey...every nut, bolt washer has been hand painted ect.......Cab is painted Hot lips red, inside and out.
Thanks again
James

 

'75 Highboy booster is smaller in diameter. I think I still have one on the shelf that I could measure. Also some of the boosters used a straight through rod and some used the cantilever setup. Seems like the cant-lever sits lower.

 

Scot,
Thanks for the reply. I have both booster(the straight rod and the linkage-type) I tried the one with the linkage(canti-lever) but not the straight rod one. If you wouldn't mind checking the diameter and the depth of the highboy booster I would appreciate it. To be honest with you, I'm almost tempted to go with manual brake just to keep the engine bay cleaned up. Am contemplating building attatchments to the inner fenders to make it look like the drag cars and the show cars that have the aluminum inner fenders that smooth out both sides of the motor.
Thanks again
James

 

Just an idea to throw out, my dad rebuilds really old ford trucks (1940's) and I know he doesn't have any room for boosters or master cylinders under his hood....So he makes a bracket and mounts them to the frame almost directly under where your feet would sit on the drivers side. He's done it a couple of times w/both booster and master cylinder. There's a lot less room in the old 40's trucks and this seems a perfect fix, why don't we try this to clean up our engine bays?? He also has an access panel so you can get to it but you have to pull the carpet up to get to it. I will ask him how he hooks the linkage up to when I see him next if any of you are interested.

 

I would be interested. I have put a little thought into it, of course it would have been better to decide before I got the cab all done, but I know they offer kits out there somewhere for the "hot rods".
Is there any concerns about the height of the brake assembly to the calipers, as far as gravity is concern?? sounds like an odd question, doesn't it:-)
Thanks
James

 

There are kits for those frame mount booster setups that you can buy. Look in the back of a Custom Classic Truck magazine.

The F350 booster is smaller in diameter ~9.3" which is why it is used with 460 transplants and tall covers.

 

I am running the frame mounted Midland hydroboost on my '55. The unit is a single stage booster and so you will need to either find a double stage one (I do not know if such a thing exists) or change the m/c to a single chamber unit. I guess that you could run two boosters.

The hydroboost is barely higher than the wheel cylinders. I have been running this for 13 years.

 

Let me ask another question while were at it....Is it possible to mount the booster/MC assembly on the frame then use a flexible cable to connect the foot lever to the booster? Similar to the set-up B&M uses on there floor shifters. I know you can get those in like 5-6 foot lengths, Of course my major concern would be...could you get a flexible cable like that , that would be strong enough(safe enough) to work. (Lokar, maybe?)
Just a thought doesn't hurt to bounce off a few people...get opinions:-)
Thanks James

 

James, I measured the highboy booster. They probably call it a 8" but it measures right at 9" on the ring deal where the two halves go together. It is the straight through design.

I have never seen a cable type setup. The pedals on some older stuff swing off the frame instead of the dash.

 

Scot,
Thank you for the reply, sorry it took a day or so, couldn't get on the website???
James