Hydroboost conversion done!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
I spent 6 hours start to finish thats including the 2 hour trip to the u-pull to get parts.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
I drive a 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis that has 4 wheel disc brakes with hydroboost and it stops very nice so I wonder how well a hydroboost from a fullsize 4 wheel disc 1975 to 1978 Lincoln or Mercury Marquis or Ford LTD would fit these trucks?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 3
From: Dracut, Massachusetts
it may work, but it also may not output enough pressure.
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 927
Likes: 3
From: Lake Point, Utah
Marquis
I had a 76 that I was going to use the Hydroboost from several years ago..ended up selling the whole car...those cars are very heavy and the unit should work just fine for a truck unless it built insanely huge....Superduty units are just easier to come by now...and a little more modern.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 15
From: Costa Mesa, CA
Machined aluminum will look just fine (I bought the aluminum block/billet today)As for looking as if the truck came with one... I strive in all of my work on the trucks to look BETTER than it did coming from the factory. I think I'm doing ok at pulling that off as well.
Factory "brackets" were an L bent piece of steel. I'll take a machined piece instead most of the time.
I haven't run an old hydrobbost before but from what I have heard the new units seem to function a bit better. Plus, based on other responses here - the new ones sound a little smaller/more compact.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 3
From: Dracut, Massachusetts
Not to toot my own horn, but you apparently haven't seen my work. Machined aluminum will look just fine (I bought the aluminum block/billet today)
As for looking as if the truck came with one... I strive in all of my work on the trucks to look BETTER than it did coming from the factory. I think I'm doing ok at pulling that off as well.
Factory "brackets" were an L bent piece of steel. I'll take a machined piece instead most of the time.
Machined aluminum will look just fine (I bought the aluminum block/billet today)As for looking as if the truck came with one... I strive in all of my work on the trucks to look BETTER than it did coming from the factory. I think I'm doing ok at pulling that off as well.
Factory "brackets" were an L bent piece of steel. I'll take a machined piece instead most of the time.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Not going to split hairs some of the things ford did was fine but other parts of these trucks you just have to sit back and think what were they smoking? The really bad pedal bushing design, firewall flex at the booster and the fuse box which uses such uncommon and hard to find fuses. So if you can find a part you can make better than stock I say go for it.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: N. IL
I want to drive my truck first, maybe after everything is finished with my conversion I'll take a weekend to do this job. I live in Illinois and won't drive my truck after the salt hits the road so that leaves me roughly until December to drive my truck if I ever get time to finish it.
Oh and for the record Chasetruck, the pics of your work toot your horn for you.
Oh and for the record Chasetruck, the pics of your work toot your horn for you.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Dillsburg PA
Gashog the prices that you quoted are the junk yard prices or did you get them at a parts store, if so where? Do you have any part numbers?
My 79's brakes were pretty jacked from the PO and my plan is to do alot of hauling and towing with 37's so a little extra stopping power would be great.
Why did you do the snap rings? If your worried about the bolts backing out way not do lock-tight or a jam nut and lock-tight. Just curious.
Thanks for the post.
My 79's brakes were pretty jacked from the PO and my plan is to do alot of hauling and towing with 37's so a little extra stopping power would be great.
Why did you do the snap rings? If your worried about the bolts backing out way not do lock-tight or a jam nut and lock-tight. Just curious.
Thanks for the post.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
The only part I got from the parts store new was the master cylinder.But all the parts I listed can be had new or rebuilt from any parts store.
These are the prices for new parts
190.00 + 50.00 core on F-450 Hydroboost with bracket
Pressure hose pump to booster 19.00
Pressure hose booster to steering gear 22.00
These are the prices for new parts
190.00 + 50.00 core on F-450 Hydroboost with bracket
Pressure hose pump to booster 19.00
Pressure hose booster to steering gear 22.00