brake upgrade 46 Ford 1/2 ton
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brake upgrade 46 Ford 1/2 ton
I am just starting the brake system on my restoration and would like to change to a dual chamber master cylinder system. I also would like to consider using a non-vented system with DOT 5 fluid rather than the normal hygroscopic fluid. Is it possible to find a replacement master cylinder such as this with a similar bolt in pattern as the original master cylinder? Does it make sense to atler to the DOT 5 fluid? Anyone out there done this or similar? Thanks for the help/advice. phil w.
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From: Gibsonia, PA
I've seen guys selling replacements on ebay, such as:
1942 - 1948 FORD CAR POWER BRAKE BOOSTER PEDAL ASSEMBLY:eBay Motors (item 110448625181 end time Oct-31-09 18:45:05 PDT)
I think they will fit P/U as well. I used a Wilwood setup, but hung the pedal and cylinders from the firewall. Picts are under the Projects forum 47 1/2 ton build - how to do it the hard way..
1942 - 1948 FORD CAR POWER BRAKE BOOSTER PEDAL ASSEMBLY:eBay Motors (item 110448625181 end time Oct-31-09 18:45:05 PDT)
I think they will fit P/U as well. I used a Wilwood setup, but hung the pedal and cylinders from the firewall. Picts are under the Projects forum 47 1/2 ton build - how to do it the hard way..
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From: Paris Crossing, Indiana
Phil, If you are going to use your stock trans cross member where your stock pedals are bolted then you will need something like this. http://www.mpbrakes.com/uploads/prod...hite_large.jpg. This will bolt right up to the back of your pedals. I don't know a lot about silicone based brake fluid (dot 5) but I use dot 4 in my system.
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I would like to use my old pedals. Have rebushed them and if I could find a system that would just bolt in, that would be perfect. I'm not clear also about the DOT 5 synthetic fluid. Noone seems to have any positive thoughts about it...I'll more than likely also just stay with the 4. I'll follow your link and see what I can find. Thanks for your time...this has been an interesting challenge and learning experience for me. phil.
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loholland, I went to your link and the dual master cylinder looks to be what I am looking for. Not sure about it all...has a booster on it? What is the purpose and effect of that...it seems to be on most of the ones I've seen. I was able to see the photo on your link. Where can I get more information on it and/or purchase it. I wasn't able to move from that link to its home link. If you could advise me on that I would be grateful. phil.
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From: Orange County, CA
Phil, I have a set up on my truck that was made by a local company here in Orange, Ca call ABS. It's the bracket, compact booster, and a remote fill Corvette MC that fits under the floor with no modifications to the floor. The setup allows me to use the stock pedals, especially good since i have a manual trans in the truck. If you want to keep the stock pedals, this sound like what youare looking for. Do a google search for them. They are called ABS in Orange, California.
Another option that you can use, if you don't want power brakes, is to look for an adapter for using an early '70 Mustang dual chamber master cylinder. It used to be a very common swap. It has the 3 bolt pattern of the old cylinder to mount the the frame, and allows you add the Mustang cylinder, again, retaining the stock pedals. I had one that I got from Sacramento Vintage Ford. Check them out if you are looking for one, best of all, they only cost about $20
Another option that you can use, if you don't want power brakes, is to look for an adapter for using an early '70 Mustang dual chamber master cylinder. It used to be a very common swap. It has the 3 bolt pattern of the old cylinder to mount the the frame, and allows you add the Mustang cylinder, again, retaining the stock pedals. I had one that I got from Sacramento Vintage Ford. Check them out if you are looking for one, best of all, they only cost about $20
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Gary, That's really helpful. Being a real novice mechanically, I'm not clear about the booster portion. Makes sense to me to try to include it with my upgrade. I'll try to find out more about the system ABS has and talk with Sacramento Vintage about the other. I really appreciate the help. phil.
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Can't find ABS informtion
Gary, I'm so far unable to locate any info from a search on ABS. If they are local to you, could you see if you could get a phone # or email that I could contact them through? I also have a manual transmission and would like to keep my current setup in addition to upgrading the braking system. Thanks.phil
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From: Paris Crossing, Indiana
Phil, Sounds like Gary has some good options, The home page for my link is this,
Disc Brake & Brake Conversion Kits, Suspension Kits: Master Brakes. you should be able to order a free catalog from there. I hope gary doesn't mind but I think this is his link ABS Power Brake, Inc. Dont' let the years 48-52 worry you it will be the same.
Disc Brake & Brake Conversion Kits, Suspension Kits: Master Brakes. you should be able to order a free catalog from there. I hope gary doesn't mind but I think this is his link ABS Power Brake, Inc. Dont' let the years 48-52 worry you it will be the same.
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From: Orange County, CA
Yeah, that's the ABS I was talking about. They are a great group of guys to work with. They did not have an on the shelf kit for my '46, so they made one up for me for both the master cylinder/booster combo and for the disc brakes up front. And their prices are the same, if not a little lower than the competition.
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brake saga
Gary, I continue to try to figure out the best alternative for my brakes. Right now the best for me seems the Sacramento Vintage option which has no booster, but is somewhat more costly than I was anticipating, seems that it will fit with my pedal setuup. Still you suggested that the Mustang master cylinder might be ???$20. Acutually is $80 and the bracket they to mate to my brake pattern is ~$100. I'm willing to do that if I can make sure it is going to work and fit. He mentioned that my old MC has built in 'residual check valves' and that I will need to add them to the system. I believe he also mentioned that the brake lines should be 1/4". I believe mine are 3/16". I think I will need a proportioning valve to adjust the front to back pressure??? I haven't made the brake lines yet...plan S/S ones so I can go to 1/4 fairly easily if needed and I can either rebuild my wheel cylinders or get new ones from Sacramento, etc. Still not sure about the booster system. I think for now I will opt out and just try to go with the dual MC system. Any thoughts and ideas on the above would be appreciated. phil.
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From: Paris Crossing, Indiana
You know Phil, if your not planning on going to disc brakes in the front, you don't really need a dual chamber master and all that expensive stuff. Replacing or rebuilding your original master and all wheel cylinders, flushing out the brake lines with fresh fluid may be the least expensive and really all you need to do.
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Ironically, I had come to the same conclusion earlier this afternoon. I plan on keeping the drum brakes and the single MC certainly will be easier for me to install and work on. Thanks for all of the help, even tho I ended up going back to original. Have worked with the guys at Sacramento Vintage for the parts. They have been great in their tech support. I still need to figure out what wheel cylinders I need for the rear since we changed out the rear for a 9" Ford rear and not sure year or type. Am into the wheels today and hopefully can get the cylinders out and measure them and go from there. 
phil.
phil.
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From: Paris Crossing, Indiana
Well Phil, I've mentioned this in other threads, but you may find what you need at your local NAPA store. They have a lot of stuff for older vehicles. You never know until you try. Good luck