Brake question for you folks

[drjenkins]

Alrighty, so I've had some serious problems with my brakes a couple weeks ago. I was pushing to the floor and getting no response. So of course I need to fix them. My question being: Since I'm dealing on a limited budget, would it be more advisable to just do a power booster with the dual master cylinder, or go full bore and do the front discs? Pros/cons of both if you could please.

I'm trying to make sure that I stay grounded on this whole resto-mod as much as I can. But I also want to make it safe enough to trust driving my wife and daughter around in it when it's done. Since I'm really green on all things automotive, I wanted to run it by people more experienced than me. Thanks!

Oh, by the way, It's got 6 lug wheels now, is there any reason to swap out for 5 lug? I've seen the disc brake kits are about $100 more for the 6 lug. Just wondering...

dave

[jonzcustomshop]

The original system will work just fine, if rebuilt, the wheel cylinders should be around $12 each, and I think $30 for the original style master cylinder.
It sounds like you might have a bad wheelcylinder. check behind the tires for fluid , one or more will probably be wet.

[TR65]

DR,

I put my 65 brake system up to new specs but even then I didn't consider that the brakes were safe on the freeway in heavy traffic. Funny, they seemed OK when I was driving it in the late 60's.

My first mod was to upgrade to 4 wheel power discs (kept the 6 lug). The rear discs were overkill but the result is really good brakes. No concern on the freeway now.

It was a bit of a job though, maybe not the place to start if you haven't done much auto work.

TR

[MikeN]

I rebuilt the stock brakes on my 64. They work great. Unless you drive like a teenager (speeding, tailgating, swapping lanes, etc) the stock, non-power-assist drums are fine. Rebuild with good quality cylinders, linings, hoses, and hardware kits and you are good to go.

[sidthirteen]

Also might want to check for fluid underneath the dash on the inside of the firewall. That happened to me a few weeks ago. I got in and the pedal went to the floor! I check inside the wheels for fluid ,but it was clean. I checked underneath the dash and there it was... The master cylinder was leaking.... If you got limited cash flow, you can get a rebuild kit for it.......

[drjenkins]

Originally Posted by sidthirteen

Also might want to check for fluid underneath the dash on the inside of the firewall. That happened to me a few weeks ago. I got in and the pedal went to the floor! I check inside the wheels for fluid ,but it was clean. I checked underneath the dash and there it was... The master cylinder was leaking.... If you got limited cash flow, you can get a rebuild kit for it.......

I'll check that out tonight! Thanks!!