Brake booster clearance - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Crusty69 · 07-24-2023, 09:03 AM

I'm not 100% sure I want to go this route but it's been mentioned that a family member wants me to swap my small block for his big block that he's got sitting in a corner. It's a tall deck with huge brodix valve covers. It's a 598 ci engine so I don't think smaller covers are an option. Will I run into any issues running a brake booster with this setup or should I stick with manual brakes?

**jeffahart** · 07-24-2023, 11:02 AM

What truck do you have? Just measure the engine, and figure out the mounts. I don't have an answer either way. I just posted to suggest converting to a hydroboost.

j

**LockDoc** · 07-24-2023, 02:41 PM

-
I second the hydroboost unit. Here are a couple of pictures of the one I installed on my Dually project.

LockDoc

**michael bustamante** · 07-24-2023, 02:55 PM

gm had two different style boosters for our trucks. the traditional for the sbc and then a smaller one for the big blocks.. look into boosters for a truck with a factory 402 or 396 in it

**Rust_never_sleeps** · 07-24-2023, 03:04 PM

Dual-diaphragm booster will give you better options for clearance.
Hydroboost will also, but requires more work

Crusty69 · 07-24-2023, 03:28 PM

I'm not opposed to hydroboost but I'll have to figure out the routing for all the lines with my pump setup.

**jeffahart** · 07-24-2023, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusty69

I'm not opposed to hydroboost but I'll have to figure out the routing for all the lines with my pump setup.

Ask what the cam is and see if it will have enough vacuum. Hydro may be a foregone conclusion anyway.

j

**Ironangel** · 07-24-2023, 05:14 PM

A tall deck big block with big aluminum heads and valve covers will most likely have clearance issues with both valve covers and the distributor along the firewall. You may have header fitment issues as well. It will fit with mods to the motor mounts and stands allowing the motor and move forward depending on your accessories and fan set up. The crossmember and steering center link will dictate how low the motor can sit as well. The factory big block oil pans have concave dents molded into the front of the pan to clear the center link.

geezer#99 · 07-24-2023, 07:14 PM

Twas mine I’d install it first and then work on brake mods. Could save a lot of reworking things.
Besides headers and covers and distributor, what trans you gonna use?
And fuel lines need to be upgraded along with the rearend.

**Smitty** · 07-24-2023, 09:34 PM

After putting the HO 350 in my truck, the brakes were terrible. Found out with the cam in it not enough vacuum created. Had to go Hydro boost. What a difference that made in the brake performance. Definitely needed with the nuts running around here.

**dmjlambert** · 07-24-2023, 09:40 PM

What is the truck, a c-10, c-20, longhorn, or what? What year and type of brakes do you have?

07-24-2023, 09:03 AM	#1
Crusty69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: ky Posts: 22	Brake booster clearance I'm not 100% sure I want to go this route but it's been mentioned that a family member wants me to swap my small block for his big block that he's got sitting in a corner. It's a tall deck with huge brodix valve covers. It's a 598 ci engine so I don't think smaller covers are an option. Will I run into any issues running a brake booster with this setup or should I stick with manual brakes?

07-24-2023, 11:02 AM	#2
jeffahart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,909	Re: Brake booster clearance What truck do you have? Just measure the engine, and figure out the mounts. I don't have an answer either way. I just posted to suggest converting to a hydroboost. j __________________ White K20

07-24-2023, 02:41 PM	#3
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,929	Re: Brake booster clearance - I second the hydroboost unit. Here are a couple of pictures of the one I installed on my Dually project. LockDoc Attached Images __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

07-24-2023, 02:55 PM	#4
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,875	Re: Brake booster clearance gm had two different style boosters for our trucks. the traditional for the sbc and then a smaller one for the big blocks.. look into boosters for a truck with a factory 402 or 396 in it __________________ 1967custom

07-24-2023, 03:04 PM	#5
Rust_never_sleeps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Ramon,CA Posts: 652	Re: Brake booster clearance Dual-diaphragm booster will give you better options for clearance. Hydroboost will also, but requires more work

07-24-2023, 03:28 PM	#6
Crusty69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: ky Posts: 22	Re: Brake booster clearance I'm not opposed to hydroboost but I'll have to figure out the routing for all the lines with my pump setup.

07-24-2023, 05:14 PM	#8
Ironangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere" Posts: 2,219	Re: Brake booster clearance A tall deck big block with big aluminum heads and valve covers will most likely have clearance issues with both valve covers and the distributor along the firewall. You may have header fitment issues as well. It will fit with mods to the motor mounts and stands allowing the motor and move forward depending on your accessories and fan set up. The crossmember and steering center link will dictate how low the motor can sit as well. The factory big block oil pans have concave dents molded into the front of the pan to clear the center link. __________________ Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American"

07-24-2023, 07:14 PM	#9
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,752	Re: Brake booster clearance Twas mine I’d install it first and then work on brake mods. Could save a lot of reworking things. Besides headers and covers and distributor, what trans you gonna use? And fuel lines need to be upgraded along with the rearend.

07-24-2023, 09:34 PM	#10
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Spring Valley, Ca. Posts: 1,137	Re: Brake booster clearance After putting the HO 350 in my truck, the brakes were terrible. Found out with the cam in it not enough vacuum created. Had to go Hydro boost. What a difference that made in the brake performance. Definitely needed with the nuts running around here. __________________ Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca.

07-24-2023, 09:40 PM	#11
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,923	Re: Brake booster clearance What is the truck, a c-10, c-20, longhorn, or what? What year and type of brakes do you have?

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