converted to power brakes today - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SSC's76 · 04-20-2013, 06:09 PM

Well been putting this off for about 8 years. I've had the parts that long just never the motivation I figure since I will be towing the camper what the heck. It was not to hard the donor parts came from a 79 c20 and in 8 years I only lost the plug for the vac port 6 bucks for a new one. Yes I still need to hook up a line filter but the parts store was out said next truck they get will have a few. I do have front disk brakes so no prop vale change was needed. The only snag I ran into was the rod that attaches to the pedal was only 1/2 and the factory manual brake is 9/16. It was a pain in the but to drill that's some hard steel but time and and a few choice words it fits. I can say now that its done it is a huge difference brakes are way more responsive. The one thing kinda stinks its in the donor truck it attaches with 6 bolts and the holes are there if you wanted to drill them out but I've had my fill of drilling I see no reason why the 4 won't do the job
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SSC's76 · 04-20-2013, 06:11 PM

Pics if my phone works right
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SSC's76 · 04-20-2013, 06:12 PM

After
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lilpoindexter · 04-20-2013, 08:09 PM

When I first got my truck, my leg would hurt from the non power brake...but three years later, my leg is very used to it, and it doesn't bother me one bit.

wraprail · 04-21-2013, 08:32 AM

I just did the power to manual brake conversion.
Hate,hate hate power brakes.
I'm using a little ole Dodge Daytona master. (the little 4 cylinder late 80s model)
Wonderful manual brakes (even towing my car trailer with 3200# race car)

SSC's76 · 04-21-2013, 02:58 PM

I went and did a nice run across town I don't know why you guys dident like power brakes it makes things easy. So little effort slowing down now its like night and day difference. I guess if you wanted to go from power to manual brake setup if you were running a real hot engine you could use the master like I had before you would just probably need to make some bushing to take up the slack on the brake pedal side. Lat master I bought was a reman one for 15 bucks about 3 years ago. I think the core was also 15 and these have the rod attached to the master so simple swap. Either way .
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wraprail · 04-21-2013, 06:26 PM

It's all about pedal ratio vs master cylinder bore size = force required to stop.
Get it right and driving is alot more enjoyable (in my opinion)
"seat of the pants" and "road feel" are terms that don't apply to power brakes. (unless it's a car like my 05 Cadillac CTS-V, 4 pistion Brembos with massive 14 inch rotors) it has/had power brakes that worked.
Dam I miss that car.

04-20-2013, 06:09 PM	#1
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	converted to power brakes today Well been putting this off for about 8 years. I've had the parts that long just never the motivation I figure since I will be towing the camper what the heck. It was not to hard the donor parts came from a 79 c20 and in 8 years I only lost the plug for the vac port 6 bucks for a new one. Yes I still need to hook up a line filter but the parts store was out said next truck they get will have a few. I do have front disk brakes so no prop vale change was needed. The only snag I ran into was the rod that attaches to the pedal was only 1/2 and the factory manual brake is 9/16. It was a pain in the but to drill that's some hard steel but time and and a few choice words it fits. I can say now that its done it is a huge difference brakes are way more responsive. The one thing kinda stinks its in the donor truck it attaches with 6 bolts and the holes are there if you wanted to drill them out but I've had my fill of drilling I see no reason why the 4 won't do the job Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

04-20-2013, 06:11 PM	#2
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: converted to power brakes today Pics if my phone works right Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

04-20-2013, 06:12 PM	#3
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: converted to power brakes today After Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

04-20-2013, 08:09 PM	#4
lilpoindexter Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: los angeles Posts: 1,134	Re: converted to power brakes today When I first got my truck, my leg would hurt from the non power brake...but three years later, my leg is very used to it, and it doesn't bother me one bit.

04-21-2013, 08:32 AM	#5
wraprail Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona Posts: 863	Re: converted to power brakes today I just did the power to manual brake conversion. Hate,hate hate power brakes. I'm using a little ole Dodge Daytona master. (the little 4 cylinder late 80s model) Wonderful manual brakes (even towing my car trailer with 3200# race car) __________________

04-21-2013, 02:58 PM	#6
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: converted to power brakes today I went and did a nice run across town I don't know why you guys dident like power brakes it makes things easy. So little effort slowing down now its like night and day difference. I guess if you wanted to go from power to manual brake setup if you were running a real hot engine you could use the master like I had before you would just probably need to make some bushing to take up the slack on the brake pedal side. Lat master I bought was a reman one for 15 bucks about 3 years ago. I think the core was also 15 and these have the rod attached to the master so simple swap. Either way . Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

04-21-2013, 06:26 PM	#7
wraprail Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona Posts: 863	Re: converted to power brakes today It's all about pedal ratio vs master cylinder bore size = force required to stop. Get it right and driving is alot more enjoyable (in my opinion) "seat of the pants" and "road feel" are terms that don't apply to power brakes. (unless it's a car like my 05 Cadillac CTS-V, 4 pistion Brembos with massive 14 inch rotors) it has/had power brakes that worked. Dam I miss that car. __________________



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