Question on converting from manual to power brakes?
Posted by Sargment@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Hey Ya'll
I have a 1965 Pontiac Catalina I picked up for a project that I am enjoying so far, this is the first car I have had with manual brakes and not really liking it too much, looking to upgrade the brakes to power (calipers in the future but too much $$$ for now), now since my brakes are single pot, can someone direct me to what I need to do to swap to power? I know I will need a power booster, need master cylinder, and I think distribution block? never done this level of brake work before so looking for any advice people have.
Thanks!
Jay-Moah@reddit
The car should have a distribution block for front and rear split already. But you can find a booster kit that comes with a proportioning valve already.
The manual brake pedal will have more mechanical advantage so your food does more work on the cylinder, so people often move the pedal pivot to get a better pedal feel after going to power brakes. Often with converting the pedal is squishy or has a long soft throw.
I’d size the power master cylinder similar to the size master on it if possible just to keep the amount of fluid flowing the same.
Sargment@reddit (OP)
This might be a dumb question; but usually power brakes have a master calendar with two brake lines that go down, mine only has a single line, doesn't the second line go to the distribution block or something?
nopantspaul@reddit
Dual-circuit brakes don’t have anything to do with power assist, they were added as safety equipment. There were cars with single pot master cylinders with power brakes, and dual-circuit cars with manual brakes.
Sargment@reddit (OP)
So to add dual circuit will I need to replace something or just add the new line?
nopantspaul@reddit
You’ll need to create the whole second circuit. It’s pretty common to run fronts/rears as different circuits.
larstodson@reddit
I’ve got a 64 Galaxie that had the single cylinder as well, when there are two line you have one reservoir for front and back so if one line failed you’d still have brakes. With the single if you get a leak in one line, they all suffer. So you’ll have to redo the lines a bit when you swap.
Onedtent@reddit
When you talk about "manual" brakes do you mean that all four wheels have drum brakes on them?
If you understand drum brakes and know how to set them up they can work extremely well.
(Yes, I am aware of their limitations)
Sargment@reddit (OP)
No, manual as in single pot with no booster, the drums themselves I am fine with right now.
Onedtent@reddit
OK.