bence13_33

I would like to get rid of my power brake booster and convert to manual brakes. How exactly do I go about doing this and how much is it going to cost?

There are a few reasons I would like to do away with the power brakes. First and foremost, they are going to be a pain in the butt with my solid lifter cam. I'm going to be pulling the valve covers twice a month or so to adjust my valves and don't need to be messing with the valve covers all day. The second reason is that I would like to run a full roller rocker arm with a higher ratio.

Thanks for the help! :cheers:

shawn_cake

Get rocker arm covers that allow the top to be removed, while leaving the base still attached to the cylinder head. I run them on my small block with power brakes!

dman535

Take a look at the engine bay shot on my profile page. You will see the solution to your power brake quandry.

bence13_33

Derek:
You have mail!

James

I just did this conversion on my 69 big block.
Master Power Brakes has all of the stuff needed to do the conversion.

Gordonm

Bence, You are not going to be adjusting the valves as much as you think. Maybe twice a year. The vacuum is marginal with that cam but it would work. You don't need full roller rockers but if you have them run them. What kind of ratio are you going to use. Big blocks use 1.7 ratio. You don't need any more than this.

Flareside

James, what does a setup like that cost?

fauxrs

bence you might also consider s setup using a small diameter booster - these are available from some of the aftermarket brake suppliers.

MikeC

So you are adding more horsepower and removing braking capability????? why in the heck are you doin that? There are solutions. Norval Willem uses a powersteering assisted braking system for his big block. I have a picture somewhere of a system for 4X4's, I'll look it up. After driving a few vehicles with manual brakes, I know I would not own a vehicle without them, if I purchased one without them, I would add them quickly! Just my opinion

MikeC

I have their number lying around somewhere, if you want it.

James

Sorry for not being clearer in my first post guys.
I meant that I had converted from power brakes to manual brakes.
The reason that I had to switch from power to manual brakes is because my booster would not clear my tall valve covers on my big block.
I wanted everything to look as stock as possible also.
I searched every where for a smaller booster and had no luck finding one.
I have spoken with a number of people that have manual 4 wheel disc brakes and they have no problem with them in regaurds to pedal effort.
I also like that I do not have to run vacum to my booster and will have plenty of room to get my valve cover off on the drivers side to adjust my solid rollers.

Flareside

Oh well, it looks like I was confused too. Thanks James. I was just curious, I'm perfectly content with my manual brakes. -Joe

LAvetteman

I too have no problem with manual brakes on a vette. Mine never had power brakes and its not that big of an issue. As long as your 4 wheel disc brakes are working fine it is not a problem.

427V8

Do you really believe you are gaining braking capability with power brakes?
where does this extra capability come from?

I will be removing the power assist from my car this spring, I hate power brakes, they are made for little old ladies who have a hard time walking, not for sports cars.

With power brakes the brake feel is mushy and hard to control, When I'm screaming into turn 3 at Brainard I want to be able to FEEL the brakes, I want to have to push on them so I have controll of them.


[Modified by 427V8, 1:29 PM 12/31/2001]

MikeC

Yes I actually think I am gaining more stopping ability.

I guess in your mind, I am an old lady but you can come talk to me after a few hard laps at Brainard. Its pretty amazing that most race cars have power brakes and they never complain about pedal feel.

BTW, I seem to be able to control my power brakes quite well, and find they have excellent feel.

73 LS-4

Bence, you can get tall valve covers to work with the power brakes. I had to do a little work on them to make them fit :smash: , but I did get them to clear and they still look great, you can't tell really unless I point out where I had to do the clearancing, and they are still easily removable. I wouldn't go with anything higher lift then the stock 1.7, get the lift through the cam, I believe this is less stressfull on the valvetrain then doing it through the rocker arms. I've got a pic of the valve covers on my engine if interested e-mail me I don't think you can see where I had to grind down some parts though to get them to clear but it may give you an idea.

:cheers:
Pat Kunz

groovyjay

Hey Bence I know one guy from here that did this conversion on his 1969 he goes by the name of bowtie racing(joni). You can find his web site here www.bowtie-racing.com . I'm trying to find out where I could find Brake booster with smaller diameter, I WANT TO GET RID OF THAT UGLY BULGE!!!!

Flareside

Hey Keith, how good do those Wilwood caliper work? Did they make a big difference in braking power? I could definitely see spending $400 on that instead of power brakes!

-Joe

Bob Jenkins

Groovyjay...


try these links:

Mini sized boosters:
http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/power_brake_booster.html
http://www.zigsstreetrods.com/tri5/tri5.htm


they also make a remote power brake booster:
http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/remote_booster.html


I had mentioned these to Merlin522 when he was working on his project...


:chevy

norvalwilhelm

Bence13_33 you will not have to set your valve as often as you think. I set mine every spring and don't need to touch them again until winter storage where I back the rockers off to relieve the springs. I run a stud girdle and full roller rockers and tall valve covers but they would never clear a power brake booster.
I ran manual brakes for 12 years and found then an embarrassment. I went for a one ton hydraboost from the wreckers for $50 complete and it is super. I have the ability to easily lock everything up, not saying this is good but my brakes are very powerful. I started with a setup from a 85 1/2 ton van and loved it. I switched this winter to a 94 one ton truck again for $50. These systems are very cheap used, very expensive new and very compact.
I let people test drive my blown bigblock all the time and I find pedal feel about the same as my new dodge. I am no longer apologizing for the brakes. Warning would be more like.
These are very powerful brakes. I also run the cheapest organic pads and replace them every winter. My rotors look like new after years of service.