Avoiding Brake Failure
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 58
From: God's Country The Old Dominion
Avoiding Brake Failure
My '64 has power brakes with a single master cylinder. Can I just swap it out for a dual? Is it that easy or am I missing something? I have read the FAQ and it seems that most are upgrading to discs. I am okay with the drum set up I just don't want to buy the farm if I pop a line with a single. Thanks.
Roy
Almost forgot.. Happy 4th!
Roy
Almost forgot.. Happy 4th!
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
I would think at a minimum you'd need to change some of the brake lines.
If you have a single line coming out of your master cylinder, then that single line won't hook up to a master cylinder that needs 2 lines. You'd need front/rear lines coming out of the master cylinder in order to isolate the two braking systems (front/rear)
If you have a single line coming out of your master cylinder, then that single line won't hook up to a master cylinder that needs 2 lines. You'd need front/rear lines coming out of the master cylinder in order to isolate the two braking systems (front/rear)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 58
From: God's Country The Old Dominion
I am not sure how long I will have it. I was looking for a coupe when I found this vert but the more time I invest the more I consider keeping it. I have a '79 donor car with all of the parts for a complete conversion to disc but the drums worked fine...before I took the whole car apart.
I beleive if it's not broke then don't fix it but I want it to be safe. In any event if a coupe project becomes available I will jump on it.
I beleive if it's not broke then don't fix it but I want it to be safe. In any event if a coupe project becomes available I will jump on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 3
From: Kingston, TN
St. Jude Donor '06
Apparently the brakes worked fine for 45 years. Why change? If you have new lines they should last more than 45, the way it will be used. If you don't have new lines, this might be great idea. I had one blow on an old El Camino years ago. I avoided an accident, but it was very scary.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Scranton Pennsylvania
I had my 63 converted to a duel master cylinder last fall. The only lines that were replaced was the short section from the master to the front. They work fine. I decided to replace the front shoes yesterday. What a pain!!!. One side took three hours, The other took twenty minutes. I have to re-adjust them this morning and the hopefully we'll go for a ride.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 38
From: Massachusetts , USA,
a few years ago as a winter 
do it your self project / converted my 66 BB to 67 dual master cyliner , with power booster.................. the only line I hanged was the front & >> you can get all the parts you need from CSSB in miami , lines / blocks etc.....................I used original rear line ...However purchased a new rear line from CSSB , Didnt use it....not NCRS, but nether is converting to dual system >> for two years worrking fine.... >. 
ocassionally run the 1/4 mile on oldies day .............a great safety measure..
The Dog
" Semper Fi "
do it your self project / converted my 66 BB to 67 dual master cyliner , with power booster.................. the only line I hanged was the front & >> you can get all the parts you need from CSSB in miami , lines / blocks etc.....................I used original rear line ...However purchased a new rear line from CSSB , Didnt use it....not NCRS, but nether is converting to dual system >> for two years worrking fine.... >. ocassionally run the 1/4 mile on oldies day .............a great safety measure.. The Dog
" Semper Fi "
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 58
From: God's Country The Old Dominion
Apparently the brakes worked fine for 45 years. Why change? If you have new lines they should last more than 45, the way it will be used. If you don't have new lines, this might be great idea. I had one blow on an old El Camino years ago. I avoided an accident, but it was very scary.
The brakes work fine now. My question is regarding changing the master cylinder only as I don't want to have an experience simiular or worse to the one you describe.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,017
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
many dual systems are a farce.
TWICE i've had 1 falure and lost ALL my brakes
But, if u avoid the DOT warning switch, it can ACTUALLY WORK!
It u avoid china hoses failures r rare
TWICE i've had 1 falure and lost ALL my brakes
But, if u avoid the DOT warning switch, it can ACTUALLY WORK!
It u avoid china hoses failures r rare
