During my restoration i decided to convert my manual drum/drum brakes to a power disc/disc set up. I bought the kit from pirate jacks which pretty much included everything rotors, spindle, brackets, hoses, master cylinder and booster, etc. The issue im seeing is that the booster may be too big. Its almost right on top of the valve cover. If the cover ever had to be removed the booster would be right on the way. Its an 11 inch booster and i know they make smaller ones but i just want to make sure i get one that will work with my engine because i know there has to be a certain amount of vacuum for it to function properly. 400 Pontiac with 6x heads, 268 xe competion cam, 350 auto trans. Anyone been down this road before please share some knowledge.
How often will you need to take of the valve covers?
BTW, I have an 11" booster on both my 68s.
You should still be able to get the stock VC off. That's the way it was designed right? Unless you have aftermarket VCs or have changed rockers under them or any number of other things. Not sure but most all boosters should work with the same vacuum signal. If you have enough for the 11" booster then a 9" dual diaphram should work as well.
Yes they're aftermarket with a taller profile than factory. I dont ever plan on taking them off just curious if theres another alternative that would give more clearance but still produce the proper assist. Ive seen alot of the 7 or 8 in boosters on cars and was curious if they functioned as well as the bigger ones.
When building my '68 I used a 9" dual diaphragm booster and master cylinder combination from Master Power Brakes. The master failed immediately. Could not achieve a pedal when bleeding. The booster failed within one year. It was my only experience with MP Brakes but was disappointing. Switched to a Wagner master cylinder (Wilwood 4 wheel disc) and a Tuff Stuff Performance 9" dual diaphragm booster. Several years later still good. The only MP Brakes component left on the car is the booster mounting bracket.
never heard of pirate jack
I would never buy a whatever kit, buy a SSBC kit and go with stock booster/cylinder, I then used a classic industries proportioning valve because it looks and fits perfectly stock, on mine with stock chrome valve covers it appears that I have to move my booster and wiper motor assembly but I don't, aftermarket valve covers may give you a problem, only one way to tell, try taking it off
Pirate Jack is a good resource for brake stuff. Good supplier actually. Mostly jeep and 4x4 stuff. I run SSBC brakes on my car. They are good parts and I found customer service to be outstanding but they are, in my opinion, overpriced.
thanks for the info
The SSBC brake lines and front disc conv kit fit perfectly, that's worth a little more