Power brakes on 64 with 440 issues?

[my5thmopar]

I read a few older threads about this and wondered if anyone found a solution? It sure looks like I'm going to have trouble finding a booster to clear the valve cover. I sold my 70 BB truck so, I don't have anything to measure. Has anyone put power brakes on an early truck with a big block? Is the position of the master on the firewall, on the early vs late trucks different? I can get the "pancake" style for the late 70s truck front disk and rear drum that might cleat the cover. I just don't know. I have about 3.75 inches between the valve cover and the firewall. It also looks like 3 inches from the edge of the valve cover to the single master. Thanks Craig

[Wildergarten]

Is the position of the master on the firewall, on the early vs late trucks different?

Don't think so. Terry would know for sure.

Mopar made a lot of smaller diameter boosters out on a long bracket for the low-hood A-body cars that might work.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Russ Ashley (RussA I think) used a smaller firewall booster that cleared his big block. That was more than 10 yrs ago so good luck finding the posts. U can also use a frame mounted vac booster under the cab. That's on my 66 D100 with the 6BT.

[my5thmopar]

I found his posts and I had already looked at the universal type boosters. That may work. I thought I read where someone used a 72 master but maybe that was manual brakes.

[jwing68]

I see you have power steering why not put in a hydra booster it is relatively easy with no clearance issues and a much cleaner look. I put one out of a chebby one ton in my 67 W100 SWB if you need any info on the subject let me know. jwing68

[my5thmopar]

I see you have power steering why not put in a hydra booster it is relatively easy with no clearance issues and a much cleaner look. I put one out of a chebby one ton in my 67 W100 SWB if you need any info on the subject let me know. jwing68

I haven’t explored alternatives but do you have a thread on here? Craig

[Conrad]

Check my build thread for pics of my booster setup from Pirate Jacks https://piratejack.net/. You might also check out the hemi-offset-style adapter from Dr. Diff http://www.doctordiff.com which will move the assembly over an inch or so.

[Wildergarten]

You might also check out the hemi-offset-style adapter from Dr. Diff http://www.doctordiff.com which will move the assembly over an inch or so.

Looks like they have a great selection. Thanks

[dodgeboykim]

I have been running an early 70's A body Dart, Valiant power booster for the last 43 years. Originally I used single master cylinder and in 1983 I upgraded to dual master cylinder braking. I custom fabricated the arm to attache to pedal from heavy flat bar. And for a year or so truck had a 440 in it. Clearance was not an issue.

phpu9lSDMAM.jpg (29.66 KiB) Viewed 1450 times

[Wildergarten]

I have been running an early 70's A body Dart, Valiant power booster for the last 43 years.

What I bought for my truck. They were cheap on eBay.

[jwing68]

Dana Hayes Hydro Booster out of a chebby one ton with over 2000 psi of boost, a good alternative for lumpy cams and low vacuum.

[jwing68]

Another view

[Wildergarten]

Another view

Gets busy with those hoses.

I can't see that a hydro boost requires much in the way of flow; it just needs static pressure. So with a setup like this (and given that it has an accumulator), can one use the PS pump to run the power steering as well? If so, is there a "distribution block" for that purpose?

[jwing68]

It is rather busy with the plumbing, you are correct about the flow and static pressure & it is run by the P/S being first in line (series) for obvious reasons so no distribution block is needed except for the two return lines. The big Merc's & Lincolns from the seventies ran the hydro booster as well having an inline filter & a small cooler. I'm surprised more Swepties don't upgrade in this way as it is a very common upgrade in the Jeep world.

[Wildergarten]

It is rather busy with the plumbing, you are correct about the flow and static pressure & it is run by the P/S being first in line (series) for obvious reasons so no distribution block is needed except for the two return lines. The big Merc's & Lincolns from the seventies ran the hydro booster as well having an inline filter & a small cooler. I'm surprised more Swepties don't upgrade in this way as it is a very common upgrade in the Jeep world.

[my5thmopar]

I thought about the hydro booster but went with vacuum. I saw a truck at the last Mopar show with electric steering and it was slick. I didn’t want to be stuck with changing both. I bought a 9 inch set up for a early Charger. I couldn’t find one for a Dart. It fits and clears the valve cover. I’ll post pix when I’m done. Craig