original power brakes

[Bill Jackson]

I have a 300HP 4spd SWC with original looking power brakes. The pedal pad is new. How can I tell if power brakes were factory installed? I heard that the brake pedal on regular brakes has a coiled return spring and power does not. True? Is there any difference in the pedals? Are all booster supports on the cowl rivited? I have the AIM but wanted input on how it was really done. Thanks and Merry Christmas.

[Bob R.]

Re: original power brakes

I would think it would be easy to add power brakes and difficult to tell if the correct parts are used. The booster for a 63 is a 1 year only part, the vacuum line is on the left side of the car. The master cylinder is a 1 year only part and is different then the standard brake unit.

[Bill Jackson]

Re: original power brakes

Both booster and master cylinder are correct for 63.

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: original power brakes

Bill, if you send me your email address, I'll send some photos of a 63 with factory power brakes. Also, check the date code on the MS to see how it fits with your build date. Also check the MS to see if has the extra bleed on the front engine side. If it was added someone may have used the wrong MS.

Harry

38513

[Mike M.]

Re: original power brakes

ALL the nut retainer plates i've seen were riveted. none i felt were original PB 63's had bolts retaining the nut plate to the cowl. some i've seen even lacked any speed nut retainer plate rivets but rather relied on the booster to nut plate fasteners to retain the plate. no rivets will cost points on judging field. mike

[Bill Jackson]

Re: original power brakes

The major components such as booster and MC are correct. I'll look for date codes. I'm more interested in the fine points that someone might not bother to transfer from a parts car to this one. Stuff like pedal return spring or booster mount nut plate. Is your booster leg nut plate rivited to the firewall? It may have two rivits up by the upper booster bolts. You can see them clearly with a flashlight down through the wiper grille. The major stuff looks like it has been there for many years but... who put it there? Thanks.

[Michael H.]

Re: original power brakes

Mike is correct on the rivets and they are steel rivets, not pop rivets. Not easy to duplicate.

[Bill Jackson]

Re: original power brakes

Do you really mean steel or are they aluminum like used in many other similar applications on the body? What about the coiled pedal return spring? Thanks.

[Michael H.]

Re: original power brakes

Bill,

I don't remember now if they were steel or aluminum but what I should have stated was that they were not pop rivets. They were solid, not hollow like a pop rivet. Seems like all the conversions to power brakes are done using pop rivets.

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: original power brakes

The JG, page 128, under Power Brake Booster indicates, "aluminum pan-head rivets".

Harry

38513

[Mike M.]

Re: original power brakes

harry's got it. pan head alum rivets that were peened down in wiper trans box. tought to get to but can be done. mike

[Larry Kelly]

Re: original power brakes

What about the pedal return spring? My 68 has power brakes and there is no return spring and no evidence (wear marks) that there ever was one. I am restoring the pedal assembly right now and I don't know if I should use one. My AIM does not indicate to delete the spring on a PB car.