72 Manual Brakes

[Joe D.]

I am looking at a 72 vette with power steering and manual brakes. I did not test drive the car, my neighbor is still deciding if he wants to sell the car. The car has 22,000 original miles. Just wanted to know how they stop. Is it possible to add power brakes to a non power brake car r not worth the effort. Thanks as always for your help, Joe. Member 37862

[Dick W.]

Re: 72 Manual Brakes

We have become very acccustomed to power everything on our cars. The Vette's without PB stop very good if everything is in good order. Just a little more petal effort.

You can purchase a PB M/C and Booster, plus I believe you need the PB pushrod from the pedal to the booster and convert the car to PB. Not a major job if you are a contortionist and can stand on your head.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 Manual Brakes

If it's original and only has 22000 miles, no way I'd be adding power brakes.

As Dick states, we're used to "power everything."
My 71 has power steering and manual brakes, my 72 has manual steering and power brakes. I'll take the power steering and manual brakes ANY day, hands down.

Patrick

[Jim T.]

Re: 72 Manual Brakes

My original owner 70 has power steering and power brakes, excellent braking with small amount of brake pedal pressure. My original owner 68 has manual steering and manual brakes. Althought I know what power brakes would be like in the 68, I have only compemplated makeing it a power steering car not power brakes. Original type brake pads will give the best braking.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 72 Manual Brakes

The brakes on Corvettes have lots of problems getting them in adjustment and have tested most of us. You just need to push a little harder with no power but as far as stopping power I see no difference. Patrick is right on that power steering is needed more than power brakes.
Lyle

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Manual Brakes

Joe-----

I agree with everyone else. I don't think that power brakes are really worth adding. Having driven C3's with both standard and power brakes, I actually see little difference between the two as far as pedal effort is concerned. Power steering is a whole 'nuther matter, though.

Also, installing power brakes is seemingly simple. However, working under the dash to get the brake booster installed (whether for a conversion or just a replacement for an existing power brake car) is something that "will give rise to immense frustration". Plus, to add the power brake booster you have to accurately drill the holes for the booster so that they are in exactly the correct position in the underdash support. This is best done from the "inside out" and that's a BEAR to do.

[Joe D.]

Re: 72 Manual Brakes

Thanks for all the help. On another note am I going to have to do a lot of work if I buy this car? It has been sitting for a few years, not sure how many. As of now I do not know too much about the car except it has 22,000 original miles. It is a 72 convertible, elkhart green with saddle vynal trim, 4 speed, power steering with a/c. A neighbor of mine has it. I do not know him too well. I was talking to him one day and he told me he has the car and was thinking of selling it. I saw him today and asked him a little about the car. He would want $21,000 for the car. He said it needs brakes, one of the seats has a tear in it. He is not really a talker. Thats is about all I got out of him. I told him to let me know if he decides to sell it. He kinds of stays to himself so I did not want to bother him too much.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 Manual Brakes

Joe,

Depending on condition and other factors, the car may be Bowtie Award material.
Sounds like a reasonable price if there's no rust involved.
If you purchase it, feel free to post pictures for us to review.

Patrick

[Werner M.]

Re: 72 Manual Brakes

Hi Joe,
Plan to address a minimum of four areas that typically don't fare well when subjected to extended storage (or neglect). These include:
1)a new battery, plus service of the
2)brake system (calipers, master cylinder, rotor corrosion and often lines and hoses too),
3)cooling system (radiator, heater core and surge tank) and
4)fuel system (carburetor, lines & corrosion inside the tank).

The above is typically just the beginning--you'll likely need tires, shock absorbers, belts, hoses, ignition tune up if you plan to enjoy driving the car.----And pray that mice or other critters have never moved in while the car was stored.

Sounds like a good find, but buy with your eyes wide open.
Werner

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 Manual Brakes

I'll throw in a caveat if Werner doesn't mind.
If you start changing all of these items "just because" then you may leave behind a chance at a Bowtie. Consider going through judging before replacing "everything."

In reviewing Werner's list, when rejuvenated from 10+ years of storage my 72 had the calipers sleeved (they were the originals, and I had them painted black), tires replaced (not the originals anyway) and battery replaced, belts replaced. In addition the carb received a good cleaning and a rebuild kit.

I still have and use the original radiator, heater and radiator hoses, brake hoses, shocks, gas lines, fuel tank on the car and they function just fine. Alternately, a 72 I'm working on for a friend has almost the same mileage as mine yet I'll be installing its 4th set of calipers, new master cylinder, power steering cylinder and other parts as per Werner's list as the car didn't fare extended storage as well as mine. Already reworked the carb and replaced the gas tank.

My point is that you may want to look at the condition of the car AND your future goals with it before touching anything.

Patrick