Adding Power brakes and Steering to 66

[Robert M.]

I would like to add power steering and power brakes to my base engine 1966 corvette. The car is very original(motor, transmission, rear end) but due to some radiation treatment I've had I am losing strength im my extremities and I would like to continue to enjoy my car by driving it and I think adding these features may extend my driving time. I would like to keep the look as much as possible to what came out of the factory including any date coding. I have never had the car judged nor do I plan to but I want a factory look as much as possible. This is not a high dollar high option car so I probably won't go through the route of purchasing original parts. I have seen many master cylinders and boosters in the various cataloges like corvette central and long island. Does anyone have any suggestions and thanks in advance. Bob.

[Gary R.]

Re: Adding Power brakes and Steering to 66

Bob, I can't help you with the brakes as far as current parts but can with the PS. You will need to get a #383 PS pitman arm for the box, a control valve, Ram, hose kit, pump & bracket. I just worked on a box for a guy on Digital Corvettes who just did this on his 68. I think he posted the info there or CF. You will reuse your box. Be sure the rag joint is not ripped or bent. They should be rigid, flat and not rotted. You can use the parts from any 63-82 vette so they shouldn't be hard to find.

[Joe L.]

Re: Adding Power brakes and Steering to 66

I would like to add power steering and power brakes to my base engine 1966 corvette. The car is very original(motor, transmission, rear end) but due to some radiation treatment I've had I am losing strength im my extremities and I would like to continue to enjoy my car by driving it and I think adding these features may extend my driving time. I would like to keep the look as much as possible to what came out of the factory including any date coding. I have never had the car judged nor do I plan to but I want a factory look as much as possible. This is not a high dollar high option car so I probably won't go through the route of purchasing original parts. I have seen many master cylinders and boosters in the various cataloges like corvette central and long island. Does anyone have any suggestions and thanks in advance. Bob.

Bob------


Power steering is an easy addition. The best, if not only, way to do it is to use an original-type system. These are easy to come-by---most of the Corvette parts vendors sell a kit which includes all the parts you need. Installing the kit is not difficult, at all.

Power brakes can be a more difficult installation. However, I've never really noticed all that much difference in pedal effort or braking performance between Corvette manual and power brakes. I don't think it's really worth the effort to retrofit power brakes.

[Robert M.]

Re: Adding Power brakes and Steering to 66

Thank both of you for your replies. Joe, yes I think I will go with a kit from corvette central, it looks like they have everything I would need to add ps. I was thinking of buying one of those master cylinder repro's made by GM restoration parts as they look very close to the original type master cylinder but at about $900 for just the master cylinder it seems over priced. Do either of you have any input on this. I will of course keep all of the original parts when I do the conversions. It seems my brakes are quite hard, that is it takes a lot of foot pressure to stop the car compared to a modern car, that's why I though pb would help but maybe they won't? Thanks again for the replies

[Joe L.]

Re: Adding Power brakes and Steering to 66

Thank both of you for your replies. Joe, yes I think I will go with a kit from corvette central, it looks like they have everything I would need to add ps. I was thinking of buying one of those master cylinder repro's made by GM restoration parts as they look very close to the original type master cylinder but at about $900 for just the master cylinder it seems over priced. Do either of you have any input on this. I will of course keep all of the original parts when I do the conversions. It seems my brakes are quite hard, that is it takes a lot of foot pressure to stop the car compared to a modern car, that's why I though pb would help but maybe they won't? Thanks again for the replies

Bob------


They sell a reproduction of the 65-66 PB master cylinder without the Delco part number and logos for quite a bit less, but it's still expensive. You can use a 1967+ master cylinder which is easy to get and inexpensive. Of course, it won't be correct.

If I were you, I'd try driving a mid-year which does have power brakes to see if the difference amounts to a benefit for you.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Adding Power brakes and Steering to 66

Bob,

I added one of those CC power steering add-on kits to my 67 base engine, and I have never regretted it. So easy to park downtown. The kits even look very original. You'll need to change or put on an add on pulley to the crankshaft. Make sure you change the steering linkage to the inner lug on the front spindles. I just love my power steering, also put on an air conditioning kit at the same time.

On a power brake addition, I never saw the need the way I drive, and am happy with the manual brakes. However, I've changed all the calipers and master cylinder after having trouble with the originals.

I think if you like to drive the car, power steering should be priority one, add-on air conditioning two, and power brakes three.
I just love my Vintage Air system.

[Robert M.]

Re: Adding Power brakes and Steering to 66

Thank you for all the help. Yes ac would be nice but I live on the coast about 20 miles south of San Francisco and the temp rarely gets to where I need ac. As the car is a convertible I drive it with the top down. Thanks for all the helps guys your input is great.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Adding Power brakes and Steering to 66

Bob,

I'm not to far from you. Up in the foothills about 100 miles east of San Francisco. Sonora, CA.
It gets a little hotter up here, as well as in the valley.

[Robert M.]

Re: Adding Power brakes and Steering to 66

It sure does Jerry. If we hit 80 at the coast it's a record. We usually hover around 65 to 72 in the summer with a fee hotter days mixed in. The good part is winter is pretty mild, usually 55 to 65.