1955 super master cylinder and brake upgrade questions

Hi All

I have 1955 super that I just replaced the front drum with disc using the scarebird conversion. http://www.scarebird.com/index.php?id=5

I started to bleed the brakes starting RRP side I'm using a pump the sucks the brake fluid out bleeder valve

I was able to get only a very small amount of fluid out of the rear brake the fluid level in the master did not lower at all.

Any ideas here should I replace the orignal master with modern boster type.

thanks for any help or idea's


Will

 

I would think about removing the air plenum on the drivers side fire wall. And, replacing it with a flat piece in order to mount a later model dual master cylinder.

Maybe I'm wrong about needing to be power brakes,(it would be my preference)

Hers a link to HAMB about a conversion on an Olds;

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243515

 

sorry was trying to post pic's of disc brake conversion

 

Thanks for the link :beer
got the brakes bled , wefix the pump we were using .

Also fyi for anyone doing this my orignal master seems to work fine I do have to stomp on peddle a bit , but she stops.

Also i had grind of the outside of the calipers as they were rubbing on the rim

Cheers now I got to fix my trans leak!!!

 

You bet.
.
Re: stomping. I' have to stomp on mine, too. With the drums.

It's very interesting to me that one is able to use the original MC for the conversion.
Does the conversion kit come with a proportioning valve

 

no it does not have a valve,

I was at the local parts store and the guy behind the counter had a kit for a 68 buick his parts list showed a valve where as mine did not.

Also i had the grind of small amount of metal off the outside coners of the calipers as they were touching the rim about 5 mins total grinding over all this was easy conversion

By the way Bham how can you tell if you have power brakes on a 55

Cheers Mate

Will

 

Nice looking setup so far. I would definitely go with a dual circuit master cylinder for safety reasons alone.

Devon

 

Manual brakes are very hard to push engine on or off.

On power brakes; The pedal will be much softer when the car is running (producing vacuum).
When the engine is off, maybe soft for two applications, then get very hard to push (NOT PRODUCING VACUUM).
Underneath the car, the master cylinder will be attached to a long cylindrical vacuum boost reservoir.

my Roadmaster brake pedal says, right on the pedal; "POWER BRAKE".

 

Great to hear this about the scarebird kit. I've been thinking about doing my 55 Century. I thought there was some other grinding that was required based on something I read. I assume you used their brackets and purchased based on Scarebirds parts list?

Thanks for the post

 

yes they give you a list of parts to buy ,pretty cheap from the local parts shop

 

I was'nt clear on whether you got a proportioning valve, or not. Here's a thread on the subject, you might find of interest;
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=217198

 

I just got new master booster and prop valve



NOw comes the fun part installing this beast.

The orginal master has start leaking so instead of rebuilding i though I would up grade.
I could have gone with another under fl set up but thought this would be better in the long run we shall see:idea2:

 

the brakes on my Roadmaster are the original set up. To have dual master cylinder might give better piece of mind.

What is the application of that master cylinder?

As far as in installing the firewall type; There's probably room, where the driver's side fresh air plenum is. Maybe, you could remove the plenum bulge. Replace it with a flat piece of steel. And, mount the master cylinder through the flat piece. (?) o No: It sure was easy to say (write), anyway.

I'll be interested to see how it turns out.

 

I called abs brakes and talked to a rep there, this set is for 55 buick he had to mix and match a few items front disc rear drums , they have an under floor system also with remote fill
I'm going to remove the plenum , a friend of mine is painter he does alot of hot rod work, anyway he has some metal i can use for the firewall and he has the tools to cut it.
I'm going to use the plenum as a template.

They forget to send the brake lines and i still have to get a brake peddle

 

I like it:TU:

 

Here's a couple of pics of my conversion. I am also eliminating the torque tube rear.
Thanks Mel

 

uploaded wrong pics sorryou:
Mel

 

looks cool Mel

I'm having to mount my master / booster a bit higher as there are power steering hoses in the way on my 55

 

Im in the process of restoring my dads 55 special and after driving this big boat im for sure putting a booster/disc brake conversion so im just curious where you got this master/booster trying to gather info and sounds like that kit is gonna be well worth it from scarebird.... thanks hopefully someone is still around since this thread is kinda old

 

got this set up from company ot of LA ca abs brakes they have an ad in drive mag

here is a link to another thread with more info http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=232991

hope this helps, make sure u get disc drum version if your going to upgrade to front disc as this has the prop valve set up. some fab work is required . read through the above link and u should be good