I am getting ready to upgrade my Special's master cylinder to a 67 dual channel master cylinder, along with all new brake lines. As far as I can tell, all I need is the 67 master cylinder and a different distribution block (Where can I get one of these?). Is this all I need, or am I missing something? This is a manual 4 wheel drum car. Any help is appreciated!
I second the vote for inline tube. I just installed a full set of their lines, as well as a new booster, new master cylinder, and a new distribution block. I got the block and lines that mount the block just below the master cylinder. I just did a full install on my '66 Skylark, it was easy, and its gorgeous. Hopefully it will work good too, my car is not quite running yet.
if you don't go the "new" route finding a distrubution block off a dual M/C '67 would probally work. I saved all the parts off my '67 for when I get around to putting them on my '66.
I disagree. The single master has a single line coming out of it. If you wanted to, you could plumb that line to a wheel, and have 1 wheel drums... but a lot of people like to have at least 4 wheel drums. The factory setup plumbs that line to a distribution block that splits it into 3 outlets, left front, right front, and rear. What you need is a conversion block from Inline Tube (BLK103LP I think) that has 1 inlet and 2 outlets for the fronts, and a separate, isolated inlet and outlet for the rears. Then you would need lines from your dual master down to your block... which might come with BLK103LP, its hard to tell from the catalog. Call them, they know what is up.
A conversion kit would be the no-hassle solution. But there are alternatives. The '66-earlier rear brake line is a smaller diameter than the '67-up. If using a '67 distribution block, you need an adapter for the different sized fittings for the rear line. You could use the '66 block, plug the outlet to the rear lines, and plumb the front mc line to it for the front brakes. Then use an adapter to connect the rear mc line to the rear brake line.
This is how I did it on my '62. Not sure if the '66 still used a pressure switch for the brake lights like my '62 though. I used an adapter line from the rear port of the new master (front brakes) to the factory inlet in the distribution block. I used another adapter line, and a union, to connect the front port of the new master (rear brakes) to the factory rear brake line. I then used a 12in section of brake line, and an adapter fitting, to plumb the pressure switch into the now unused port in the distribution block, that was originally for the rear brakes. Worked like a charm!
My idea is much like the rest. I used In line tube also, good stuff. What I think I would do is get all the parts from inline tube. Just call them, tell them what you are doing, and ask what parts they recommend. Buy it all from them and it all should fit and perform correctly. Their master cylinders are new and beautiful. Mike
The '66 A-bodys used a switch on the brake pedal for the brake lights. I didn't know the older ones used a pressure switch. (Sounds complicated!) The rest of what I quoted from Andy's post will work for the conversion. We should elaborate on 'adapters'.... Andy, did you buy the 'adapter line' or make them yourself? While you can buy lengths of brake line with fittings locally, they may have the wrong size fittings (nuts) to connect to the various components. You could either: - buy adapter fittings to connect a small line fitting to a larger receptacle: line>>fitting>>adapter>>receptacle. - or buy custom fittings to match a small line to a larger receptacle.... but that requires flaring your own lines..... : line>custom fitting>receptacle. To clarify, a 'receptacle' would be (for example) the female threads in the master cylinder or distribution block that a line would screw into. The best solution for you would depend on if you can flare your own lines, or would rather spend more for ready-made parts.
Ok, since they use a pedal mounted switch, you would just need the proper sized plug to block off the rear port in the distribution block. I purchased the adapter lines, one 9/16 x 7/16 and one 5/16 x 3/8. I ended up using the fittings from the 9/16 x 7/16 adapter line and bending up my own line as it wasn't quite long enough, and I used the other line as is.
