Power brake options???

So….I’m in the middle of building a 76 SWB big block truck and I want to install the power brake system before I put the dash back in…not so fast there big boy…vacuum boosters are currently made out of unobtainium. Looks like the current best option is to send this one in for rebuild….is there another option, aftermarket maybe, like wilwood or??? Thanks…

Hydroboost conversion is what I had in mind when the time came.

https://www.powerbrakeservice.net/new-1967-1988-dodge-truck-d100-w100-hydroboost-brake-booster.html

Pretty sure GJ has done a similar conversion with factory parts and probably cheaper then the $450 pbs wants?

Ouch, thanks for the info, but that’s 840 dollars after you add the correct m/c and required hoses…

I know, cost rarely deters me. That's why I suggested asking Guitar Jones about his conversion.

I put a hydroboost off a 2002 2500 Cummins, onto my 79' project with a 440. The two holes on the right fit in the factory booster bolt holes. The other 2 on the left I had to drill through the firewall. The brake pedal hooked right up. I did have to make a thin plate that fit between the hydroboost and the firewall. It pretty much covered up the 2 unused bolt holes from the original booster. You do need adapters in the hydroboost master cylinder, to go from metric to SAE.
I haven't got it all hooked up yet though. Still need to get hoses made, but I bought the hydroboost for $20, and $13 for the fitting adapters. I can't imagine the hoses being too bad for price.

On another note, I did put a 3/4 ton small diameter, double diaphragm booster on a Ramcharger years ago. Not sure if those are just as hard to find? I guess you might need one of them anyway, if your installing a RB engine, just for clearance to the valve cover. That is, if you don't go the hydroboost route.

Ya absolutely need the small diameter booster to clear 440 valve covers if you ever expect to remove them. Might be able to shoe horn it past the larger one but I doubt it and will be almost zero clearance. Swapping the 3/4 ton dual diaphragm has been the ticket for years. Ya might also look at 70s C-bodies as they ran dual diaphragms too. They should all be 4 bolt masters and not sure about the firewall bolt pattern. As far as getting one remanned, last I knew the only place for that was carid and quality was suspect at best.

Like 440 offroader I used a HB off a 2000 Cummins truck, but since mine is a diesel I couldn't use it as is because it's too long and hit the intake elbow. I made a flat plate to mount the unit to the firewall and shortened the pushrod. I used hoses and master cylinder from the 2000 truck as well as the power steering pump to get the two return nipples. You can just tee off the single though. Now I guess the ticket is to get the entire assembly off 2500 GM van, (a "G" I think) that already has the flat plate and is supposed to bolt directly to the firewall but the pushrod eye is different. This unit clocks the HB and master cylinder differently and probably needs custom hoses. Both will need M/C to proportioning valve lines made.
You can buy a reseal kit for the HB off ebay, they all take the same kit. You need a special tool to remove the pushrod though if you plan to change that. The big nut that holds the HB unit to the bracket is 1 7/8" I believe, but don't quote me on that.

Here is the clearance with a 440 and the big booster. Not much space there.

Quick correction to GJ about the return line, DO NOT T them together, both need to run to the reservoir.

A single line can't flow enough and leads to funky problems with things like self activation of the brakes.

Also, 2 bolt dual boosters are available, 85 W250 is one application. Might depend on gvw.

Many of the kits use this method as does the one posted earlier in the thread. I didn't do it on mine though. Plenty of guys on the 1st gen forums have done the same and I haven't seen any reported problems so it's news to me.

On an IH forum I'm on, people do quite a few Hydroboost swaps. Some have had problems with T fittings.

Think about this, most, maybe all, OEM applications have separate returns requiring tooling for different reservoirs. If a T was adequate they would do that instead.

Personally I'm not a fan of Hydroboost. Don't care for the pedal feel and Ford systems are awful. You lose power steering assist if you're on the brakes hard.

Oh I get it and that is why I used a hydro power steering pump on mine, I just never heard of problems with the T.
I love my hydroboost, the brakes have never worked so well on my truck. I may do the crew cab in the future too.

Booster Dewey has an excellent reputation.

https://boosterdeweyexchange.com/

Kevin

Thanks, I’ll probably give these guys a call today

Yeah I looked into him but seems crazy high. Have another place closer I'm waiting for a response quote from.