Master cyl question - 54 Super

[RoadMonster55]

Hi, my 54 Super has new cylinders and shoes now, which seem more than adequate, but has power brakes which definately are NOT adequate. The old master cyl seems to work but stopping is SCARY (brakes are all adjusted). I think the treadle, tredle (?) vac is shot. The backup pump/booster in the engine bay is long since bypassed from the looks of things as well (people have told me this system was junk when it was new anyways). What would be a good upgrade to this system? I'd like to keep the drums as they're in great shape. Any suggestions for better, safer stopping? :Do No:

[Aaron65]

You could always find a manual brake parts car and convert it over. You may be able to find the correct parts to make the switch. I'm not sure everything that would be involved because all my cars have the manual brakes, but if nobody can help you here, you may try jetting over to buickclub.org or buicks.com...they deal more with the older cars. I imagine the master cylinder would be different, but the manual brakes worked fine...

[DualQuad55]

Old drum brakes can be difficult to get working to your own satisfaction. All the new parts are a good start. Also make sure the drums have not been resurfaced too many times or too much. If your drums inner diameter is more than recommended (cast into drum) or close to maximum, they can leave poor pedal feel. Also if part of the power setup is not functioning correctly or at all pedal feel will suffer.
In my 55 Special I rebuilt everything using the stock non-power assist master cyl, all new shoes/cylinders, hard ware but then adapted slightly later 45 fin drums to it to reduce brake fade caused by excessive heat. the pedal is nice and high, does not fade and the car stops very well.
If you are not concerned with having power assist, I would look into a non-power master cyl and just go with straight drum brakes. If adjusted properly, this should do you well. If your drums are oversized, new drums should be installed.

[RoadMonster55]

Thanks for the replies. The drums are in great shape and looked like they hadnt been turned from that I can tell. The car had been off the road for many years and the brakes looked largely untouched. So which non-power master cylinder setup would be best for this car? Thanks again! :TU:

[DualQuad55]

I just use he factory master for my 55 Special. It works ok but would be safer if it had a 'dual' resevoir master cylinder from a later style car.

[Airy Cat]

You can't tell how much a brake drum has been turned unless you measure the interior diameter with a drum micrometer. All good auto shops will mic them for you.

[DualQuad55]

AiryCat is right, brake drums should be measured to know if they are within specs. But like many things, if you do it enough you can get a good idea visually about what condition things are in. After a while, you can tell if there is enough 'meat' left to cut or if the drums are near their maximum diameter by looking at them. The newer cars are harder to judge because they don't give as much material to start with.

AiryCat, how are things in Mariposa? My wife and I stayed there one night a few years back on our way to Yosemite. I would not have thought there were any 'car guys' there. We stayed on the main road through at a well known hotel franchise ( I forget which one), the little town was nice but did not look to have much activity going on. We never ventured off the main road though. Some pics of your cars in Yosemite would be nice :TU:

[RoadMonster55]

Excuse my bumping such an old post, I havent worked on my car in some time and am getting back to it now. Basicailly what I want to do at this point is convert to disk brakes and replace the master with something safer, dual circuit and more functional. I have looked on alot of sites with no luck so far, as well as searched this one. Has anyone done this on this year and model? I find alot of sets for Chevies and such but nothing for this year and model. I appreciate any help I can get here!

[DUTCH WILDCAT]

http://www.scarebird.com (http://www.scarebird.com/6928.html)