1955 super master cylinder and brake upgrade questions

[nineteenfifty5]

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



http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/baker1972/new%20stuff/newshoesfortheoldgirl003.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/baker1972/new%20stuff/newshoesfortheoldgirl001.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/baker1972/new%20stuff/newshoesfortheoldgirl002.jpg

[bhambulldog]

You've posted two pictures of the steering box. Are those the pictures you intended to post?

Does your Super have Power brakes? I wouldn't want to try a disk brake conversion on the old master cylinder if weren't a power master cylinder.

[bhambulldog]

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

[nineteenfifty5]

You've posted two pictures of the steering box. Are those the pictures you intended to post?

Does your Super have Power brakes? I wouldn't want to try a disk brake conversion on the old master cylinder if weren't a power master cylinder.
sorry was trying to post pic's of disc brake conversion

[nineteenfifty5]

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


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!!!

[bhambulldog]

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.


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

[nineteenfifty5]

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

[DaWildcat]

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

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

Devon

[bhambulldog]

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
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".

[JerseyBob]

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

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

[nineteenfifty5]

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

[bhambulldog]

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.


Will
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

[nineteenfifty5]

I just got new master booster and prop valve

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/baker1972/new%20stuff/55buickspringandmaster010.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/baker1972/new%20stuff/55buickspringandmaster008.jpg
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:

[bhambulldog]

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. (?) :Do No: It sure was easy to say (write), anyway.

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

[nineteenfifty5]

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. (?) :Do 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

[bhambulldog]

I like it:TU:

[bluebuick]

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

[bluebuick]

uploaded wrong pics sorry:Dou:
Mel

[nineteenfifty5]

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

[gduarte]

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

[nineteenfifty5]

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

[kyle56]

where did you get the master/booster from for how much and what the item number if you could provide that id appreciate it and if you could also post pictures of the final location you put it thanks

[nineteenfifty5]

where did you get the master/booster from for how much and what the item number if you could provide that id appreciate it and if you could also post pictures of the final location you put it thanks


Hi Kyle

check this link as it as the info you need, http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=232991
there web site has prices but the best bet is call them and explain what you want to do . these guys where super helpfull, they had to mix and match for me as the 55 was a bit dirfferent, you can under floor with full dual master booster with remote fill, or firewall or even under dash it's up to you ,again depending on which way u go some fab may be required. i went with fire wall mount as u will see in the above link.

hope this helps

cheers Will