Master cylinder on 68-74 nova

FLEMING · 08-30-2010, 08:54 AM

What master cylinder are you guys using? Stock?Aftermarket??? My car currently has 4 wheel drums and I am planning to go all disk, or atleast the rear brakes.. I have never been able to get a good pedal in this car even after trying multiple master cylinders.. My dads camaro is 4 wheel drums and it has killer brakes on it.. I am putting all new brake lines, proportioning valve(after market) so hopefully a good pedal will follow.. LOL

Jim Kaekel · 08-30-2010, 10:52 AM

If the car originally had power brakes, be sure that the master cylinder rod is connected to the upper hole in the brake pedal. It makes a significant difference in pedal ratio and is commonly missed when power-to-manual conversions are performed. I've got 4-wheel drums on my car and they do a very good job as well.

Alan Roehrich · 08-30-2010, 10:58 AM

If I were putting disc brakes on one end, it would be the front, not the rear.

We used to use the early S-10 quick take up aluminum master cylinder very successfully. You have to have the ability to put metric fittings on your lines, or find the correct adapters. I used a Wilwood adjustable proportioning valve.

By all means, make sure to positively retain the brake pedal to master cylinder pushrod. Do not run it with excessive slack trying to reduce drag, it doesn't really help, and it will only cause an accident later. I suggest a nylock style jam nut on the adjuster.

Run to Rund · 08-30-2010, 12:00 PM

Also be very sure to use the factory cup shaped retainer (or equivalent) at the back of the master cylinder which fits into a groove around the perimeter of the hole, and can't go through the firewall. It retains the pushrod positively. See the thread on Ken Etter.

SCOTT SST2871 · 08-30-2010, 01:07 PM

I use the chrysler style alum m/c with the plastic reservoir on my 71'.had to drill mounting holes larger and it slid onto the factory studs and i used my factory pushrod
scott fifield

Alan Roehrich · 08-30-2010, 02:06 PM

How tight do you have the shoes set?

If you have the shoes backed off to get the drag reduced, you'll have a fair pedal drop before you get a firm pedal.

FLEMING · 08-30-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Kaekel

If the car originally had power brakes, be sure that the master cylinder rod is connected to the upper hole in the brake pedal. It makes a significant difference in pedal ratio and is commonly missed when power-to-manual conversions are performed. I've got 4-wheel drums on my car and they do a very good job as well.

I havent touched the brake pedal hole, makes me wonder if this is my problem, the pedal goes way down before it starts getting stiff (almost like the rod sits away from the master cylinder) it goes over halfway down before I get a pedal.. I will look at this next time I am out in the shop.. The car has always been manual brakes since I have owned it...

Eddies66 · 08-30-2010, 04:55 PM

Are you using a portioning valve and a residual valve? I use a 2 lb residual valve on the back brakes. The pedal situation will go away.

08-30-2010, 08:54 AM	#1
FLEMING Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 257 Likes: 43 Liked 51 Times in 22 Posts	Master cylinder on 68-74 nova What master cylinder are you guys using? Stock?Aftermarket??? My car currently has 4 wheel drums and I am planning to go all disk, or atleast the rear brakes.. I have never been able to get a good pedal in this car even after trying multiple master cylinders.. My dads camaro is 4 wheel drums and it has killer brakes on it.. I am putting all new brake lines, proportioning valve(after market) so hopefully a good pedal will follow.. LOL

08-30-2010, 10:52 AM	#2
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,226 Likes: 131 Liked 529 Times in 107 Posts	Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova If the car originally had power brakes, be sure that the master cylinder rod is connected to the upper hole in the brake pedal. It makes a significant difference in pedal ratio and is commonly missed when power-to-manual conversions are performed. I've got 4-wheel drums on my car and they do a very good job as well. __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

08-30-2010, 10:58 AM	#3
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1,487 Liked 1,630 Times in 378 Posts	Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova If I were putting disc brakes on one end, it would be the front, not the rear. We used to use the early S-10 quick take up aluminum master cylinder very successfully. You have to have the ability to put metric fittings on your lines, or find the correct adapters. I used a Wilwood adjustable proportioning valve. By all means, make sure to positively retain the brake pedal to master cylinder pushrod. Do not run it with excessive slack trying to reduce drag, it doesn't really help, and it will only cause an accident later. I suggest a nylock style jam nut on the adjuster. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

08-30-2010, 12:00 PM	#4
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 583 Likes: 8 Liked 54 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova Also be very sure to use the factory cup shaped retainer (or equivalent) at the back of the master cylinder which fits into a groove around the perimeter of the hole, and can't go through the firewall. It retains the pushrod positively. See the thread on Ken Etter.

08-30-2010, 01:07 PM	#5
SCOTT SST2871 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PORT ST JOHN FLORIDA Posts: 226 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova I use the chrysler style alum m/c with the plastic reservoir on my 71'.had to drill mounting holes larger and it slid onto the factory studs and i used my factory pushrod scott fifield

08-30-2010, 02:06 PM	#6
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1,487 Liked 1,630 Times in 378 Posts	Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova How tight do you have the shoes set? If you have the shoes backed off to get the drag reduced, you'll have a fair pedal drop before you get a firm pedal. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

08-30-2010, 04:55 PM	#8
Eddies66 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Rancho Mirage, CA Posts: 1,308 Likes: 300 Liked 881 Times in 452 Posts	Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova Are you using a portioning valve and a residual valve? I use a 2 lb residual valve on the back brakes. The pedal situation will go away.