Brake Boosters

[AMC Diplomat]

I've read a lot of threads about using K car boosters. But then I saw the prices and compared them to Tuff Stuff boosters and I'm wondering, will the Tuff Stuff boosters work? How bad could they be? Plus they come in fun colors so I won't have to paint anything.

Link: Power Brake Booster - Chrysler

 

[AMC Diplomat]

I do stupid things so you don't have to! I bought a used Right Stuff PB8531C booster out of a 69 Charger. Fingers crossed to see if this is gonna work. Feel free to tell me I've screwed up.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Well, hit a small snag. The studs are a wider diameter. Options are widen the holes on the firewall and get a new master cylinder or cut my losses and get a K car booster.

Thoughts?

 

[Duke5A]

You're going to expend way more in time and energy than what that is worth making it fit. Get a booster that fits.

Or have you thought about just going manual brakes?

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Yeah I was trying to save a buck. These chrome boosters can be had cheaper than a K car booster, but oh well. This is what I get for trying to take a short cut

 

[Camtron]

I wouldn’t mess with it. Then it would be something stupid like the brake line stripping/snapping, fitting having different threads on the master. At least you answered the question on if the challenger booster would work.
We just aren’t meant to have it cheap or easy with these cars.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

I wouldn’t mess with it. Then it would be something stupid like the brake line stripping/snapping, fitting having different threads on the master. At least you answered the question on if the challenger booster would work.
We just aren’t meant to have it cheap or easy with these cars.

I think it's 100% doable with a new master and lines. But I ordered a K car booster. The booster on the car ended up being completely shot

 

[M_Body_Coupe]

I think it's 100% doable with a new master and lines. But I ordered a K car booster. The booster on the car ended up being completely shot
View attachment 53868

I realize it's been a couple of years now since you did this, but I suspect my dual chamber booster may have gone bad and am looking for an alternative since the one I have now is no longer available.

Do you still have the part# available? Can you post please?

Anything else to prepare for in terms of doing this booster swap?

Thanks!

 

[AMC Diplomat]

I realize it's been a couple of years now since you did this, but I suspect my dual chamber booster may have gone bad and am looking for an alternative since the one I have now is no longer available.

Do you still have the part# available? Can you post please?

Anything else to prepare for in terms of doing this booster swap?

Thanks!

Link for all the info on the swap: Brake Master cylinder & booster improvement (using the K car parts)

I ended up swapping mine to a K car booster when I swapped it over to manual steering. And the smaller booster gave me room to slap these ridiculous valve covers on my 318

 

[Duke5A]

It's been ten years now since I did the BB swap. I went to an Advanced Auto and had them look up a 1978 (last year for big blocks) Dodge with a 400. Then browsed the photos until I found a booster with only two studs for the master cylinder.

 

[BudW]

I just checked the computer at O'reilly (which is where I work now):
'72-78 pickup ('78 only with 2 bolt m/c), dual diaphragm, 8.595" diameter, 2 bolt master cylinder, BrakeBest 54-73122
Note: the '79 and newer pickups only have single diaphragm. Also, not sure of fitment to FMJ's - not tried yet.

'79-81 B/R-body, dual diaphragm, 9.065", 2-bolt master cylinder, BrakeBest 54-73370.
Note: older B-body boosters will have 4-bolt master cylinders.

We are not able to get (any) C-body Boosters, so unsure of details on them.

The B/R-body booster (above) should fit without any issues.

If I was doing any work to a car with a 4-bolt cast iron master cylinder (and/or booster for the same), I would convert it to the 2-bolt aluminum master cylinder. It is drastically lighter and more trouble-free.

BudW

 

[Mikes5thAve]

I just checked the computer at O'reilly (which is where I work now):
'72-78 pickup ('78 only with 2 bolt m/c), dual diaphragm, 8.595" diameter, 2 bolt master cylinder, BrakeBest 54-73122
Note: the '79 and newer pickups only have single diaphragm. Also, not sure of fitment to FMJ's - not tried yet.

'79-81 B/R-body, dual diaphragm, 9.065", 2-bolt master cylinder, BrakeBest 54-73370.
Note: older B-body boosters will have 4-bolt master cylinders.

We are not able to get (any) C-body Boosters, so unsure of details on them.

The B/R-body booster (above) should fit without any issues.

If I was doing any work to a car with a 4-bolt cast iron master cylinder (and/or booster for the same), I would convert it to the 2-bolt aluminum master cylinder. It is drastically lighter and more trouble-free.

BudW

79 was the first year for the aluminum master cylinders so that's probably why the truck booster changed.

I've never had to replace the booster but the K car one seems to be the most common one to use to get that smaller diameter.

More and more aftermarket kits are using the mopar style master cylinder which might be a plus for us as long as there are ones out there that have the same bolt pattern on the fire wall side of it.