Add Power Brakes

[Ralph E.]

Can power brakes be retrofitted into a 1967 non-power brake Corvette? It appears a lot of 1967 Corvettes have power brakes but only 4766 had that option.
Is it an easy conversion?

[Joe L.]

Re: Add Power Brakes

Ralph-----

Yes, it can be done. The conversion involves drilling holes for the booster retaining fastners and some under-dash mods to accomodate the booster installation (this is the hardest part of the whole swap). For 1967, the same master cylinder is used for both power and non-power brakes, so a new master cylinder is not required (unless you're converting to J-56 power brakes).

You will also need to change the brake lines that go from the master cylinder to the brake distribution block and pressure differential switch unit below the master cylinder.

Lastly, you will need to add the appropriate vacuum fitting to the inlet manifold port (already there and already drilled and tapped) for the brake booster vacuum line.

Notwithstanding the above, after you're done with all this, I don't really think that you'll notice a significant difference in braking effort or braking performance.

Here's my "axiom":

add power steering to non-power steering Corvette= MAJOR reduction in steering effort and much more pleasurable to drive;

add power brakes to non-power brake Corvette= not much difference in pedal effort and not much of a change in driving pleasure.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Add Power Brakes

My 71 has power steering, not power brakes.

My 72 has power brakes, not power steering.

My Dad's 72 has both, and I've replaced both on that car.

Give me power steering ANY DAY over power brakes. You couldn't pay me to install them, at least on a Shark.

Patrick

[Ralph E.]

Re: Add Power Brakes

Joe and Patrick,
Thanks for the info. The retrofit to PB sounds like a lot more work without the benefit. If I added PS to my small block 67 would it add or decrease its value? I believe the conversion to PS is very straight forward.

[Jack H.]

Re: Add Power Brakes

On the question of value, that only gets answered on the specific day you sell your car to a specific buyer....

Is PS an easy add-on. Yes, relatively. Figure the kit is going to run you somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 and there WILL be items needed beyond what's packaged in typical kits.

In my book, neither PS or PB are decided advantages on mid-year Corvettes IF you're running something close to stock wheels and tires. BIG difference on a Shark where wheels and tires got bigger!!!!!