C-1's w/Power Brakes?

[Stuart F.]

Are there any C-1 Vettes that had factory power brake boosters? Reason I ask is that in looking through my brass carb fitting can I came across one assembly I have had for years just filing up my can. It is a two piece brass/steel unit that is meant for the rear of probably a Rochester 4GC (least wise that was my primary field of tinkering back in the day). The brass portion that threads into the back of the carb has one large male threaded portion to accept a steel P.B. check valve assembly. The other end of the brass fitting is a vacuum hose spud about 1/4" in diameter. Any one know of a Vette (or other) application that might make this a good E-Bay or trade item?

Stu Fox

[Mike M.]

Re: C-1's w/Power Brakes?

no c-1's left st louis with power brakes. mike

[Stuart F.]

Re: C-1's w/Power Brakes?

Mike;

That's what I figured as I know I never worked on any with P.B.. I bet this is probably from a pre-63 Chevy of some sort, or Pontiac. Whatever, if it rings a bell with someone on the board they are welcome to it. I've kept it now for 50 or so years thinking I'd find a use for it like with power brakes or a vacuum tank for some purpose. They don't make vacuum powered air horns, do they, Ha!

Stu Fox

[Michael D.]

Re: C-1's w/Power Brakes?

No C1s with power steering either, for that matter.

[Tom P.]

Re: C-1's w/Power Brakes?

As an added note, the Sebring prepared 57 Vettes were equiped with power brakes (probably installed by SEDCO).
As I understand it, the stock master cylinder fed into a booster that was mounted low on the left side, above the left splash pan. The booster was also supplied with manifold vacuum from the engine.
There was a former member who still owns a 55 Vette with a very similar power brake setup and as I understand (I've never driven his car) the pwr increase is quite noticeable.
This type of aftermarket, add-on pwr bk setup USED to be quite commonly installed on older cars and often on street rods. I once saw a knock out gorgeous 57 Cameo that was more or less pure stock which had this type of pwr bk setup added and the owner claimed it was a factory option. I don't think so! But it was certainly first class in appearance. This same Cameo also had a generator powered power steering setup that could easily have passed for factory.

[Stuart F.]

Re: C-1's w/Power Brakes?

Tom;

Guess then I should hang onto this brass fitting and check valve assembly, at least until I find out where it came from. I did work on a 56 Vette for a while that was supposed to be a factory race car, and at that time (1958), it had a 301 C.I. in it. The cam was awfully rough too, as I recall as It gave me fits setting up the dual quads which were the air idle screw type. It seemed a lot of parts had been removed from it (clean mounting holes) even at that time. The body had a lot of rough seams and cracks in it (ugly fadded red/orange color) and I just assumed that that was the nature of the early fiberglass bodies or of a car that had seen a lot of abuse at the young and tender age of 2. The thing had glasspacks on it and the quick steering, metal brakes and a tall gear in it. It was a real hand full to test drive. I got it running pretty good, and then the friend that I worked on it for sold it so I lost touch with it.

You know you may have just hit on something; I may have just removed it from the back of the rear WCFB as it was capped off and really in the way for distributor work. I'll have to think on that one.

Thanks;

Stu Fox

[Jim L.]

Re: C-1's w/Power Brakes?

As an added note, the Sebring prepared 57 Vettes were equiped with power brakes (probably installed by SEDCO).
As I understand it, the stock master cylinder fed into a booster that was mounted low on the left side, above the left splash pan. The booster was also supplied with manifold vacuum from the engine.
I once saw a knock out gorgeous 57 Cameo that was more or less pure stock which had this type of pwr bk setup added and the owner claimed it was a factory option.

That owner was correct.

In '57 RPO 412 got you power brakes on full size Chebbies.

If you ordered an automatic transmission also, you got the kind of booster we are all used to seeing, one that sits between the firewall and the master cylinder.

However, if you were content with a manual transmission, you got the kind of booster you described, Tom. It mounted on the firewall beside the master cylinder and kept the brake pedal at the same height as the clutch pedal.

This is what the booster looks like:



I believe this kind of booster went by the marketing name "Hydrovac" whereas the booster used with automatic transmissions was known as "Treadlevac".

Jim

[Tom P.]

Re: C-1's w/Power Brakes?

So Jim, was pwr bks actually available on a 57 pickup? That Cameo was the ONLY pickup (of that era) that I've ever seen with pwr bks and pwr steering. I've never seen an RPO list for 50s pickups.

[Gary C.]

Re: C-1's w/Power Brakes?

Tom,

Jim's correct about the 2 different types of power brakes for '57.

Will check my '57 truck shop manual later today and let you know.

Attached are descriptions from the passenger car shop manual.

Gary
....

[Stuart F.]

Re: C-1's w/Power Brakes?

Ods are the brass fitting and check valve assembly I have is from a 57 passenger vehicle or truck. I sure worked on a lot more of them than I did exotic early Corvettes.

Well, if anyone needs such an item. Igot one in my can and it looks good as new.

Stu Fox

[Jim L.]

Re: C-1's w/Power Brakes?

So Jim, was pwr bks actually available on a 57 pickup? That Cameo was the ONLY pickup (of that era) that I've ever seen with pwr bks and pwr steering. I've never seen an RPO list for 50s pickups.

According to my '57 truck shop manual, Hydrovac power brakes were standard on 2 ton and 2-1/2 ton trucks and optional on all other trucks.

Power steering was also available but the shop manual doesn't indicate which models on which it was standard or optional.

Jim