67 brake return spring on P/B car

[Charles A.]

I have read several posts concerning the lack of a brake return spring on a power brake 67. I recently talked to an "EXPERT" who says GM would not go to the trouble to remove the spring from the pedal cluster as a car went down the line. Is there a consensus that there is no spring? If so does anyone know how that was handled on the assembly line?

[Timothy B.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

Charles,

In the J 50 section (options) of the 1967 AIM there is a different part # for the P/B bracket assembly. In section UPC 5 page A2 the bracket is also listed and I assume this is the non power brake bracket. The difference may be the spring and maybe the clevis and push rod if it's part of that assembly.

Hopefully others will post some info.

[John H.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

Charles,

In the J 50 section (options) of the 1967 AIM there is a different part # for the P/B bracket assembly. In section UPC 5 page A2 the bracket is also listed and I assume this is the non power brake bracket. The difference may be the spring and maybe the clevis and push rod if it's part of that assembly.

Hopefully others will post some info.

Charles & Tim -

Nothing was "taken apart" for a power brake car - that entire pedal support assembly was built up from scratch at St. Louis in an off-line bench subassembly, and on a J50 car, the brake pedal return spring simply was omitted, as the return function was part of the booster internals and the pedal pushrod that came as part of the booster. The J50 pedal support stamping had a different part number as received at St. Louis because the two lower firewall attaching studs were omitted at the supplier (with J50, those two lower attachments were bolts through the booster bracket lower legs and firewall and pedal support, with loose nuts on the cabin end under the dash.

[Philip C.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

Johns correct (as usual) I not sure for 67 I will check my two 67 P/B cars for you, but my 63 P/B car HAS the spring and it was un-touched. I have not noticed a pedal assy without the spring. Phil 8063

[Michael H.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

Johns correct (as usual) I not sure for 67 I will check my two 67 P/B cars for you, but my 63 P/B car HAS the spring and it was un-touched. I have not noticed a pedal assy without the spring. Phil 8063

I'm not sure if I understand how any 63 with PB could have been assembled with a spring on the brake pedal.

The bracket assembly with pedal for PB cars would not have had studs that poked through the firewall or the spring wrapped around the top of the pedal.

A PB and standard pedal assembly would not have been interchangeable on the assembly line.

[Harry S.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

My 63 P/B car did not have a return spring when I got the car. It appeared that the unit was never removed from the car. My brake lights kept staying on no matter what I did. I added the spring when I restored the unit and the brake light problem was fixed.

[Philip C.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

I'm not sure if I understand how any 63 with PB could have been assembled with a spring on the brake pedal.

The bracket assembly with pedal for PB cars would not have had studs that poked through the firewall or the spring wrapped around the top of the pedal.

A PB and standard pedal assembly would not have been interchangeable on the assembly line.

Will Mike I am SURE that my car came with the spring on the P/B bracket assy w/o studs. and I am SURE we/you will find more. Phil 8063

[Timothy B.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

We may have discussed this before, I am thinking about installing power brakes on my 67 and would like to know if it's OK to leave the spring in place and how difficult removing the two studs from the bracket assembly would be. What else is different in the P/B car, studs, spring, rear/front brake line, push rod??

Charles, I hope you don't mind my question in your post.

[Michael H.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

Will Mike I am SURE that my car came with the spring on the P/B bracket assy w/o studs. and I am SURE we/you will find more. Phil 8063

Phil,

I agree, there are a lot of cars around today that have the spring on the brake pedal. I've not seen any that have factory installed power brakes though. Anything is possible though, I suppose.

[Charles A.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

There is a 12/30/08 post entitled 67 power brakes that explains the power brake system and the actuator to solve Harry's brake light problem. John thanks for the info as always youare exactly correct.

[Michael M.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

We may have discussed this before, I am thinking about installing power brakes on my 67 and would like to know if it's OK to leave the spring in place and how difficult removing the two studs from the bracket assembly would be. What else is different in the P/B car, studs, spring, rear/front brake line, push rod??

Charles, I hope you don't mind my question in your post.

Tim,

There is a great article in Corvette Magagzine, the April 2011 issue, that shows a step by step how to conversion with some photos.

Btw, they say nothing in the article about the spring having to be removed. Not sure how they came from factory, but I imagine it would do no harm.

Mike

[Philip C.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

Phil,

I agree, there are a lot of cars around today that have the spring on the brake pedal. I've not seen any that have factory installed power brakes though. Anything is possible though, I suppose.

Mike I checked my Three 67s the one with P/B had no spring the two without P/B had the spring. I am lucky enought to have a 64 very very original P/B car that I will try to check tomorrow. I am thinking now, maybe only 63s may have the spring with and without P/B. Phil 8063

[Charles A.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

Everyone says will do not harm either way but for Judging it needs to be out.

[Philip C.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

My 63 P/B car did not have a return spring when I got the car. It appeared that the unit was never removed from the car. My brake lights kept staying on no matter what I did. I added the spring when I restored the unit and the brake light problem was fixed.

Harry what month and week was your 63 built I am going to compile a list. My April 64 P/B car doesn't have the spring. Anyone out there with a 63 with or without P/B could let us know what they have. Phil8063

[Harry S.]

Re: 67 brake return spring on P/B car

Phil, The car was built April 20th 1963. As I mentioned it did not have a spring when I got the car and it looked as if that area was never touched. I added the spring to fix my brake light problem, they stayed on.

Cheers