Okay I am kind of lost here and need your help.
I have my ‘65 442 Holiday Coupe that the previous owner dropped a non running 455 in. I am just about ready to start work on rebuilding it but now have a whole new issue I had not even considered...
While reading through a thread yesterday on "breaks", I ran across a post where the user was having problem with his brake pedal working fine while driving slow but anytime he hit it hard it would stop ˝ way and become solid no matter how hard he pushed.
Long story short the consensus of opinion was a problem with the vacuum pressure. There were several options presented one being if he wanted to stop the car safely he would have to change the "cam"…

Being a newbie I had never even considered a cam having anything to do with brakes!
Is this something I need to take in to consideration?

If so what else do I need to consider “internally” when rebuilding this that will have an effect on my end result?
Right now the car has nothing on it but I know I want to add disk brakes on all corners & power steering. Then being in Texas MAYBE A/C?
A/C is not on the horizon at this time but I know it uses a vacuum and I want to be ahead if I decide to go the route.

Thank you as always for your help.

 

A radical cam usually has a lot of overlap (intake and exhaust valves open at the same time) which affects (decreases) vacuum, especially at idle. Since the booster works off of vacuum, it can make it feel like you don't have power assist.

 

Thank you frankr442.
So as long as I dont get crazy with my cam - having enough vacuum for brakes and possibly A/C shouldn't be a problem... correct?

 

Correct. My car has a 70 455 with (according to previous owner) a W30 spec cam. I get about 7-8" vac at idle which gives me a hard pedal in stop and go driving. I think aftermarket cams list what you can expect for vacuum.

 

Thank you for the help