I own a '64 Dynamic 88 convertible and in replacing its brake system I learned a lot about the idiosyncrasies of the brake system on this car and finding replacement components. I wanted to share this with everyone, as to help another owner if they are having issues finding brake parts. If you find an error in my post, please PM me with the correction and I will edit my entry. I want this to be a LIVING DOCUMENT so that 1964 owners can reference this when they go to look for brake parts.

Please note, this applies to the Dynamic 88, Super 88, Starfire and 98 only. The Jetstar 88 used a unique brake system, using many A-Body (Cutlass, F85) components.

Contrary to popular belief, MOST of the brake system for the Dynamic 88, Super 88, Starfire and 98 is readily available. Below is a breakdown of what I have found in my parts hunt to get my brake system in good working order:

Brake Shoes: Readily available from your local auto parts store, or from RockAuto.com. RockAuto.com shows Raybestos shoes for a very reasonable price.

Brake Drums: This I have not looked for yet, as mine are in good condition. RockAuto.com shows drums available for 98s, but not 88s. Can someone confirm if these are the same? Any info on getting new ones OR what other cars are interchangeable with the '64 drums is appreciated.

Wheel Cylinders: Readily available. My local Auto Value store stocks front wheel cylinders ($45 each) and rear wheel cylinders ($10). RockAuto.com lists front wheel cylinders for the 98, but not the 88 cars. Can someone confirm if these are the same? Most chain stores can only get the rears. Check with your local professional auto parts store (NAPA, Auto Value, Parts Plus) to see if they can order them. If you cannot find new front wheel cylinders, White Post Restorations in Pennsylvania will rebuild wheel cylinders for a nominal fee and quick turnaround

Joince Hoses: Readily available. Both my local Auto Value store and RockAuto.com list these. I have also seen them for sale on eBay as well.

Brake Lines: Inline Tube has patterns for most old American vehicles and can bend and ship lines to you. I only had to replace the master cylinder to junction block line on my vehicle, so I bought a pre-made 1/4" X 20" hose from an auto parts store and bent it to shape.

Junction Block: This I have not been able to find. Any help is appreciated.

Master Cylinder: Readily available. However, there are TWO different booster/master cylinder assemblies that were used on these cars, made from different venders to GM (Bendix and Moraine). Although the components physically will interchange, they are designed to ONLY properly work as a matched set (ie, same brand master cylinder and brake booster).

Moraine systems have a large cad-plated brake booster with ribs stamped into the front of the booster, the master cylinder has a lift-off cap that is held on by a spring bale and the outlet port faces the ground. The master cylinder looks like this. These are available rebuilt with original cores as A-1 Cardon PN 10-49202. Most chain auto parts stores list this as the brake system for an automatic transmission vehicle.

Bendix systems have a smaller, black-painted brake booster that is smooth on the front, a master cylinder that has a screw on cap and the outlet port faces the front of vehicle. The master cylinder looks like this.These are available rebuilt with original cores as A-1 Cardon PN 10-49204. Most chain auto parts stores list this as the brake system for a manual transmission vehicle, although my vehicle is an automatic with a Bendix system.

Raybestos also makes NEW replacements for both systems. The Raybestos units BOTH look like an original Moraine unit. This can cause some confusion if you are working on a Bendix-equipped vehicle that had the master cylinder replaced before with a new Raybestos MC. The Raybestos part numbers are: MC36136 for Moraine, MC36242 for Bendix

Brake Booster: To the best of my knowledge, these are not available new. I searched high and low for a new booster when mine went out. However, there are many vendors who advertise in Hemmings Motor News about rebuilding Moraine and Bendix brake boosters.

I hope this helped to clear some of the fog surrounding the 1964 full-side Oldsmobile brake system. Hopefully this helps forum members keep their Oldsmobiles on the road!

 

Thanks for the usefull information.
I am currently working on a 64 starfire but I haven't looked at the brakes yet. (they seem to work fine but I am sure they should be checked).
Did you have any luck sourcing parking brake cables? Mine are broken and need to be replaced.

 

That is good info. I need to go through my brakes again. When I did them years ago I was able to find shoes, slave cylinders, and hoses at my local auto parts store. However, I had to keep going back until they got me the right parts. Their catalogs were messed up.

 

Has anybody had problems locating a rear brake hose for a '64 98. The fronts are readily available and cheap as Kaline says, but I can't find anyone who lists rears, except Kanter, and they don't list them specifically. I wouldn't think their too different from full size Chevrolets since the rear axle is the same. Any ideas or an interchange?

 

The junction block is not a wear item so there's not a big market for replacements.

 

If you are having a hard time finding a rear jounce hose, you could have one custom-made. Detroit Flexible Metal will make custom braided stainless brake lines to any length. Check them out at http://www.hosenow.com/

 

Hate to revive an old thread, but much of this info doesn't seem to hold true when it comes to the master cylinder for the 1964 Dynamic 88. Mine has the Bendix set up (a stylistic "B" is stamped on the bottom, and the part number 618082 on the casting). It has the screw type cap and the booster matches the description above for the Bendix booster. Also, it matches the illustrations in the shop manual in figure 11-12 for the Bendix master cylinder. I can't find a rebuild kit for this, and when I search for the Raybestos part number MC36242 Amazon says this is NOT for a 1964 Olds. Also, the parts guy at NAPA also has the same notation on Raybestos part #36242. NAPA lists M49753 as the correct part. Rock Auto has MC36136, does not state whether it should be a Bendix part or the Moraine part, but it looks like the Bendix part. Rock Auto lists OEM/interchanger numbers but NOT 618082. Rock lists OEM / Interchange Numbers: 383051, 389025, 5462300, 5465254, 5465255, 5465824

Further, without stating Bendix or Moraine replacement, Rock auto lists Dorman M49202 (looks like the Bendix unit) and "Quality Built M49204 (does not look like my Bendix unit).

Summit lists the Raybestos MC36242 for the 1964 Fiesta and Jetstar, but for the Dynamic, Summit says 1965 and 1966, but if you simply search for "1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 master cylinder" at Summit, you get the Raybestos MC36136, and an AC Delco part ADO-18M1012. The AC Delco part is special order, more than a month away at Summit. The Raybestos part MC36136 is the easiest to get, and under $100.

I also see this part- Ebay, for about $400. It's tempting, as the whole unit is brand new... https://www.ebay.com/itm/17635601384...ally+Aspirated


Can anyone help sort this out?

 

I ordered the Dorman part M49202 from Rock Auto. I'll compare it to my factory Bendix part and post my opinion of it. It's $90 including shipping, and the pictures look correct- for all that's worth... https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1836&jsn=609