My power brake unit is failing on my 57 olds. I just had it rebuilt 4 years ago, it cost me $500 dollars. I am debating whether to rebuild it or replace it with a conversion

 

$500 4 years ago? You got ripped off. If the unit is actually bad, send it to Ed Strain in Florida to be rebuilt. He is listed in Hemings, along with other publications

 

Thanks for the info

 

"Treacle vac"?

You mean one of these?



- Eric

 

I had the one on my 54 rebuilt by Karps in Upland, CA. I have been very satisfied. It was about $500-$550. Jeff is a good guy and has been in the business a long time. Here is the link.

http://karpspb.com/

 

thank you

 

I got rid of mine even after having it rebuilt and not being happy with the brakes. Plus I like the belts and braces idea of a dual master cylinder. Of course if you're going full points resto that won't work. But I also know I drive my car everyday, so my near misses are multiplied beyond just a Sunday cruise.

G body assemblies will work, again , not stock but guess it depends on how well you want to stop.

 

Drop that unit go with Power disc brakes. Don't ask me why?????????

 

I drive mine all over the Western US and Canada with no issues that would make me change to disks. No doubt disks are a better system or the auto industries wouldn't have changed to it but mine are set up to slide the wheels if I have to in a panic stop. That's good enough for me, it's a classic not a Honda cevic.... Tedd

 

Thanks, no full points resto, I drive her once a week and enjoy it. They are made to be driven

 

hi i just went thu this this last year. Had a guy up in Sacramento area rebuilt it.. did not hold up ,was leaking so i took it apart, and found it was a Bad rebuilt.
ended up installing a under floor master n booster,w remote res.
got the idea here..Olds Dad under floor power brakes 1955..
w disk brakes kit from Scarbird
system works very good

 

Thanks, I am going to switch over as well.

 

check out the conversion I did, just search my name for posts ( not that many ) on the engine swap I did, I showed what I did there. I've seen underfloor units, but the idea of bleeding them etc I didn't like ( each to their own) My car as I said previously is a daily driver so I can say the swap works well.


I actually have drum brakes soon, I've just had a scarebird disc setup finally sorted out as it didn't fit like it should, so in the next month or two I will put that on too. Given the nuts traffic I encountered when in CA last year I can understand wanting better brakes.