Manual vs. Power brakes.

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Clelan

Clelan

Inferno Red Duster
FABO Gold Member
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My first Duster had manual brakes and I don't remember it being a problem in the least. My current Duster has power brakes and it stops great but the booster is a huge pain in the *** when working on the motor! Has anyone switched from power to manual brakes? Do you regret it?

Cley
 
I can't answer your question specifically Cley, but our 67 cuda with factory manual sbp disc brakes, dot 5 fluid, problem free 10 years(length of time we owned it). I have spare new rotors and oem calipers on shelf if problems arise.
 
Yep, I do it to almost every old mopar I can, including some of my current cars. Means I am doing it, it means I like manual brakes.
 
I have converted many drum/drum cars to manual disc/drum with no issues. My dart stops great and I do not feel the need for a booster. The bore size of your master cylinder does have some effect on braking power so do your homework there.
 
I have manual brakes in my Duster and love it. In the context of classic Mopar vehicles, the only ones I'd consider keeping power brakes on would be a full-size pickup truck, a heavy B-body or most any C-body.

Only thing I don't like is how much longer the pedal travel is, need to lift my foot away from the gas pedal to hit the brakes which is kind of annoying trying to make good lap times on a road course but I'd still definitely rather not have power assist. I don't think my cam makes enough idle vacuum anyway lol. I might look into adjusting the brake pedal down, even in a panic stop the pedal comes nowhere near the floor pan.
 
Thanks, I have the master cylinder and push rod from my old car as I stripped it out. I think I'll give it a go.

Cley
 
I've converted a couple from power disks to manual disks, my Challenger was originally a power disk brake car. I use a 15/16" bore master cylinder, the pedal effort isn't bad and you get a lot more accurate brake feel. Even with the larger E-body the pedal effort wasn't an issue. If you use a 1-1/32" bore master cylinder though the pedal feel will be pretty hard, the 15/16" bore is the way to go.
 
Just converted my RamCharger to manual brakes for RB valve cover clearance. Brakes feel better too!
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My 67 Dart is getting power disc brakes-I have an A body Speed Control, (Cruise Control) package that is getting added also.
 
mine is disk drum manual slider braket single pot like post 73 US cars just mine are girling girlocks. Rear are 9 inch drums like 60s US or Canadian /6 Abody cars just with 4.5" pcd

I found that a brake bias for the rears really made a difference.

9 inch rear drums are tiny compared with most US cars, 60s style, duo servo, self activating, ditch finders....

they could lock up before the front were hard-on
bias helps with that..... allows fronts to work at proper disk brake caliper pressure without the back drums being full on from the get-go.

the right bore MC makes or breaks the install....
too narrow and the pedal hits the floor, or at least gives that impression, too wide and the brakes feel like the pads and shoes are made from wet wood, hard pedal, no progression and too many close encounters with the rear end of trucks.
definitly heed the advice in posts above regarding MC bore

Dave

mopar master cylinders.png
 
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