1969 Barracuda Manual to Power Brake Question

[GR5]

Hello All,

I'm sure this has been asked and answered before but I couldn't seem to find all the information. If there is a thread, please point me to it.

Anyway, I have a '69 Barracuda with a 318 that currently has manual drum/drum. I just picked up the parts to do a KH front disc swap. I normally wouldn't worry about converting to power but my wife wants to drive this one and she'd rather have power brakes.

My question is what all do I need aside from the booster, master cylinder and proportioning valve? Are there any brackets that I would need? Anything else I'm not aware of? I want to make sure I have all the parts ready before I begin so the car isn't out of commission for too long now that it's getting warmer outside.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[1969383S]

Yes on the brackets, Refer to the FSM then ask. My opinion is you do not need it. Your wife will be happier without it if she understands these are not Porches or Mini Vans.

At a minimum you will want to install the rear hold off valve that keeps the rear from locking first, or an aftermarket proportioning valve if going to disc up front.

 

[GR5]

Yes on the brackets, Refer to the FSM then ask. My opinion is you do not need it. Your wife will be happier without it if she understands these are not Porches or Mini Vans.

Thanks for your reply.

I'm interested to know why you think she will be happier without power brakes? I understand manual brakes are simpler, but what is the downside to power brakes?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[1969383S]

It takes up space and is not all that efficient on these older cars. All my other pre 70 Mopars had manual brakes and they worked just as well as the power disc brakes on my 69 Fish. A-body cars are even tighter under the hood area. Just one opinion for what it worth so let’s see if some others chime in.

My wife thinks modern as that is what she is used to. When driving the fish she just has it it her mind it will be like her company provided 2016 fusion. It is far from it!

 

[1969383S]

If you are bent on going that way here are some pics that may help. This is a factory set-up power disc/drum with KH. You can see the hold off valve which is readily available down on The frame from the distribution block. The distribution block is the same for drum or disc. If you want the factory design then you can buy the hold off valve and bracket, the short tube to the hold off and new shorter tube back to the rear. You can also use a 71 up distribution block that has the rear hold off valve built in. It does not mount well on the 69 platform but can be made to work. I have 2 extra sets of booster brackets if you cannot find them. I have 2 boosters as well but believe they need a re-build. My BB car also has a stainless shield that covers the distribution block for heat protection but the small block cars did not get them.

 

[GR5]

Thanks for the replies. I did a little research on here and I've decided to go with manual set-up. I just ordered up a new 15/16" bore master cylinder.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[BillGrissom]

7/8" bore would give an even easier pedal. You can get those in newer 2-bolt aluminum MC's, and mount w/ an adapter plate (ebay). While many say power brakes aren't necessary, can anyone point to a new car today which doesn't use a booster (perhaps Miata, Smart Car, Fiat?). In my 65 Dart, I used 74 Dart firewall brackets, but installed a booster-MC from a newer car (99 Breeze ABS), as seen in my avatar.