If you want to get a brake booster rebuilt I have a suggestion. Power Brake Exchange, San Jose CA.
Some years ago I need a booster on a 1963 Jaguar MK2 sedan rebuilt. I called and they said they could do it. I took it in
and I asked when the last time he had seen a booster like that he said they had re-built  4 or 5 of them that week. 
Excellent work but NOT CHEAP. Pete

For me age is not a concern.  Im just wondering since its all bolt on and doesn't require modifying the vehicle if its worth the cost if the improvement over manual brakes is great enough to warrant the cost.

I know I saw I think it was Mac`s or Larry`s they offer a complete power brake kit with period correct reman booster but when I looked it was like $1,200 for the kit.


1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan - 292 Y8 - Ford-O-Matic - 155,000 mi

If you don’t find the brake effort excessive, a booster isn’t going to be a big improvement in my opinion. If you’re on anywhere near stock tires and the existing brakes are good you can probably already lock the brakes. The tires are the limiting stopping factor. Modulation at lock up is kind of tough with drums, and a booster probably won’t improve that.

I had one of those power units at one point, but it was a part of a kit with a dual master, power front disc, and manual rear drums. One of the major thunderbird suppliers. It worked fine, it’s been replaced for other reasons.

I don’t find them an attractive option, either appearance wise under the hood, or for braking effort. My first 55 bird in ‘67 didn’t have power brakes and I wouldn’t have added them. But that’s just me, and what I value. I’d be replacing chrome, doing the interior, putting in an original radio converted to modern components, lot of things first. But that’s just me. It won’t hurt the car or do much if anything to change the value.

There were several times I didn’t think age was going to be a concern for me, either. Most involved cars, boats, or skiing down hill off the trails. But somehow I got lucky and I got old.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

CASCO lists a brake booster rebuild kit plus a diaphragm and pressure plate PBB cylinder (???) in their catalog.  I assume the other suppliers have them.  Should fit both the sedan and Tbird units, but if buying check to make sure.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

CASCO also has rebuilt units, but as pete said NOT CHEAP





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

strang your previous post indicated they where different,it would help the web site if one does not know, just be truth full

Well then for me its better to put the money in else where on the car then.  I haven't drive the car really other than up and down the street a bit but I have driven heavier trucks built in the late 70`s and 80`s by scrubrolet with manual disc brakes and they didn't seem excessive on the brake pedal.  Drum brakes how ever help you apply the brakes so should be less effort than disc brakes.  I think I can handle it, for me it was more of a novelty factor being able to show off to people that don't know this is how power brakes used to look.  But for $1,200 if the brake pedal is going to have about the same effort its not worth it in my opinion then to spend the money.

Tire wise I am on stock sized radial tires but once I finish my restoration I am still up in arms about if I want firestone biasply tires or the new coker American classic bias look radial tire.  Either way is going to be stock size.


1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan - 292 Y8 - Ford-O-Matic - 155,000 mi

Midland brake booster 55 Tbird

Each and every guy on here has his own opinion of what he thinks is important to him and his car. My cars paint is fine the chrome has all been redone and the interior is brand new, .and I upgraded the radio last year  I have been working on this car for about 10 years , it has taken me so long because  my family has always come first . Yes I think the brake booster is more of a novelty than a necessity but as a recently retired NYC police officer I find myself with some spare change. I think buy the time I am done I will have about 500 into the working power booster unit, and I picked up a power steering set up for 400 . So i do not think I will be  over  doing it if I  dress up a Glass top 1955 Crown Victoria. I want to thank everyone for the leads to rebuild the unit but for the most part I will be doing that myself.  .I am presently working with my neighbor restoring a 1956 Club Sedan I hope this does not take ten years because I may not be able to finish it with him . Thanks for the replies  this appears to have been a very active thread.

Of course we all have our goals and ideas for our vehicles.  Mine is to put it back as original as possible as how it was when it was new off the dealership lot.  Some of us want to upgrade, I got some upgrades in mind but they are all hidden from view such as petronix.  I thought of having my AM radio upgraded to have Bluetooth so I can run my music through the radio but think the redirad would be cheaper for me even with the wire laying visible.


1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan - 292 Y8 - Ford-O-Matic - 155,000 mi