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

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

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 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

Read This -

http://brakeboosterrebuild.com/about/

With less and less service parts being available, you may need people who can make/fabricate what is needed and have the experience to do it correctly.

EDIT -

As a note, I imagine all types of kits were available at one time. Just like CARB KITS, some good, some not too good. It all depends on how much money you want to waste with either a quality repair or a negligible repair.

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From what I have been told and I may be wrong , but the boosters are basically the sane the mounting brackets are different . But if someone know for sure please let us know. also I have found a few places that rebuild and repair the boosters it is not cheap but its the only game in town 

tell me what the difference is. i have 1 core left and would like to know how to id the sedan type.midland dealer told me overhaul kits are the same, just not available

There is no doubt about what you say , it's the same as if I were to pull out my yblock and install a 5 liter mustang engine I am sure it would be more dependable (not the my engine has ever let me down ) but it would not be period correct . How about cutting the dashboard to install a new style radio , you could but you won't. Lots of improvements can be made to a 64 year old car. But I like to install older stuff to make the car look "right"

How well a BOOSTER SYSTEM operates is measured by final line pressure with gauges.

No, the MIDLAND, TREADLE-VAC or KH Bellows Systems will not give the line pressure as well as a later style booster or HYDRO-BOOST but will be sufficient if only a driver or restoration (IMO).

Same as an early EATON PS PUMP. The output pressure is nowhere near that of a SAGINAW. You just figure what you need and go about it in that fashion. A dedicated or period correct appearance may not be as efficient as later tech will provide.

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I do not expect to get the performance from the vintage design booster that you would get from a modern booster . But I am looking to install some period correct options . I have been assembling a power steering unit and I have been thinking about looking to put the brake booster in just to make the car more interesting. It's winter time and I am just tinkering getting ready for the spring car shows.