Can some quickly explain to me how an original power brake booster works with the master cylinder . Do you have to buy a special cylinder for the booster . I am considering put power brakes on my Crown Vic. Just wanted to know if it was a lot of work assuming I can find a booster that works. I have many questions . Thanks for any answers.

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

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