Hydroboost 101

[eb66to77]

I would still like to know how much rod travel (NOT PEDAL TRAVEL) it takes to actuate any hydroboost. I already have the astrovan but any would be good.
Thanks in advance.
Dennis

I would like to add to or reinforce Mr. Z. It takes little rod travel to start actuating the hydraulic booster. When i first put mine together I had the brake pedal maxed out and it was putting just a little pressure on the booster pushrod causing brake pressure and an overheat situation. My hboost pushrod moves a total of an inch and a half. You can see in the pic that there isn't much rod travel the way I have it adjusted now.

I actually think that the corvette master cylinder I am using is too large of a bore for the calipers I have. I may try upping the caliper piston size and see how that works.

 

[needabronco]

Here's some pic's of my Superduty hydroboost. I'm running the Explorer/GT40 efi with the explorer serpentine setup and pump. It stops 31"s on a dime.

 

[Crewwzin]

Gotta drag this one back up to the top.


Got all my hydroboost mounted but now I run into the problem of the astro MC being to tall. What other MC is a replacement for disk/drum setups?

Thanks guys.

 

[needabronco]

The booster itself does not dictate disk/disk or disk/drum.

The setup I'm using is disk/drum and works fine

 

[toddz69]

Gotta drag this one back up to the top.


Got all my hydroboost mounted but now I run into the problem of the astro MC being to tall. What other MC is a replacement for disk/drum setups?

Thanks guys.

Scroll down Paul's page:

http://www.hydratechbraking.com/products_old/accessories.html

and the Camaro m/c you see there should work just fine in your application. I'm assuming the Astro one you mention as being too tall is the "two tiered" one with black plastic caps?

Todd Z.

 

[Crewwzin]

Scroll down Paul's page:

http://www.hydratechbraking.com/products_old/accessories.html

and the Camaro m/c you see there should work just fine in your application. I'm assuming the Astro one you mention as being too tall is the "two tiered" one with black plastic caps?

Todd Z.

Correct. It only sticks about 2 inches above the fender.

I notice that it looks like some guys use factory Bronco MC's. Is this a viable option or am I just looking at it wrong?

 

[78Scronco]

What hi pressure hoses are you guys using? I'm using the 91 astro booster. I went to get lines made, but they just cut the ends of the astro ones and used a crappy tightening type thing to make it work with a new hose. And it cost me $100. and guess what, the first time I started it today the one blew completely apart.

 

[strokerpower]

Needabronco,
I was cruising around on the net tonight looking for the best option for installing power brakes, I already have disc but want power. I came across your pictures and am very iterested. I own a diesel repair shop and have a couple of these units laying around. I see how you mounted it up, but what about he brake rod? Is it really just a bolt up? I've got the wrecking yard rounding me up the 4x4x2 components along with a powersteering pump and bracket. As far as the power steering pump and the brake rod, can you advise me on what to expect or what I need to find? Any input would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to use what I have if I can.

 

[needabronco]

Stroke, I used a 3/16"s plate to mount the booster to the firewall, and the booster rod mounts directly to the brake pedal(the pedal sits 3/16"s lower now) and the 'adapter' bracket is 1/2" thick. I all just bolts up. I did have to wallow out the hole in the firewall but it was a simple swap.

 

[strokerpower]

O.k. that all sounds awesome. I'm going for it, it's free and I have it sitting on the floor. Next question. As said earlier I'm doing the 4x4x2 box, already have those, junk yard is still trying to find me a pump and bracket so I don't know what I'm going to end up with. Does the style of pump matter, and how did you plum everything. I know there is a pressure side, but isn't there a few returns. I'm sorry if I'm being a pain, I just don't want to do it wrong. I only like doing things once. Please coach me through this.

 

[Gummi Bear]

I bought the hydroboost line kit from PSC.

I converted everything to AN fittings, and now hoses are super easy, and I can get a replacement made in any small town should I blow one.

www.pscmotorsports.com

 

[78Scronco]

how do you crimp those fittings down on the hose? thanks

 

[Lebe]

So what is the easiest hydroboost to install in the bronco? Does the Astrovan also have a saginaw pump so you can rob the pump and all the lines too? Does this bolt on and work with the EB pedal assembly? I don't mind modifying something to work but I want to know how to do the swap properly with the easiest possable way. I saw the post in the tech articals and it was for on vehicle.
QUOTE]

easiest to swap is the 70's GM diesel pickup HB a straight bolt in. NO messing with adapting fittings (bubble to inverted flare) and if your lucky the pump and lines are there and work perfectly. A true bolt in.
Most Astro vans have a remote reservoir saginaw pump and usually wont work without a lot of work not worth the time
No Astro bolts right on, MC is the issue.
the only bolt on with MC is the one above.
TOFIC

I used Astro H-boost and MC and with fabbed firewall mounting plate it bolted right in to Explorer 5.0L in my '68 EB.

 

[fatboy]

Just subscribing to the thread as I am going to grab a hydro off an Astro van tomorrow.

 

[No Lemon]

"Here's some pic's of my Superduty hydroboost. I'm running the Explorer/GT40 efi with the explorer serpentine setup and pump. It stops 31"s on a dime."

What year Superduty is that from?

 

[MyOriginal66]

So, I had to wake this thread back up because it seems I still can't get a straight answer. I have now heard the Granada and '70's GM diesel truck hydro's are the easiest swap. Is this true? Then why are so many running the astro set-up? Looks like I have too many choices, just want what's best and easiest. Good, fast, cheap...

Anyone know where in LA I can lines fabbed?

 

[Rox Crusher]

the h-boost off of the 77 Granada I looked at mounted to the firewall and the backing plate would have created a very upward angle such that I guessed it would create hood clearance issues.

Having said that, maybe there are different versions that would work easier or maybe a simple angled bracket would offset the angle.

Most folks use Astrovan as they are so readily available and cheap.

With respect to getting lines fabbed, I just took my old lines to a Parker Hydraulics store and for about 85 bucks they made lines re-using some of the existing fittings and putting on new ones where needed.

Best upgrade I have done.

 

[toddz69]

So, I had to wake this thread back up because it seems I still can't get a straight answer. I have now heard the Granada and '70's GM diesel truck hydro's are the easiest swap. Is this true? Then why are so many running the astro set-up? Looks like I have too many choices, just want what's best and easiest. Good, fast, cheap...

Anyone know where in LA I can lines fabbed?

Get yourself an Astro booster and be done with it. They work well, they're cheap, they're plentiful, and they're fairly new. Granada boosters (identical to the Versailles units of the same vintage) are as rare as hen's teeth, and are undesirable for several reasons, in my opinion. The post above touched on some of them. As for '70s GM diesel truck hydroboosts, you're going to be looking a long tim e because GM didn't have a diesel pickup until '82, if I recall correctly . I know TOFIC likes them but again, they are't common and I don't see any advantages over a late model unit.

Todd Z.

 

[needabronco]

Diesel Superduty units are very easy to adapt also and are only a few years old compared to 10-20 or older junkyard units.

 

[ransil]

I'm putting together an Astro setup using Areoquip lines and Ford Mustang serp pump, anyone know of an adapter for the High pressure fitting to 37 deg flare??

Is there any other pump fitting I can get in the junk yard that I can replace the mustangs high pressure port fitting that will have an adapter available.