Hydroboost Saga

[Kansas Corey]

This is my hydroboost saga so far. I thought I would share my experience to date and ask for any suggestions you might have. In the pictures, all of the hoses and spark plug wires are removed to make working easier.

I grabbed a hydroboost unit from a 1990 Chevy Astro (also took the master cylinder and proportioning valve). Very typical, flat mounting plate. I had to flip the unit 180 degrees due to clearance issues between the valve covers and external accumulator on the hydroboost. Now is a good time to mention that the 302 was professionally rebuilt before I purchased the Bronco – not sure if the new valve covers are taller than the originals, but it posed a problem. Even after I flipped the unit, the clearance concerned me. The high pressure hose coming in from the steering pump was dangerously close to the valve cover (within ½”). I went ahead and set it up like this for a little while. The brakes were absolutely amazing, but I couldn’t quit thinking about how hot that high pressure hose was getting.

 

[Kansas Corey]

Hydroboost Saga (cont)

Wanting to improve my setup, I did as much research as I could and then headed back out and found another hydroboost unit – this time with the angled bracket. The bracket originally pointed the unit down. I removed the bracket and tried to rotate it, but it would not clear the main body of the hydroboost unit. Thinking outside of the box, I knocked the studs loose from the bracket, flipped it backwards, pounded the studs back in (facing the opposite direction this time) and then reattached the bracket to the hydroboost. Thought I was pretty fancy at this point. After drilling 4 new holes, I got it mounted to the firewall. (Bunge is just to hold in place for photo)

 

[Kansas Corey]

Hydroboost Saga (cont-2)

And now the problem…... The push rod (sorry don’t know the name) that pushes on the hydroboost is now angled. I can not figure out how to go from the angled rod to the straight point where it would attach to the brake pedal.

I have decided to bite the bullet, admit defeat, spend the money, and order a bracket so that I can mount mine like this (unless someone can come to my rescue with any solutions):

 

[Kansas Corey]

Hydroboost Saga (cont-3)

With all of that said, unless someone has a suggestion on how to address the difference on angles between the hydroboost and the brake pedal, I am going to sell the hydroboost with angled bracket. The push rod has been cut and threaded already. I also have a brand new remanufactured 1977 Corvette master cylinder from CarQuest that goes with it. I will post in the Parts For Sale section within the next couple of days.

Just to clarify - the purpose of this thread is not to advertise the parts. My preference would be to keep the hydroboost unit with the angled bracket, but I really need some help. I am extremely tired of messing around with this project and just want the thing back together so that I can drive it (and park my daily driver back in the garage).

Corey

 

[JKrieg70]

I could be wrong on this, wouldnt be the first time. But I wouldnt think that the heat coming off the valve covers would be that bad. Maybe if the lines were really close the the exhaust manifolds I would have a little more concern. Ill be interested to see what others have to say, seeing as how I am running a similar setup.

 

[TOFIC]

MAN if it wasn't for bad luck you would be having no luck at all.
Let me address a few of your concerns.
Angled bracket, contact MadGyver he is THE man with Astro boosters and angled brackets. If he has done 10 he has done a thousand.
As to the flipped straight connection what was your concern?? I ran that one for almost two years without a single problem. My line near the valve cover (yea, half inch was about right) got warm but that was it. Never effected the brakes. Passed inspection at least twice before I altered it.
The alteration was to move the Hboost owver into the clutch location and hang a wide brake pedal on the Bronc. Works great and several guys have done or are doing this mod. I just posted another thread about this mod that someone else did.
Again dont be afraid of the real close pressure line and contact MadGyver for the angled bracket problem. Contact me if you questions about the Hboost move or the unit being close to the valve cover. We can fix this problem no sweat.
TOFIC

 

[bigmuddy]

hydroboost saga

Do a search for Madgyver or TOFIC or both and see what they have done to gain clearance and use one or the other. The easiest way to gain clearance with the straight bracket is to move it over into the clutch position and then find an old angled and big pedaled brake pedal from a 77-79 lincoln and put it on the clutch side of the brake/clutch rod. I beleive TOFIC came up with the idea and has some pics posted on here somewhere. By the way, what year and make of auto did you get the angled bracket? Been looking for one myself.

 

[72Sport]

By the way, what year and make of auto did you get the angled bracket? Been looking for one myself.[/QUOTE]

Looks like a modified Duffs bracket. It looks like it has Duff stamped in the top center of the bracket near the bend where the booster is mounted. It can been seen in both pictures.

 

[Kansas Corey]

Big Muddy - By the way, what year and make of auto did you get the angled bracket? Been looking for one myself

So far I have pulled a hydroboost unit from 2 different Chevy Astro vans.

The first was a 1990 with flat bracket.
The second was an unknown year with the angled bracket.

I got so excited about haggling with the guy over price (he started at $105 for just the hydroboost unit - no MC or hoses) that I forgot to look at the VIN number. If I had to guess, probably about a 1993. Only paid $30 in the end and got one high pressure hose.

 

[Madgyver]

Kansas Corey,
If you still got that angled bracket and you're not going to use it I'll buy it from you. Please let me know.
madgyver

 

[Kansas Corey]

Thought I should mention that my Bronco still has the 3 speed manual, just has a Hurst floor shifter. Means I can not move to the big wide pedal :'(

Madgyver - will have to get back to you - I would really like to use it myself

 

[bigmuddy]

I meant what year and make of vehicle did you get the angled hydroboost bracket from? Not the apparent Duff bracket.

Ben

 

[bmc69]

I'm using the Duff bracket witha '77 Lincoln hboost setup. I cut the MC pushrod off and threaded it for a 3/8" Heim joint to mate up to the 'Z' bar on the bracket crank assy. I didn't have much choice..even with a 2" body lift, the bracket barely clears the valve cover on the 408...

I also had to add two pieces of angle to make the bracket face deep enough to handle that long Lincon hboost unit.

 

[Kansas Corey]

Thanks BMC69 - this is probably the direction I am going to have to go. I am going to give this process until next Sunday evening. At that point either it will work or I am going to order the Duff bracket.

 

[Madgyver]

Angled Bracket
Madgyver - will have to get back to you - I would really like to use it myself

If you're going to use it this is how I did it with the angled bracket.........

 

[TOFIC]

Pictures of the moved booster. This is sitting in a engine bay with a 351. The Heep in the background was NOT my Broncos fault!! HONEST Officer!

 

[SACHEM]

3rd attempted post

Ok, I'll try this again. I noticed this in the salvage yard yesterday. I thought that if it was flipped you could possibly use the bracket. It was too cold out there to pull it yesterday and it's snowing today. Does anyone see any obvious reason why this bracket wouldn't work?

 

[SaddleUp]

Ok, I'll try this again. I noticed this in the salvage yard yesterday. I thought that if it was flipped you could possibly use the bracket. It was too cold out there to pull it yesterday and it's snowing today. Does anyone see any obvious reason why this bracket wouldn't work?

2 possible problems I can see. 1st. is that this may interfere with the steering and tranny linkage. Second is that I think the entire unit will be too long to fit without hitting the outer fender.