I installed disc brakes on my 55 sunliner but could use a booster,with the 351 that is in it now I can use most size boosters made but when I reinstall a Y block what size of booster will I be limited to.  So is there anyone with a 55 or 56 that has a modern brake booster with a Y block

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

Hello Jeff! Have a look at Ebay item #330361693194.My buddy and I purchased 2 of these kits together and saved a little on the kits and mailing cost(I am in Canada).He installed his on a 55 Customline.Fit right and works great.I have not installed mine yet as I will be installing disc brakes and will do it then.The booster is dual diaphram instead of one bigger single unit.Clears the manifolds with lots of room.The master is universal with outlets on both sides and the pedal to booster pushrod is fully adjustable for length.My buddy loves the results.Another aquaintance saw the installation and ordered one for his 54 Merc Sunvalley.Works great.You can but direct fron the seller.He accepts credit cards and is 100% reliable.Others on this site have dealt with him also.Dave McCabe-1-575-544-4729.Very helpful too if you have questions or a problem.Stands behind his product.Hope this helps!

  

Another option might be using a stock type booster and plumbing it into the front brake circuit since the fronts do most of the braking. While this gives you power brakes only to the front, it might be easier and less cumbersome than the cannister booster arrangement. Some of the TBirders use this arrangement when they go to a dual master cylinder.

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

Hey Mark,

When your buddy did this did he have drum/drum or disc/drum setup?  The way the e-bay ad reads it sounds like it would work either way, but you never know if that means "will work" or "could work with modifications".  Did he have to add a proportioning valve?  Where did he pull vaccum from on the Y-block.

I just brought home a 56 customline and brake are completely shot.  It has a single master cyliner which seems dangerous, if I'm going to replace it all, I'd like to modernize the brakes to dual resivoir power master cyliner but don't want the expense of upgrading to disc brakes.

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

I installed discs on my bird this year. I used a 79 Granada dual master cylinder. I do not use a booster as it isnt needed and I dont have a proportioning valve installed either and they work great. I drive my bird every day and have had no issues in any way with its performance.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Nate,I used the same dual power unit that Mark referred to.I got it from the man in New Mexico.It works great and was an easy install.It clears the stock exhaust manifold by about 3 inches.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

Hey 55Birdman,

Are you running disc/drum, or 4 wheel discs? I have seen the Granada/Monarch master cylinder used, and it looks right at home.

You aren't using the metering assembly? I am sure that looks MUCH cleaner. I have been wanting to swap out my non-functional factory booster for front discs and a manual master cylinder.

Thanks,

Todd in Central California...about half way between Fresno and Sacramento

1956 Thunderbird - 1960 F-100 - 1961 Starliner - 1961 Imperial

You still have the orig. size rear wheel cylinders? I notice most Bird disc kits with no prop. valve come with oversized ones.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

My buddy with the 55 is running all drums.Works very well.Fit right with NO modifications other than splitting the lines.The mounting brackets use the existing holes where the old master bolts on.He plugged the "T" on the frame where it goes to the back and used the existing line on the front.Used a joiner on the rear line to join the line from the master cylinder.He is very pleased with the way it works.My other buddy used the same one on his 54 Mercury Sunvalley(all drums) which he has been trying for years to get better brakes.Overhauled the system twice-no better.Put on the booster and it works like a dream.The adjustable prop valve that the seller offers can be used with all drums to "tweek" the system to your preference or must be used with drum/disc setup.If you phone Dave(the seller) he is very approachable and will tell you about the ins and outs.As far as vacuum source-he teed into the wiper vacuum line and it works fine.Don't forget there is a reserve vacuum built into most modern  boosters in case the motor shuts down .By the way these replacement boosters are "dual diaphram" which means you get the booster power of a larger single diaphram in the more compact size.

  

I have discs on front. Drum on rear. I have a set for the rear and will install them some day but now just on the front. I do have oversize wheel cylinders on the rear now. I used the front  wheel cylinders and put them on the rear.

55Birdman  Hickory NC