The Ford Barn

Mr Kelly · 06-15-2017, 04:00 PM

My 1962 galaxie had the original manual brakes replaced with after market power brakes. The car seems fine around town, but if you have to stop in a hurry, not so good. I have had the system gone over by qualified mechanics and can find nothing wrong. The brakes were crappy from day one. could the problem be as simple as too small of a booster? Cany really drive the car without solving this problem Thanks.

JeffB2 · 06-15-2017, 06:25 PM

Single or dual booster ? The single diaphragm 7'' boosters do not work very well for a car the size of yours a 8" dual would be best.

frank long island · 06-15-2017, 07:19 PM

could it also be that we're all used to disks the drums wont feel as good I have noticed this on my ranchero even though it has disks on the front but a manual master

Mr Kelly · 06-15-2017, 07:24 PM

I will have to do some research on that. all I know is if I had to stop quickly, I would just plow in to someone. Cant even lock them up.. Thanks for your input.

bobss396 · 06-16-2017, 08:08 AM

I see more issues with power brake conversions. I have a front disc conversion on my Ford, no power and it stops well. I've had to make a couple of WHOA stops and it stopped nicely. Do you have room for a bigger booster? If so consider a matched master and booster from something like a '68-'72 Fairlane or LTD.

Ole Don · 06-16-2017, 11:05 AM

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Two things; one is radial tires. They are harder to lock up in my experience. Two is the asbestos has been taken out of drum lining, and the newer shoes just don't seem to do what we remembered from 40 years ago.

Chiss · 06-28-2017, 01:13 AM

Make sure you have about 18" of Vacuum @ the Booster. 7" booster's only supply about 8 to 900 P.S.I. of Pressure @ wheel. Galaxy you probably need a 1000. And be sure the Master Cyl. is set up right with Residual Valves.

Sanddoc · 06-28-2017, 11:11 PM

I installed an original "rebuilt" power booster on my 62 Ford wagon.. works great.
remember drum brakes are self energizing.
Did you go with a dual master cylinder?
If you did what Bore size are you using, smaller bore higher pressure,
You did not mention if you are running discs up front.
A booster for a Galaxie should be at least 8" dual diaphragm
with at least 18" vacuum..
one other thing you might want to check, is the break hose.. on my 62 I had taken
the break hose from my 77 Ranchero which worked fine, but one day I could not get
a good pedal, so I checked the break hose and found the driver side was gunked up...
Funny that also happen with brand new 3\16 armor brake line I had bought, it sat
in the garage for about 5 months, and when I went to use it, it was blocked up, I could
not even get a metal clothes hanger rod down it...
Good luck...

06-15-2017, 04:00 PM	#1
Mr Kelly Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 12	After market power brakes don't work well My 1962 galaxie had the original manual brakes replaced with after market power brakes. The car seems fine around town, but if you have to stop in a hurry, not so good. I have had the system gone over by qualified mechanics and can find nothing wrong. The brakes were crappy from day one. could the problem be as simple as too small of a booster? Cany really drive the car without solving this problem Thanks.

06-15-2017, 06:25 PM	#2
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: After market power brakes don't work well Single or dual booster ? The single diaphragm 7'' boosters do not work very well for a car the size of yours a 8" dual would be best.

06-15-2017, 07:19 PM	#3
frank long island Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: westbury ny Posts: 854	Re: After market power brakes don't work well could it also be that we're all used to disks the drums wont feel as good I have noticed this on my ranchero even though it has disks on the front but a manual master

06-15-2017, 07:24 PM	#4
Mr Kelly Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 12	Re: After market power brakes don't work well I will have to do some research on that. all I know is if I had to stop quickly, I would just plow in to someone. Cant even lock them up.. Thanks for your input.

06-16-2017, 08:08 AM	#5
bobss396 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 721	Re: After market power brakes don't work well I see more issues with power brake conversions. I have a front disc conversion on my Ford, no power and it stops well. I've had to make a couple of WHOA stops and it stopped nicely. Do you have room for a bigger booster? If so consider a matched master and booster from something like a '68-'72 Fairlane or LTD.

06-16-2017, 11:05 AM	#6
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: After market power brakes don't work well Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Two things; one is radial tires. They are harder to lock up in my experience. Two is the asbestos has been taken out of drum lining, and the newer shoes just don't seem to do what we remembered from 40 years ago.

06-28-2017, 01:13 AM	#7
Chiss Junior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Lancaster S.C. Posts: 11	Re: After market power brakes don't work well Make sure you have about 18" of Vacuum @ the Booster. 7" booster's only supply about 8 to 900 P.S.I. of Pressure @ wheel. Galaxy you probably need a 1000. And be sure the Master Cyl. is set up right with Residual Valves.

06-28-2017, 11:11 PM	#8
Sanddoc Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 46	Re: After market power brakes don't work well I installed an original "rebuilt" power booster on my 62 Ford wagon.. works great. remember drum brakes are self energizing. Did you go with a dual master cylinder? If you did what Bore size are you using, smaller bore higher pressure, You did not mention if you are running discs up front. A booster for a Galaxie should be at least 8" dual diaphragm with at least 18" vacuum.. one other thing you might want to check, is the break hose.. on my 62 I had taken the break hose from my 77 Ranchero which worked fine, but one day I could not get a good pedal, so I checked the break hose and found the driver side was gunked up... Funny that also happen with brand new 3\16 armor brake line I had bought, it sat in the garage for about 5 months, and when I went to use it, it was blocked up, I could not even get a metal clothes hanger rod down it... Good luck...