The Ford Barn

dean333 · 03-08-2025, 08:00 AM

Is the brake pedal different for a car with power brakes than one with regular brakes or do I just need a different push rod? Mine has automatic transmission and I’m converting to disc up front with the brake booster. Thanks. I’m using the kit from POL and the booster pushrod barely reaches the firewall, a good 4-5” from the pedal.

pistonbroke · 03-08-2025, 08:45 AM

I would ask for tech support from POL. Tim

dean333 · 03-08-2025, 09:51 AM

Tech support is almost non existent from POL. I’ve called four times and still no answer. The kit didn’t even have real instructions, just a vague six step procedure regarding disc brake install but nothing pertaining to the booster, master or proportioning valve. I’ve already spent an additional $50 at NAPA and Ace Hardware getting brass fittings to make brake lines fit.

nickthebandit · 03-08-2025, 10:09 AM

Since you are unhappy with POL, let the rest of us know so that we can be aware of their lack of customer service. The best way to deal with business's like this is to hit them where it hurts, in the pocket book. Enough bad publicity will hopefully get the message across.

dean333 · 03-08-2025, 11:05 AM

According to the factory parts book illustrations, the power brake cars have more linkage pieces involved connecting the pedal to the booster. We are going to use the original push rod and fabricate a connection to the booster end.

dean333 · 03-08-2025, 11:13 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Regarding the POL kit in general, the disc brake conversion was pretty straightforward, took about four hours. However, the proportioning valve, master and booster is a nightmare. No instructions and way too many pieces missing to do the job.

dean333 · 03-08-2025, 06:54 PM

I received an email response from POL today saying they’re sending some linkage from the booster to the pedal. We’ll see what I get.

dean333 · 03-12-2025, 04:22 AM

We ended up figuring out how to connect the brake pedal linkage to the booster using the stock linkage and a nut connector. I told POL not to send any additional parts. The sales rep tried very hard to help and readily admitted they are short staffed with sales people only and NO tech support. So be prepared to figure an install on your
own, there’s little to no instructions included in the upgrade kit.

03-08-2025, 08:00 AM	#1
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 1,041	53 Mercury Monterey disc brake upgrade Is the brake pedal different for a car with power brakes than one with regular brakes or do I just need a different push rod? Mine has automatic transmission and I’m converting to disc up front with the brake booster. Thanks. I’m using the kit from POL and the booster pushrod barely reaches the firewall, a good 4-5” from the pedal. __________________ Tim Carlig Last edited by dean333; 03-12-2025 at 04:24 AM.

03-08-2025, 08:45 AM	#2
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 714	Re: 53 Mercury Monterey rake pedal I would ask for tech support from POL. Tim

03-08-2025, 09:51 AM	#3
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 1,041	Re: 53 Mercury Monterey disc brake upgrade Tech support is almost non existent from POL. I’ve called four times and still no answer. The kit didn’t even have real instructions, just a vague six step procedure regarding disc brake install but nothing pertaining to the booster, master or proportioning valve. I’ve already spent an additional $50 at NAPA and Ace Hardware getting brass fittings to make brake lines fit. __________________ Tim Carlig Last edited by dean333; 03-12-2025 at 04:25 AM.

03-08-2025, 10:09 AM	#4
nickthebandit Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shippensburg, pa. Posts: 513	Re: 53 Mercury Monterey rake pedal Since you are unhappy with POL, let the rest of us know so that we can be aware of their lack of customer service. The best way to deal with business's like this is to hit them where it hurts, in the pocket book. Enough bad publicity will hopefully get the message across.

03-08-2025, 11:05 AM	#5
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 1,041	Re: 53 Mercury Monterey disc brake upgrade According to the factory parts book illustrations, the power brake cars have more linkage pieces involved connecting the pedal to the booster. We are going to use the original push rod and fabricate a connection to the booster end. __________________ Tim Carlig Last edited by dean333; 03-12-2025 at 04:25 AM.

03-08-2025, 11:13 AM	#6
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 1,041	Re: 53 Mercury Monterey did brake upgrade Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Regarding the POL kit in general, the disc brake conversion was pretty straightforward, took about four hours. However, the proportioning valve, master and booster is a nightmare. No instructions and way too many pieces missing to do the job. __________________ Tim Carlig Last edited by dean333; 03-12-2025 at 04:26 AM.

03-08-2025, 06:54 PM	#7
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 1,041	Re: 53 Mercury Monterey dis brake upgrade I received an email response from POL today saying they’re sending some linkage from the booster to the pedal. We’ll see what I get. __________________ Tim Carlig Last edited by dean333; 03-12-2025 at 04:27 AM.

03-12-2025, 04:22 AM	#8
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 1,041	Re: 53 Mercury Monterey disc brake upgrade We ended up figuring out how to connect the brake pedal linkage to the booster using the stock linkage and a nut connector. I told POL not to send any additional parts. The sales rep tried very hard to help and readily admitted they are short staffed with sales people only and NO tech support. So be prepared to figure an install on your own, there’s little to no instructions included in the upgrade kit. __________________ Tim Carlig Last edited by dean333; 03-12-2025 at 04:27 AM.