Who has an aftermarket brake booster?

[1969_Mach1 333]

16 hours ago, 69Mach1_EdJ said:

Thanks rwcstang.  That was an interesting video.  My first thoughts would be to keep the Bendix.  But since I installed the aftermarket Borgeson PS box, which caused me to get the modified z-bar to fit over the steering box, it seems like the Bendix booster may be interfering with the top of the z-bar.  Seems once you modify anything, it is a cascade effect to everything else around it.   Good argument to staying completely stock I suppose.  I did see someone I think it was Machman in a post that seemed to have my same configuration that modified the z-bar again to get it to fit.    I might be able to do that but it is really tight in there.  However, the idea of putting a shorter booster like the Tuff Stuff model 2225NB may fix the clearance  to  the z-bar, with the added benefit of being able to remove the master cylinder without interference to the shock tower.  Might be a nice fix.  Still not sure if the 9 inch Booster would interfere with the clutch linkage rod from the clutch pedal to z-bar.  Anybody else out there with any thoughts on this? 

Thanks,

Ed

 

My 69 Mach 1 with a 351W has the original Bendix booster, 4sp trans, and a Borgeson power steering box.  The original Z-bar swings a little bit under the brake booster when the pedal is up.  Once you modify the Z-bar to fit over the Borgeson power steering box it will usually hit the Bendix brake booster.  I had to also modify (lengthen) the rod from the Z-bar to the pedal a little so the modified Z-bar would not need to swing under the Bendix booster.  I was a little concerned about altering the range the Z-bar would rotate in, but the clutch works fine and pedal feels the same as before.

I see now that Opentracker Racing sells modified Z-bars for the Borgeson conversion on 4sp cars.  Whether it interferes with the Bendix brake booster I don't know. 

All-in-all, if I had to do this conversion again on a 4sp car with power brakes, I would leave the stock steering box in it and live with no power steering. 

[69Mach1_EdJ 0]

Dave R. , I'll keep PBBE in mind.  I think because of my configuration I would need to do a slight mod to the z-bar to use the stock Bendix.  It's really tight in there.  1969_Mach1 stated above how he had to mod his to get it to fit.  Today I had some time to do some more internet reading and car measurements.  I'm starting to think that the dimensions of the Tuff Stuff 2225NB could actually work.  Rsanter in earlier posts said he put in one like the Boss 429 booster and it fit well.  From what I can read I think that 2225NB is about the same as the Boss 429 booster.  It's a 9 inch booster (wide) but only 3.75 inches long.  This would put the master cylinder almost 3 inches further back towards the firewall.  If nothing else, I would think I could pull the MC without having to remove the driver's seat, lay on my back and remove the booster nuts under the dash and then try to pry the booster to angle the MC so it can clear the shock tower!  I must have replaced the MC 4 times over the years and it has never been any fun.   I'm wondering if anybody here can jump in if they have any experience or knowledge with replacing the brake booster with those 9 inch Boss 429 style ones like the Tuff Stuff 2225NB for example.  By the way, I now do think the clutch linkage rod will fit ok with that style booster, since Boss 429's came in 4 speeds.  

Ed

[Dave R. 85]

There isn't much extra room under the hood for sure. My car is a R code Mach 1 with the Midland Ross booster. Talk about a tight fit. There is some interference between the the rear of the shock tower and the front of the master cylinder when removing or installing the master cylinder. I believe that cascade effect is true. Good luck.   Dave R.

[1969_Mach1 333]

With the original Bendix booster on my 69 Mach 1 the master cylinder can be removed without having to remove the brake booster.  I guess I got lucky.  From what I understand, the clutch rod from the Z-bar to the pedal might interfere with a 9" diameter booster.  I don't know how true that is.  If that rod clears a 9" diameter booster, that would solve some issues with stock clutch linkage and a Borgeson power steering box.

[ralt962 11]

This came up in another thread.  But take a look at the video from WCCC.  very informative on the different production boosters and what to look for.