PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: Jauntimus Prime on February 26, 2012, 11:47:14 PM
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What's up, Pinto fans? I'm Jordan, and I'm new to the forum, though I've been mining it for knowledge for the past few months. Thanks to y'all for such a great resource when it comes to these cars.
I have a '77 Cruising Wagon, 2.3/4sp, metallic brown on tan, in the garage waitin' for spring. Her name's Sarsaparilla Jones, and you'll all become well acquainted with her, I hope. I've got some plans for her, including a freshening of the engine, a header and all new exhaust, a 5-speed conversion, some body/paint/interior work, etc., etc. One of the first thing I'd like to do is convert the manual brakes to power assist.
Who here has converted one of these cars to power brakes? Which parts will I need besides the vacuum booster and master cylinder? What's involved?
Thanks in advance, folks! And may this be the first of many. ;)
-- Jordan
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From what I have heard you need to get the steering column/bracket assembly from the car as well as the pedal mounting or the booster mounts different than regular brakes do. Something to do with pedal lengths I think as well, but that may be limited to manual and auto transmission differences.
Take note that you want to pull it from a later model car as there were firewall mounting differences from earlier cars.
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Are you sure you do not have them or where was the booster removed? I have never seen a post 1974 Pinto with out power brakes. However you should just have to get the brake pedal, I not sure about the brake/clutch housing assembly that is on top of the steering column the Ford Manual did not show any difference in the info on brakes. You can check EBay they do show up from time to time or try the classifieds here....Lot's of parts. Also get a brake proportion valve as well.These are a common after market parts and unlike the stock unit are adjustable.Are there any changes to the disc and drums I'm not sure check with Autozone etc on line and get some good info, like I said I do not recall seeing a Pinto of later years with out power brakes.I remember seeing the Pre 1974 series however. Just ensure to get the post 1974 parts with the 2.3 and you should be fine.
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Sasparilla Jones, that is one of the best names I ever heard for a car. "Sassy J " for short?
Here is a link to watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOaty7FpwMI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOaty7FpwMI) turn it up and put the speakers toward Sasparilla Jones.
Welcome and post some pics of Sasparilla.
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like I said I do not recall seeing a Pinto of later years with out power brakes
I currenty own 7 of the them... 77 and newer... only 1 has power brakes, last 3 I sold or scrapped were also later models and all without power brakes. Power brakes are not really a common item among Pinto's I have seen or owned.
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From what I have heard you need to get the steering column/bracket assembly from the car as well as the pedal mounting or the booster mounts different than regular brakes do. Something to do with pedal lengths I think as well, but that may be limited to manual and auto transmission differences.
Take note that you want to pull it from a later model car as there were firewall mounting differences from earlier cars.
I have a '76 wagon 2.3 four speed that was purchased with manual brakes, and I converted it to power brakes. It's a reasonably complex task even IF you have the right parts. The pedal setup is different (because the push rod for the brake booster is different than the manual setup), and a power brake pedal is typically wider than a manual, as well as the being structurally different - so it requires some special work.
You will also need to get a different plate for the firewall - it's a small but important piece that mounts to the firewall and is tucked up behind the firewall insulation - so you wouldn't know it's there - but it allows for the correct mounting of the brake booster, so you HAVE to have it.
You will need to cannibalize a power brake setup from another car set up with it, make sure you get the whole bracket/pedal mounting setup under the dash, as well as the firewall interface plate. I did a thorough writeup of this process in one of the Pinto Times issues, I'd have to go back and dig for it to let you know more.
Like another poster said, it's not a common thing on the 2.3, but it CAN be done and makes braking a LOT more enjoyable/efficient.
Chris
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I have a near mint condition pedal.Very slight wear on the pad.All bushings bolts and clips like new.
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I have a '76 wagon 2.3 four speed that was purchased with manual brakes, and I converted it to power brakes. It's a reasonably complex task even IF you have the right parts. The pedal setup is different (because the push rod for the brake booster is different than the manual setup), and a power brake pedal is typically wider than a manual, as well as the being structurally different - so it requires some special work.
You will also need to get a different plate for the firewall - it's a small but important piece that mounts to the firewall and is tucked up behind the firewall insulation - so you wouldn't know it's there - but it allows for the correct mounting of the brake booster, so you HAVE to have it.
You will need to cannibalize a power brake setup from another car set up with it, make sure you get the whole bracket/pedal mounting setup under the dash, as well as the firewall interface plate. I did a thorough writeup of this process in one of the Pinto Times issues, I'd have to go back and dig for it to let you know more.
Like another poster said, it's not a common thing on the 2.3, but it CAN be done and makes braking a LOT more enjoyable/efficient.
Chris
I had a 1979 wagon with non power steering and non power brakes. I sort of liked it :) My 78 has all power but if the rack ever does have to be replaced Im thinking of having it changed to non powered for both. No fluids to leak no pump to replace no pressure hoes to leak no vacuum leaks maybe more power for the wheels :)
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Yeah Armstrong Power Steering...... As for the Power Brakes Versus Non Power Brakes I guess it's a California thing.....All of the Pintos I've had or seen had power brakes....2 owned many seen in junk yards in California.
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I am your information booth as always you can ask me about power and non I have them all ! Fred :)
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Appreciate the input guys! Definitely more involved than I anticipated. And you're right... you don't see too many with p/b, or at least I haven't. I saw the lack of power brakes as a real deficiency, but since then I noticed it getting worse, but more intermittent. A new master cylinder's definitely in order, and I'll probably flush the lines and go thru the brakes completely whiles I'm at it. She just might stop like a champ after that.
Thanks for the vid Norman! Hell yeah. Sassy J, or Brown Sunshine. I've got a few pics I'll put up of her next to another '77 C/W. There's a guy on this forum in the Seattle area who has a bright yellow one with the green factory decals that he turbocharged.. . he saw mine parked on the street and had to knock on my door! Are you here dude? Or anyone know who that is?
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when doing this conversion. take the brake lines and proportion valve for the master cylinder donating car, you will find that power brake lines are shorter in some cases and the pro valve will be mounted in a different position. so you will have to drill one or two holes on your driver side inner fender