I want to convert my new Pinto to power brakes and I have the correct pedal for it. I was wondering if the proportioning valve is different or if I can use the one I have for the manual brakes? Thanks!
You need to state the year and bodystyle of your new Pinto...
I'm surprised no one else responded to this yet. The proportioning valve needs to be swapped out from a car that had power brakes if it's a 1971-73 model as well as the master cylinder. Bodystyle is also important. Only a wagon can use a wagon proportioning valve. Year and bodystyle is important as they changed things from year to year and between wagon/hatch/and sedan. I think there are 7 different proportioning valves used for Pintos from 1973-79 alone. Those valves were in many cases used on other cars as well but without knowing what you have it's a little hard to tell you what other cars used the same valve as yours.
When going through an earlier post in the forums I saw you bought a 1976 hatchback but you need to post that stuff in your question.
You need a proportioning valve from a 1976-79(probably also 1980) Pinto or 1976-78 Mustang. I assume the Bobcat has the same valve as the Pinto from 1976-79. A rebuilt master cylinder should be bought from an auto parts store as well as a power booster for a 1976 with power brakes. There were 2 different size rods and both the cylinder and booster have to be the same size.
Thanks for your response, but yes, I purchased a 1976 Runabout. I checked at RockAuto.com where I get a lot of parts, but I didn't see any proportioning valves there. Do they sell these at the local parts store or do I have to get these from a junkyard? I do have a booster I bought to use as a core since it seems like I will need a core to get a rebuilt unit.
Well, I'm not sure if it would be the same but my 77 sedan with manual brakes has the same proportuning valve as a 78 Mustang II with power brakes and my 12980 with power brakes. What is the number on the valve you have?
If you can not find a replacement try Wilwood they make their own adjustable proportioning valves that will fit, just check the size of the brake lines.
Will have to check on the number, but good to know about Wilwood if I have to go out and get one. Looks like I may be using my wagon as a donor car though so I have all the parts there for it. Just not sure if it's worth fixing - it has a leak in the cowl from a chipmunk or something nesting in there. The nest caused water to get soaked up and settle. I was thinking of welding the cowl shut, but it still needs a lot of work on top of that.
Since the proportioning valve only regulates the pressure so all 4 wheels brake evenly I'm pretty sure it can't tell the difference between manual or power brakes. The pressure through the lines stays the same for both types. The power booster simply does the same work as a manual master cylinder with a lot less pedal pressure.