Hey guys.
I've been contemplating replacing my vacuum boosted brake system with hydroboost for many years - my main reason for not doing so before is quite simply, not wanting to replace what (sort of) works. I am now at the point of being annoyed with sub-standard braking. My primary concerns are safety, reliability, and serviceability. Clean appearance is also a consideration, but far behind the other concerns. My engine bay is far from show quality...
I've been trying to compile information about the various options and I'm sort of getting lost in all the links. I do not want to reinvent the wheel, and I also do not have all the time in the world to scour junkyards and cobble together parts from here and there.
My bronco has front disc (the "chevy" disc conversion) and the larger 11x1.75" rear drums. Engine is a 351w with Ford Lightning/Explorer EFI. While I don't necessarily want to spend a fortune, I am willing to pay for convenience. This being said, I see Doug and others on classic using the ebay angle bracket to mount their hydroboost systems, while Wild Horses sells what looks to be a very simple machined aluminum firewall bracket upon which to connect the hydroboost unit and the master cylinder to, and it mounts the brake hardware more or less straight off the firewall.
First question - what's the reason to choose the ebay angle bracket over the WH solution?
Second - it appears that the ebay angle bracket places the master cylinder farther over the driver's side inner fender than the vacuum kits do. Is that true?
I have a Saginaw "canned ham" pump that's been improved by AGR Performance; it is said to provide higher flow and pressure. I know that it is better than stock because I could tell the difference in steering performance the first time I hit the rocks with the new pump. I am going to assume that it'll do the job for brakes in addition to steering. It currently only has a single-return on the reservoir - with some searching I could probably find a dual return reservoir.
This brings me to my third question - is a dual return reservoir worth sourcing or will a single-return reservoir do the job, if I "t" the returns before dumping back into the pump reservoir?
And finally my fourth question - is there any benefit to the DIY approach vs the kits, aside from price? Meaning - are folks having problems with the kits and/or finding that the kits do not satisfy some need, whether functional or aesthetic?
...
Getting a little off topic - I have one (used) Explorer front dress set and I believe I have access to a (new) Explorer front dress as well. I bought the Wild Horses adapter kit to allow me to run the Saginaw pump within the Explorer brackets. I figure if I am tearing everything apart I might as well swap to the Explorer accessories at that time as well. I have no real functional reason to do this swap other than that I have the parts. One thing I like about it is I'd be getting away from the 3g alternator design which hasn't been the most reliable for me. Whether or not the Explorer alternator solves this, I don't know. But I also like that the Explorer front accessories give more clearance to the radiator. My current setup has just so little room, and I'm basically forced to run an electric fan. The electric fan has been fine but my brain tells me that a mechanical fan would be more reliable (one less aftermarket "thing" to fail while on the road or on the trail).
So... I may put all of this together as my "winter" project. Any input to my questions above is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I've been contemplating replacing my vacuum boosted brake system with hydroboost for many years - my main reason for not doing so before is quite simply, not wanting to replace what (sort of) works. I am now at the point of being annoyed with sub-standard braking. My primary concerns are safety, reliability, and serviceability. Clean appearance is also a consideration, but far behind the other concerns. My engine bay is far from show quality...
I've been trying to compile information about the various options and I'm sort of getting lost in all the links. I do not want to reinvent the wheel, and I also do not have all the time in the world to scour junkyards and cobble together parts from here and there.
My bronco has front disc (the "chevy" disc conversion) and the larger 11x1.75" rear drums. Engine is a 351w with Ford Lightning/Explorer EFI. While I don't necessarily want to spend a fortune, I am willing to pay for convenience. This being said, I see Doug and others on classic using the ebay angle bracket to mount their hydroboost systems, while Wild Horses sells what looks to be a very simple machined aluminum firewall bracket upon which to connect the hydroboost unit and the master cylinder to, and it mounts the brake hardware more or less straight off the firewall.
First question - what's the reason to choose the ebay angle bracket over the WH solution?
Second - it appears that the ebay angle bracket places the master cylinder farther over the driver's side inner fender than the vacuum kits do. Is that true?
I have a Saginaw "canned ham" pump that's been improved by AGR Performance; it is said to provide higher flow and pressure. I know that it is better than stock because I could tell the difference in steering performance the first time I hit the rocks with the new pump. I am going to assume that it'll do the job for brakes in addition to steering. It currently only has a single-return on the reservoir - with some searching I could probably find a dual return reservoir.
This brings me to my third question - is a dual return reservoir worth sourcing or will a single-return reservoir do the job, if I "t" the returns before dumping back into the pump reservoir?
And finally my fourth question - is there any benefit to the DIY approach vs the kits, aside from price? Meaning - are folks having problems with the kits and/or finding that the kits do not satisfy some need, whether functional or aesthetic?
...
Getting a little off topic - I have one (used) Explorer front dress set and I believe I have access to a (new) Explorer front dress as well. I bought the Wild Horses adapter kit to allow me to run the Saginaw pump within the Explorer brackets. I figure if I am tearing everything apart I might as well swap to the Explorer accessories at that time as well. I have no real functional reason to do this swap other than that I have the parts. One thing I like about it is I'd be getting away from the 3g alternator design which hasn't been the most reliable for me. Whether or not the Explorer alternator solves this, I don't know. But I also like that the Explorer front accessories give more clearance to the radiator. My current setup has just so little room, and I'm basically forced to run an electric fan. The electric fan has been fine but my brain tells me that a mechanical fan would be more reliable (one less aftermarket "thing" to fail while on the road or on the trail).
So... I may put all of this together as my "winter" project. Any input to my questions above is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Comment