The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Need Parts for Hydrovac

I got a '63 c60 with no working brakes. I took apart the booster and got everything moving freely, but the vacuum valve bolt holes stripped out, and while I waited for thread inserts, someone thoughtfully moved the parts, and lost the shield for the spring in the vacuum diaphragm. Does anyone know of a part number I can look up? Or a intact booster they are willing to part with? All I need is the cupped "washer."

It's simpler, and safer to get a rebuilt Hydrovac. NAPA and a few other professional parts distributors should be able to order one for you. Hydrovacs can be a bit difficult to get working right after a shade tree rebuild, and betting your life on any part of the brake system with less than 100% reliability isn't a good option.
Jerry

That's fair. I have been entertaining installing a dual master cylinder with tandem boosters, is there any other booster options other than hydrovac? Just trying to see what is out there, I suspect the whole system will need to be torn out and replaced.

You might be able to install a complete brake system from something like a P-30 motorhome chassis, all the way to the disc/drum assemblies at the front and rear hubs, but mixing and matching old and new components without a degree in automotive engineering isn't a good thing, in my decidedly biased opinion. The older rigs with the Hydrovac ran untold millions of miles relatively disaster-free, so it's not like there was a lack of design ability and experience at building a safe brake system back then. Get the brake system in as close to brand new condition as possible and drive it safely. A C-60 is a big truck, designed to haul heavy loads on a daily basis. Running unloaded, the rear wheels have a definite tendency to lock up and slide. Do you intend to use it as it was designed, or as some kind of oversized Cowboy Cadillac that never sees anything resembling a full gross weight load?
Jerry

I fought that battle recently with the hydrovac on my F700 dump truck. A working truck, and I couldnt find 1 reason not to buy a rebuilt hydrovac. For some reason, that particular one I needed is expensive. Why take a chance, not only with your life , but some one elses as well. Kind of why we are all on lock down isnt it..

The truck has a derrick mounted on the back of the truck, so it will constantly be hauling some weight. I also intend to tow a large trailer with a backhoe on it, combined weight of about 20,000lbs (10k for truck, 10k for trailer). I guessed the hydrovac would be sufficient, but with that much weight behind it, I thought splitting the system would be a good idea.

I see a lot of parts numbers out there, is there any specific number for a 1964 chevrolet c6303? Or can I just stroll into NAPA and say I need a brake booster?

Hy Casey_58, a few questions, is your truck a single axle or tandem, does it have a GVW tag on it somewhere, what engine is in it is there a tag or part number on the booster? We need to know some more facts before we can suggest what part number brake booster you should order. If you could post a picture of your booster that would help a lot, there were two different booster manufacturers being used at that time

The simplest method would be to check the Hydrovac for a model number and/or part number, and order an exact duplicate. Since you're going to use it like a truck, not a toy, I'd strongly recommend a complete rehab of the brake system: hard lines, flex lines, new linings, wheel cylinders, turn or replace the drums, etc. I'm going to also recommend that you use a trailer with its own brake system, either electric, or at least surge brakes. Electric brakes give you the option of at least slowing things down, if not stopping altogether by using manual braking with the control box in case of brake failure on the tow vehicle. I had to do that once in the middle of Nashville Tennessee interstate traffic when a brake line failed on a 59 Suburban I was driving with a trailer on behind.
Jerry

The truck is a single axle 2 speed dually, 10 bolt rear hubs. I dont have any info about weight, but my 59 came in at 8600. With a derrick on the back (and judging its construction,) I'd say around 10,000 to 12,000 lbs. The engine is a 292 straight six. There is an aluminum tag on the booster, but there is no inscription on it. The trailer has electric brakes, and the truck has a brake controller, one of those old rheostat types. I'll try to get a picture, I moved over the winter, so truck stuff is still pretty scattered.

Power Brake Sales in Sacramento is the place of choice for me to buy that stuff. TheRE are 2 women there that really know why they are talking about when it comes to hydro vacs / boosters.

I found the booster:



[img]https://drive.google.com/open?id=1U6GI7L-FdJ1b0kK0_hJWMc4VlOhDPhi2[/img]