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Wanting to add power brakes to my 1/2 ton stepside.I know exactly nothing about adding power brakes.I'm keeping the the drum bakes on all 4 corners.What will I need other than a booster?Any specific booster that I need to get?

I added the Classic Performance easy drum booster to my 61. It took about 1/2hour to install and works great. I just purchased a front disc kit from them and you can reuse the power booster you just need a different master cylinder. At under $200 the power booster is a great up grade.

There are factory power brake boosters available on eBay and on the "Truck Parts For Sale" forum. I have personally done the power brake conversion on several '64-'66 Chevy trucks, utilizing the factory power brake booster. The process is relatively easy and requires very few tools and little know-how.

If you are using a factory power brake booster, correct for the '60-'66 Chevy trucks, you will need the factory power brake booster, mounting wedge, check valve, vacuum hose, hose fitting to boss in intake manifold, mounting fasteners and push rod. The aluminum mounting wedge, that mounts the booster to the firewall, ensures the push rod through the firewall to the pedal has the correct geometry.

If using a factory power brake booster, you can use your factory single chamber master cylinder, simply by removing it from the firewall and keeping the brake line connected. It will then attach directly to the face of the booster after it is attached to the firewall. If you are interested in this application, I can give you a play-by-play of the installation procedure. Attached is a photo of a factory power brake booster installed.

Factory power brake booster

Do you have a manual trans on that '60? If so it tosses a wrench into adding power brakes as it has a combo clutch & master cylinder setup. Brian

Brian:

Good point. I didn't address that issue.

Thanks for the replies.

Yea,I have manual transmission but my master cylinder only has 1 line coming out of it.So I presume it for the brakes only?

Just remember the pitfall with piston diameters. Drums brakes require more pressure to the slave cylinder so they will have 3/4" or 7/8" master cylinder pistons. Disc will use larger pistons. I had trouble locating the small diameter piston with the correct socket for the rod. There were only a few years that drum brakes were used with boosters.

Think I'll just stick to the drum brakes for now.Been kicking the idea of buying an old beat up mid 70s truck and using the frontend,rearend,engine and tranny.Sounds like that may be the best bet.

thanks for all the info.

In your picture showing the engine bay I can see the master cylinder. It doesn't have a hydraulic clutch. If you want a vacuum booster, I would try a CarQuest or a NAPA auto parts first. See if the have one that will fit a 60 through 66 on their list. Some minor mods may be needed if you get one not made specifically for your year,
Scott

Attached are a few photos of power brake boosters. This one is a factory assembly with vacuum line to intake manifold.

Factory power brake booster with vacuum line

This one is an aftermarket assembly from Classic Performance Products with the six lug disk brakes on the front and factory drums on the rear. This setup required a proportioning valve due to the pressure differential between drum and disk brakes.

Classic Performance Products power brake booster with proportioning valve

Hopefully, this will give some ideas about some of the available applications.

www.mpbrakes.com sells a booster kit for your truck.not cheep.

Thanks again for the help guys.May have to the local NAPA and check out vacuum booster.So far they have had everything that I have wanted for the ol bolt.Most of it even in stock.