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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,955 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,955 | What master cylinder do you use to upgrade a stock 54 gmc with drum brakes. All the imfo I find seems to be for upgrades with dscs on the front .I was thinking a 1967 chev truck master cylinder .Also with drums all around is a proportioning valve required.Thanks Kevin | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,208 Moderator, Electrical Bay | | Moderator, Electrical Bay Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,208 | I can't tell you about the master cylinder. As for the proportioning valve, I've never used one on my 1952 and I still have drum brakes. I considered one back when these valves were getting popular, but a friend who ran a chain of brake repair shops told me not to worry unless I was having trouble and if that was the case to let him see what it needed. He went on to explain the valve wouldn't have been there as it came along after 1952 but unless I was having trouble with rear wheels locking up the system designed by GM would be just fine without anyone trying to re-design it. I've never noticed the rear wheels breaking loose, but I could always see that they might have that tendency. He did also say the rear tires in any pickup should always have good tread and should be kept inflated to the right pressure.
~ Jon
1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 5,684 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 5,684 | I don't know that I'd classify a conversion to disc brakes as an upgrade. Properly adjusted drums provide more than adequate stopping power. In many cases stopping distance will increase with the use of discs. That's one reason dump trucks and semis use drums all around.
The only advantage discs have over drums is that they don't overheat under repeated hard braking. I doubt your truck will be subjected to such abuse unless you're auto-crossing it.
Last edited by Otto Skorzeny; 06/21/2022 1:48 PM.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,955 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,955 | Not wanting discs just wanting to upgrade the master cylinder .wondering what is used for a master was thinking a 67 truck with drums all around to replace the single master cylinder . | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,659 Curmudgeon | | Curmudgeon Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,659 |
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use."
"I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 5,684 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 5,684 | Not wanting discs just wanting to upgrade the master cylinder .wondering what is used for a master was thinking a 67 truck with drums all around to replace the single master cylinder . Aahh... I skim read your post and thought you were doing discs. Sorry.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,955 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,955 | Thanks buoymaker that helps | | |
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