Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area Driveline Brake master cylinder

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

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.

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.

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 .

Previous discussion:

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1325687

Aahh... I skim read your post and thought you were doing discs. Sorry.

Thanks buoymaker that helps