The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Hydrovac ... Anyone?

I recently installed my saginaw transmission with Patricks shift kit. I found out that this tranmission kit does not work with the brake booster kit from CPP. With the shift mechanism on the side of the tranny there isn't enough room for the brake booster. I am going with the original master cylinder and a remotely mounted hydrovac. As anyone else done this? I am looking for advice/pictures on how to run the brakelines. My truck is a '52 3100.

Patrick reccomends that set up. I've seen it in its stock form with the hydrovac unit mounted on the frame on the passanger side just foreward of the cab corner. Maybe someone can post the factory assembly drawing showing the install for you.

As far as running the brake lines go, you could call patrick if no one give you any hints, or you could look at a shop manual for a larger truck, since those hydrovac units came from the factory in the larger bolts.

I'm not sure if the hydrovac will work with a dual master, but if it will, it might be worth getting the bracket and dual master- they won't interfere with the tranny and provide an added measure of safety.

As far as I can see you would need two seperate units to use an orginal booster with a dual master cylinder. I see big trouble ahead just hooking it up the front or back side of a modern master. I've seen some kits for installing a booster/dual master, but there dont seem to be the room for all this in the factory area. All our yard deisels have a hydo booster that is a part of the steering system. They work great, but it looks to be a lot of stuff to put in an old bolts engine bay.

ours run off of a power steering pump not found in an AD truck. With its lines, pump, and oil tank its seems kind of big for the space. Maybe there are unit out there that are smaller. On the ones here, space is a plenty, so it wasnt an issue.

I have a hydroboost I installed on my 52 in about the stock location.
Look at my pictures of the axle upgrade on the link below.

I don't think I would build another truck without a hydrobooster

It's tough to mount a p/s pump on a bolt if you are running a/c and an alternator on the driverside. That's why I went with the dual diaprhagm vacuum booster and t-5. With the saginaw I think your only option is the hydroboost.

If you've got a/c you could rig a mount on the passanger side using the timing cover and the side engine mount holes in the block.

Then you'd need to modify the crank pulley or find a two groove one.

I've been planning to add power steering and when I do, I'll grind off the rivets holding the single groove on the original crank pulley and then bolt on a two groove 7" pulley I'll salvage from a boneyard. I think the stock crank pulley is 7.25" in diameter, but 7" is more common and shouldn't make much of a difference in driving the water pump, a/c, alternator or p/s pump.

Best of luck!

Grigg,

Thanks for the pictures! I was wondering if you have the frame cross-member that sits right behind the tranny? Some trucks had it some didn't. Also I see that you made bracket that fixed the hydroboost to the orginal frame bracket. From the end facing the rear of the truck could you tell me how far the hydroboost extends past that bracket.

How much is the hydroboost? Also what kit did you get?

Thanks!

chev235,

I don't have a crosmember behind the transmission till the back of the cab, but nothing is missing, I have a 1 ton truck.

Yes I modified the original brake clutch assembly to hold the hyrdobooster. I can't get a measurement posted here for two weeks. But you can PM me and I will give you my phone number and I can look at it and measure anything for you Monday. I just won't be back to the computer for a few weeks.

You can buy used ones very reasonable, and new ones are around $400 or so, I think.
I bought my new booster, master, and all the lines and fittings from Hydratech. http://www.hydratechbraking.com/

If it helps my booster and master were intended for an 04 ford super duty.

It would be worth calling Paul just to talk about your project, I am sure you will learn something. Mention my name and my red 1 ton 52 chevy and he will understand what you are trying to do. I stopped by to see him once and he had my truck on the lift to inspect.

Hope this helps,
Grigg

Thanks Grigg that helps alot. I'll give Paul a call. I hate to bother you with the measurements so at last resort I'll give you a call.