Posted 2016-04-28 4:22 PM (#510436) Subject: 55 Imperial Brakes, What do I have?
New User
Posts: 3
New to this forum so bare with my ignorance. I have been a Chrysler (Mopar) fan for years now since I grew up as a kid riding in a 56 300B, and 61 300G. I recently acquired a 55 C69 Imperial Sedan with a very rare privacy window. In my inspection I discovered the master cylinder is leaking between the Booster and master cylinder. The master cylinder and power brake booster are not the standard OEM units. Upon looking under the dash I noticed that the rod to the Booster has been compromised by a what appears to be a tack welded extension to accommodate the different Booster. Attached are pictures. Does anyone know what model units the master cylinder and booster are from? I am thinking of getting a replacement master cylinder but I am weary as to the vacuum booster functioning properly due to the bogus rod. Can the correct rod from the brake pedal arm to the vacuum booster be purchased and or installed to accommodate this unit, or do I need to purchase everything from scratch. Can a dual reservoir master cylinder be fitted to this unit as well. I am eventually thinking of upgrading to disk brakes in the future if I keep it, but want to make it a driver at this point. Anyone's help is appreciated.
Posted 2016-04-28 10:19 PM (#510451 - in reply to #510436) Subject: Re: 55 Imperial Brakes, What do I have?
Expert
Posts: 1730
Location: Michigan
Assuming your 55 is the same base platform as every 55 Chrysler of that year, you started with the same brake system that I had. Here is my thread on the upgrade of my entire brake system. You can do the same kind of thing with just a booster / dual master and keep your drum brakes. http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=55600&...
Posted 2016-04-28 11:27 PM (#510457 - in reply to #510451) Subject: Re: 55 Imperial Brakes, What do I have?
New User
Posts: 3
You did a real nice job on the wildwood/ caprice system. My power brake booster seems to work ok, but I would like to upgrade at least the master cylinder to a dual resovoir system that will bolt up to my booster. I'm trying to make it a driver at this point until I decide which direction on the restoration I want to Ake. Any special reason why the coiled brake lines? Curious. Interesting what you did with the spark plug tubes. Where Did you obtain those from?
Posted 2016-04-29 8:54 PM (#510509 - in reply to #510436) Subject: Re: 55 Imperial Brakes, What do I have?
Expert
Posts: 1730
Location: Michigan
I coiled them because they were solid lines. There is movement required between the body and the frame. The MC is on the body and the lines go down to the frame and anchor there. So you need flex. I didn't want to use braided flex line, it was too expensive for all the pieces and joints I would need. So I just coiled them like modern cars and that gives enough flex to avoid line breaks down the road.
The Tubes are only found on Military marine engines. My engine started life as such and I converted it back to automotive. I kept a few of the Military grade components like the tubes as conversation pieces. And they are very functional and waterproof.
Posted 2016-05-04 9:48 PM (#510845 - in reply to #510436) Subject: Re: 55 Imperial Brakes, What do I have?
Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: Florida
John, the MC/Booster you have now is one type that is commonly found on 1963 and 1964 Chrysler Newport, 300 & New Yorker models (and a bunch of other 60s Mopars). Let me know if/when you'd like to get rid of them. I can use the booster for parts.