Question: master cylinder upgrade?

[80vettefan]

an older friend of mine has a 63 convertible. he's owned the car since 71. the brake have been a constant sore spot since he's owned the car. the car dosn't get used very much. he's tight as bark on a tree, so, i can't get him to do a disc brake upgrade.

here's the question, as i understand it, corvettes like my 80 don't have proportioning valves because of the cailipers. so, could i add a corvette duel master cylinder and proportioning valve from a non power brake car? advice? suggestions?

 

[JohnZ]

here's the question, as i understand it, corvettes like my 80 don't have proportioning valves because of the cailipers. so, could i add a corvette duel master cylinder and proportioning valve from a non power brake car? advice? suggestions?

Are you talking about adding a dual-circuit master cylinder to the '63? If so, many of the vendors offer kits to do that (Vette Brakes & Products, Corvette Stainless Steel Brakes, etc.). Drum brake cars don't use proportioning valves - the proportioning is designed into the system via different diameters of the wheel cylinders front-vs-rear, just as it is on 4-wheel-disc cars via different diameters of the front-vs-rear caliper pistons.

Drum brake cars DO require RPV's (residual pressure valves) in the master cylinder outlets; RPV's aren't used on disc brake cars.

 

[80vettefan]

john, so all i need is a non-power brake master cylinder with rpv's? what non power brake corvette master cylinder would make a good choice? i'll still need a junction block to add the extra line from the master cylinder, which one do you suggest?

 

[JohnZ]

The dual-reservoir master cylinders in the VB&P and CSSB kits for '63-'64 Corvettes are probably from '67-'69 Camaro/Chevelle drum brake applications; I haven't seen the plumbing they come with. No Corvette master cylinder works, as no Corvette ever had dual-reservoir drum brakes (except the '63 Z06, and those masters require a home equity loan).

 

[WayneC]

http://cssbinc.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1143

 

[Ken Anderson]

If he's as cheap as you say and has been living with crappy brakes for 37 years, why are you wasting your time? A 63 with a FULLY reconditioned brake system will stop on a dime. Dual M/C's or other whizbang stuff won't help a worn out system. And, any car with 37 year old brakes has a system that needs repair.

 

[Viet Nam Vett]

If he's as cheap as you say and has been living with crappy brakes for 37 years, why are you wasting your time? A 63 with a FULLY reconditioned brake system will stop on a dime. Dual M/C's or other whizbang stuff won't help a worn out system. And, any car with 37 year old brakes has a system that needs repair.

I agree... The most important part of the Corvette is the braking system. If the 63's system is reconditioned as stated above he'd have a much safer Corvette. After all... who rides in it ...his kids .. his wife...his friends..?? There are plenty of 63's cruzen around with stock set ups.