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12/11/2023 5:57 PM  #1


Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

I am just getting around to installing the Power Brake Upgrade kit I purchased from MS. I have two questions about the instructions:

1) the instructions say to drill out some of the existing holes to make them bigger but the holes are threaded bushings that are pressed into the booster/brake pedal support under the dash. Am I drilling out the threads so the threaded bolts on the new booter can pass thru those holes?
2) When looking at the plate that goes between the booster and the firewall, there is an additional hole that a shorter bolt from the booster passes thru. While this bolt is shorter than the others, it is still longer than the depth of the plate so it seems it needs to pass thru the firewall. But the firewall diagram that are part of the instructions make no mention of this bolt.

Pictures attached below:

 

12/11/2023 6:08 PM  #2


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

You can use a 7/16" or 1/2" drill to just remove the threaded portion of the swedged inserts, or you can completely remove the threaded inserts.  When I do them, I remove the threaded inserts and weld a thick washer over the hole (using the booster studs as a template to be sure the washers are in the right place).  Or, once you removed the swedged inserts, you can just place a washer under the nut after installing the booster. FOUR HOLES will have booster studs going through them, including the new hole at the botto, center.

REMEMBER, the upper driver side swedged insert does not get drilled or removed. It will receive a short bolt from the engine side of the firewall.

On the plate, the bolt hole with the arrow holds the plate to the booster with the one short stud on the booster.  That stud does not touch or go through the firewall.  If it is longer than necessary, it can be cut off.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

12/22/2023 1:48 PM  #3


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

MS wrote:

You can use a 7/16" or 1/2" drill to just remove the threaded portion of the swedged inserts, or you can completely remove the threaded inserts.  When I do them, I remove the threaded inserts and weld a thick washer over the hole (using the booster studs as a template to be sure the washers are in the right place).  Or, once you removed the swedged inserts, you can just place a washer under the nut after installing the booster. FOUR HOLES will have booster studs going through them, including the new hole at the botto, center.

REMEMBER, the upper driver side swedged insert does not get drilled or removed. It will receive a short bolt from the engine side of the firewall.

On the plate, the bolt hole with the arrow holds the plate to the booster with the one short stud on the booster.  That stud does not touch or go through the firewall.  If it is longer than necessary, it can be cut off.

Thanks for the info. Next question related to kit...

For the brake pedal, the directions say "Retain all old washers and factory cotter pin from the old brake pedal/master cylinder rod connection. A new black flanged plastic bushing is provided with the booster supplied by MustangSteve. The brake pedal pin must have (2) white plastic washers, (1) black flanged bushing and the brake light switch, all held in place by a cotter pin" my old brake pedal only had 1 white plastic washer on it, is it imperative that the new pedal have 2? In what order do the white washers, black flanged wash and brake light switch get put onto the pin? If I have to acquire a second white washer...any tips on where I might be able to locally source something I can use to avoid having to order one online?


 

     Thread Starter
 

12/22/2023 4:03 PM  #4


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

Without all the parts, things get sloppy and stoplight switch may not function properly


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

12/22/2023 5:35 PM  #5


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

i found some plastic washers in the hardware section at local Walmart. They would have to be drilled out as they were like for a 1/4" bolt.. Picked them up figuring they might come in handy somewhere. They were about 1" OD.


67 Coupe, 5.0 EEC IV Fuel injected. T5, 3:70 rear
 

12/22/2023 6:02 PM  #6


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

MS wrote:

Without all the parts, things get sloppy and stoplight switch may not function properly

That image only shows a single nylon washer, where does the second nylon washer go?

     Thread Starter
 

12/23/2023 6:35 AM  #7


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

one on the shaft first, switch with nylon bushing and then the second plastic washer, one on each side of the switch;


67 Coupe, 5.0 EEC IV Fuel injected. T5, 3:70 rear
 

12/23/2023 11:04 AM  #8


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

Alan wrote:

i found some plastic washers in the hardware section at local Walmart. They would have to be drilled out as they were like for a 1/4" bolt.. Picked them up figuring they might come in handy somewhere. They were about 1" OD.

 
Those parts are pretty specific, not much cash, and readily available. Get the correct parts.


Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
 

12/23/2023 11:23 AM  #9


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

RPM, aka Bearing Bob wrote:

Alan wrote:

i found some plastic washers in the hardware section at local Walmart. They would have to be drilled out as they were like for a 1/4" bolt.. Picked them up figuring they might come in handy somewhere. They were about 1" OD.

 
Those parts are pretty specific, not much cash, and readily available. Get the correct parts.

Thanks, found that yesterday and put them on-order

     Thread Starter
 

12/27/2023 10:17 AM  #10


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

I have seen Mustangs come into my shop that had no bushings whatsoever on the brake pedal and, miraculously, the stoplights still worked. Not something I would try.  The correct parts assure no rattling and proper stoplight switch operation.
That said, some 67-69 cars have stoplight issues even from the factory.  I finally gave up and went with a pressure switch on mu factory power brake 69..  I know exactly how to put them together and never got them to work until I put the pressure switch on.

Its magic, I tell you, how those stoplight switches operate!


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

12/27/2023 12:30 PM  #11


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

It's not magic, you just install a manual switch like RPM. Push it when you hit the brake pedal.


67 Coupe, 5.0 EEC IV Fuel injected. T5, 3:70 rear
 

12/27/2023 2:04 PM  #12


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

MS wrote:

I have seen Mustangs come into my shop that had no bushings whatsoever on the brake pedal and, miraculously, the stoplights still worked. Not something I would try. The correct parts assure no rattling and proper stoplight switch operation.
That said, some 67-69 cars have stoplight issues even from the factory. I finally gave up and went with a pressure switch on mu factory power brake 69.. I know exactly how to put them together and never got them to work until I put the pressure switch on.

Its magic, I tell you, how those stoplight switches operate!

I remember when I was going through changing from manual to power brakes and I had installed a power brake pedal from a 69 - and I didn't know about the differences in power vs manual switches - I almost got rear ended because the manual switch required more pedal travel. I was starting to stop way before my brake lights were coming on. I looked at the switch, and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out how that switch worked. I found out that there was a different switch for power brakes and I swapped the switches out. MS - you're right - is has to be PFM that actuates that switch! (PFM - pure f**king magic)

 


68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
 

12/27/2023 5:59 PM  #13


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

Alan wrote:

It's not magic, you just install a manual switch like RPM. Push it when you hit the brake pedal.

 
As long as the “brake man” is paying attention, all good. 😁

 

12/30/2023 6:28 PM  #14


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

One step above touching two bare wires together when you hit the brakes.
Some bare wires and careful application of duct tape to the pedal support and pedal could probably make it work, but that’s not how I would do it.
I tried two or three different power brake stoplight switches on the 69 before I got tired of crawling under the dash and plumbed a pressure switch into the front brake line right beside the master cylinder


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

12/30/2023 6:34 PM  #15


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

12/31/2023 11:04 AM  #16


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

For my 65, I had two stop light switches and didn’t realize the switch for manual and power brakes were different.  I believe what I installed was the ‘manual’ switch, which was an original from a 66 Mustang, and it worked fine with my original manual 4-wheel disc brake setup.  I did not change the switch when I installed the hydroboost system a couple of years ago, and is still works just fine. 
I checked it again today, in the garage, with the engine off, when I press the brake pedal the stop lights come on prior to me providing any real pressure on the pedal. 
Just saying.


65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
 

12/31/2023 2:08 PM  #17


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

Check it with the hydroboost in operation.  The brakes are very light to apply under power, and that is when you need to know if it works or not.
Best test is to have someone follow to see if they work under light braking conditions


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

1/01/2024 9:16 AM  #18


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

Good point, I'll check it out and respond back. 


65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
 

1/02/2024 8:36 AM  #19


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

BobE wrote:

Good point, I'll check it out and respond back. 

So, I verified that my brake lights work with both the engine not running, and engine running (hydroboost powered up).  The foot pressure required to activate the brake lights is a minimum pressure, and I would say that the disc brakes are barely being applied to the rotors when the brake lights come on.  
 


65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
 

1/11/2024 8:02 PM  #20


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

MS wrote:

I have seen Mustangs come into my shop that had no bushings whatsoever on the brake pedal and, miraculously, the stoplights still worked. Not something I would try. The correct parts assure no rattling and proper stoplight switch operation.
That said, some 67-69 cars have stoplight issues even from the factory. I finally gave up and went with a pressure switch on mu factory power brake 69.. I know exactly how to put them together and never got them to work until I put the pressure switch on.

Its magic, I tell you, how those stoplight switches operate!

@MS, got the booster installed but had a question. The instructions say to install the included lock washers and locking nuts on each bolt...but my booster just came with nuts that had the serrated flange...no locking washers. Do I need to get locking washers to go with the serrated flange nuts or are they enough?
 

     Thread Starter
 

1/11/2024 9:30 PM  #21


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

Serrated flange is better


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

1/11/2024 10:07 PM  #22


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

Before you finish assembly of the booster, put an extra nut on the studs where they pass through the mounting plate of the booster with a bit of loctite. Place a fender washer on top of the extra nuts and set the top of the washers to the same height as the edge of the mounting plate. This will give a solid surface to tighten against.
 

Last edited by 50vert (1/11/2024 10:12 PM)


"Those telephone poles were like a picket fence"
 

1/12/2024 6:05 AM  #23


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

50vert wrote:

Before you finish assembly of the booster, put an extra nut on the studs where they pass through the mounting plate of the booster with a bit of loctite. Place a fender washer on top of the extra nuts and set the top of the washers to the same height as the edge of the mounting plate. This will give a solid surface to tighten against.
 

Great tip...thanks

     Thread Starter
 

1/12/2024 12:45 PM  #24


Re: Installing MS Power Brake Upgrade Kit

Phydeauxman wrote:

50vert wrote:

Before you finish assembly of the booster, put an extra nut on the studs where they pass through the mounting plate of the booster with a bit of loctite. Place a fender washer on top of the extra nuts and set the top of the washers to the same height as the edge of the mounting plate. This will give a solid surface to tighten against.
 

Great tip...thanks

Yes, this works well. I have used a stack of washers. That way you are sure to be tightening the booster itself, not just a nut on a threaded stud


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

Board footera


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