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  •  » Low Brake Pedal on 66 Fastback

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    4/25/2015 9:59 AM  #1

    John 997
    Active Member

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    Registered: 4/25/2015
    Posts: 3

    Low Brake Pedal on 66 Fastback

    I have a 66 fastback with the following:

    Ford Racing 306 crate engine
    T-5 tranny 
    3.55 posi
    Power steering
    Power brakes -Master Brakes
    Clutch cable from Modern Driveline.

    The concern I have is with the brakes. I installed Master Brakes disc. brake conversion kit for the front and kept the stock drum brakes on the rear. The kit included the Power booster/4piston calipers/proportioning valve for dic/drum brakes. The brake pedal seems low to me. I checked the master cylinder push rod and the brake pedal plunger and they are correct. The rear brakes have been adjusted and system has been bled NUMEROUS times and still the pedal is low. I called a local rebuilder of classic mustangs and he said that the low brake pedal is common on this type of application. It may be common but I would perfer a better setup. After checking your website I noticed you have a "revised pedal ratio kit" which would give an additional 2" of travel with my setup. My question is will the Bolt-ON kit part # PB-4 work with my current configuration and will it solve the low pedal feeling? Any thoughts would be appreciated. I also apologize if this has been covered in a previous forum.
    Thanks
     

     

    4/25/2015 11:02 AM  #2

    Hornman
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Mansfield, Texas
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,568

    Re: Low Brake Pedal on 66 Fastback

    When you say "low pedal" do you mean the brake pedal stays physically low but the brakes work OK?

     

    4/25/2015 11:23 AM  #3

    John 997
    Active Member

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    Registered: 4/25/2015
    Posts: 3

    Re: Low Brake Pedal on 66 Fastback

    The brakes work fine it's just that they seem to go too far down(toward the floor) before engaging....there seems to be too much travel before engaging. I have adjusted both the plunger and the pushrod. I can actually get them to engage sooner by adjusting the plunger or the pushrod out futher but then the brakes will start locking up ( not releasing fully). From other forums and talking with others.... I have gathered it's not an uncommon occurance.....it's just I don't like it (personal preference) and was wondering if there was a fix by using the PB-4 kit.

       •Thread Starter
     

    4/25/2015 6:22 PM  #4

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,174

    Re: Low Brake Pedal on 66 Fastback

    Pb-4 will only work with the Ford booster designed to work with it.
    Have you got the type of cable clutch kit that has the plate between the booster and firewall?  If so, it is about 1/8" thick. With a pedal ratio of 6:1, the pedal will sit 6/8" lower in static position.

    Solution is to get a power brake conversion that has a revised pedal, proper booster and a cable clutch that does not force the booster away from the firewall.   Many of my customers have changed out systems such as yours to get better pedal feel and are much happier afterwards.

    Maybe there is another combination of parts that might help you, but I hear the same story from the MPB owners all the time.
    Or adjust the booster input shaft longer so the pedal sits higher and just deal with the extra pedal stroke.

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

    4/25/2015 8:29 PM  #5

    rbtconsultants
    FYI FORD Member

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    Registered: 6/10/2013
    Posts: 89

    Re: Low Brake Pedal on 66 Fastback

    We put a hydroboost with a non adjustable pushrod in our 66. At that point the brake pedal sat low. I took the brake pedal to a machine shop and had them move the pin on the pedal 3/8" towards the firewall (i measured how far the pin moved when I raised the pedal to desired height). This raised the brake pedal height about an inch and a half.

    Just a thought.

    Bob

     

    4/25/2015 9:03 PM  #6

    John 997
    Active Member

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    Registered: 4/25/2015
    Posts: 3

    Re: Low Brake Pedal on 66 Fastback

    Mustang Steve,...thanks for the input...I am considering changing my modern driveline clutch cable out for a hyraulic clutch for a couple of different reasons...If I do that and install your PB-5 kit...will that give me a better pedal ???? I do not want to deal with extra pedal stroke.

       •Thread Starter
     

    4/25/2015 9:12 PM  #7

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,174

    Re: Low Brake Pedal on 66 Fastback

    Typically, hydraulic clutches are not compatible with power brake boosters.  This is why the design incorporating the cable clutch and power brakes all in one package, designed from the start to work together, from one manufacturer, proves to be such a popular item.  The CK-165-M assembly takes care of both features all in one unit.

    Some have designed ways to make hydraulic clutches and power boosters live together, but to me they seem very complicated with alot of working parts.  I am not sure if any are actually in production, but if hydraulic clutch is your goal, check around, especially with Rosehill Performance.

    Last edited by MustangSteve (4/25/2015 9:14 PM)

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

    4/25/2015 9:32 PM  #8

    jkordzi
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    From: Sequim, WA
    Registered: 12/28/2013
    Posts: 927

    Re: Low Brake Pedal on 66 Fastback

    John 997 wrote:

    I have a 66 fastback with the following:

    Ford Racing 306 crate engine
    T-5 tranny 
    3.55 posi
    Power steering
    Power brakes -Master Brakes
    Clutch cable from Modern Driveline.

    The concern I have is with the brakes. I installed Master Brakes disc. brake conversion kit for the front and kept the stock drum brakes on the rear. The kit included the Power booster/4piston calipers/proportioning valve for dic/drum brakes. The brake pedal seems low to me. I checked the master cylinder push rod and the brake pedal plunger and they are correct. The rear brakes have been adjusted and system has been bled NUMEROUS times and still the pedal is low. I called a local rebuilder of classic mustangs and he said that the low brake pedal is common on this type of application. It may be common but I would perfer a better setup. After checking your website I noticed you have a "revised pedal ratio kit" which would give an additional 2" of travel with my setup. My question is will the Bolt-ON kit part # PB-4 work with my current configuration and will it solve the low pedal feeling? Any thoughts would be appreciated. I also apologize if this has been covered in a previous forum.
    Thanks
     

    In my 65, I have installed an under dash hyd clutch setup of my own design that works with power brakes.  I have pictures and measurements but the plans are not yet drawn up.  PM me if you'd like to discuss.

    Cheap, Fast, Good:  Pick Any Two
     

     

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