1955 adding power brake booster

[zeroroadkill]

Has anyone added a power brake booster to their '55?

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[Ward 57]

Has anyone added a power brake booster to their '55?

It shouldn't be too tough but you are going to be looking at least $1,500 in parts.

 

[Rick Worth]

if you're talking about a remote booster like original I found an aftermarket on Amazon. $180. bux Personally I've been thinking about putting the battery in the trunk and mounting a regular dual system master/booster at an angle where the battery was.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GZNYQLJ/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

 

[dmsfrr]

My '55 came with one and I drove it for a while, until it failed and emptied all the brake fluid out of the master cylinder. 😱

I bypassed the booster, took it off the inner fender, refilled the master cyl and kept driving the car.
Eventually it will get sent off to Whitepost Restoration then be reinstalled.
Not sure how much the power booster helped before, it may have been failing all along.
In spite of that experience the brakes were still working as I expected them to, but now the car has more pressing needs to get back on the road. (broken fuel pump lever)

 

[MJB1]

I installed the original style. I purchased the kit it from Prestige. $995
Came with everything you needed and it bolted right on.
Wife drives it allot and made a big difference.

 

[Bruce Hardy]

Has anyone added a power brake booster to their '55?

I built a barn find 55 and thought I needed a booster on my disc brakes. Before I did that I switched my pads to organic instead of ceramic . It worked! Car stop great with manual pedal.

 

[55BlueBirdMaryland]

if you're talking about a remote booster like original I found an aftermarket on Amazon. $180. bux Personally I've been thinking about putting the battery in the trunk and mounting a regular dual system master/booster at an angle where the battery was.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GZNYQLJ/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

Rick: Did you do this retrofit in your car? I think the booster installation is easy, but not sure how easy is to move the battery to the trunk.

 

[steelergimp]

I built a barn find 55 and thought I needed a booster on my disc brakes. Before I did that I switched my pads to organic instead of ceramic . It worked! Car stop great with manual pedal.

Hi Roadkill, can you help me out with a organic brake pads you mentioned. I have tried to look everywhere and can't locate them anyplace? I have a 55 Bird Thanks

 

[ron56]

If you need a core or good at DYI projects then here's a link to a core. I bought a core off ebay 4 years ago rebuilt the unit and it's been working fine ever since. Mine came off a Dodge van I think, same Midland unit.

1955 1956 1957 Thunderbird 1954-1955-1956 Ford Midland Brake Booster Original | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1955 1956 1957 Thunderbird 1954-1955-1956 Ford Midland Brake Booster Original at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Tom Alpers]

Here's what I did. Much less expensive. Looks a lot like original. Same one Rick Worth mentioned. You can usually get them on Ebay.