Power brakes with 409 425 hp

[Red 409 63 impala]

Another question, my 63 SS with 425 hp 409 is moving along. I am adding pwr brakes and am wondering the best way to obtain vacuum for the brake booster. The assembly manual does not show the power brake option with the dual carbs. Am I making a mistake? Thanks

 

[bobs409]

On my 400hp I T'eed into the PCV valve at the back of the carb.

 

[drc409]

Suggest you measure how much vacuum you have before buying booster

 

[skipxt4]

Back in, 65 or 66 I was in my neighborhood junkyard, scrounging up another rear end. I went through Many. Anyhow, I noticed a very nice Brake Booster, on the 63, that I just took the rear end out of. Mr. Taylor told me to take it. When I got home, I put it on. The car would stop on a dime.Sometimes. Sometimes, it wouldn't stop at all.The 425 H.P. cam didn't make enough vacuum.Nowadays, vacuum canisters, are available.

 

[MRHP]

You can also get an electric vacuum pump, but they vibrate quite a bit and are noisy.

 

[bobs409]

I've never had any trouble with my 400hp and vacuum. I have a stock cam.

 

[yellow wagon]

OR just put upgraded shoes, all new brake hardware, fresh drums and get them adjusted really well. My car will put you into the dash if you hit the pedal really hard. No booster needed!

 

[MRHP]

I have manual disc/drum and the brakes can throw you on the floor if needed.

 

[Skip FIx]

I have heard you should not have the PCV and the brakes on the same fitting oil contamination possible in booster I think was the reason.

 

[bobs409]

I think it's how the factory did it before they added the special port in the intake. I never had a problem so far anyway.

 

[blkblk63ss]

Must be some difference in the brakes ,one get''s thrown in the dash ,and the other get''s thrown on the floor!!!!!

 

[63impalass409]

Depends how tall you are ,us taller guys go through the dash and windshield while the shorter folk go under the dash!!!

 

[Red 409 63 impala]

Thanks for all the info. My 409 has dual afb's, but a hydraulic cam. It probably is not a real high performance grind. I purchased the engine that was rebuilt and never in a car. The 2 4's will probably never be run wide open. Looks like I should be okay with just pulling vacuum from the bottom of the rear carb. I will not utilize a pcv instead use a road draft tube as was used up to 62 on the 409.

 

[MRHP]

You need about 16 inches of vacuum to properly operate a booster. I have used 14 with success. A check valve and resivoir would let you get away with even less.

 

[skipxt4]

" The 2 4's will probably never be run wide open." We'll see.

 

[Eric Kozmic]

Thanks to Mike (1958 delivery) on this site, I'm in the process of getting disc brakes installed on the front of my 63- 409/425.

No booster on my install. Can't wait to see (feel) the difference. This and a few other items should make a fun winter of driving. No salt on the roads here so it's pretty much wide open from a driving perspective.