Dual MC/new booster for '61 Amb
Printed From: TheAMCForum.com
Category: The Garage
Forum Name: Suspension, Steering, Brakes & Wheels
Forum Description: What makes it stop, turn, and smooths the ride
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=110113
Printed Date: Apr/16/2024 at 2:38pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Dual MC/new booster for '61 Amb
Posted By: cnagorka
Subject: Dual MC/new booster for '61 Amb
Date Posted: Apr/03/2021 at 7:43pm
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Hello all: I've gotten so much good advice from the forum I always wanted to bring something to the table, so here it is. I wanted to swap out the single MC/booster on my '61 Amb after I lost control of it due to a rust hole in a brake line and crashed through my garage door (to the tune of $2000.00). I figured the dual would be safer in the long term. Anyway I couldn't find any direct aftermarket replacements so I've gone the universal fit route. Long story short: it isn't too bad, the worst part is grinding off the rivets holding the bracket to the original booster. A universal aftermarket unit from Master Power Brakes fit on the bracket with some filing of the rivet holes, and the new unit has to be spaced out from the original pivot point. This can be accomplished with coupling nuts and threaded rod (M8x1.25). A mid '60s AMC MC fits the bolt pattern just fine but will need a spacer for the booster pushrod to meet up with the mechanism in the MC. The new MC barely fits because of the strut running diagonally from the fender to the firewall but it will work. There is considerable grinding needed to have the booster eyelet not conflict with the lever arms, but is isn't too bad. At the end of the day the only thing that would be really hard to put back to original would be putting the bracket back on the original booster, but if you were that determined you could open it up, drill out the rivets and put it back together with regular nuts and bolts. CN   ------------- 1961 Ambassador Custom, 1967 Ambassador 990, 1960 Rambler Six Super, '65 American 440 |
Replies:
Posted By: farna
Date Posted: Apr/07/2021 at 7:21am
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Put some pics up with the MC installed. Great work!! ------------- Frank Swygert |
Posted By: cnagorka
Date Posted: Apr/07/2021 at 7:56am
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I will- just got it finished on Sunday and it looks great. CN ------------- 1961 Ambassador Custom, 1967 Ambassador 990, 1960 Rambler Six Super, '65 American 440 |
Posted By: cnagorka
Date Posted: Apr/07/2021 at 11:19am
There it is, looking good and not crazy out of place. And no, that diagonal strut is not resting on the MC, if you look there's a stack of washers where it attaches to the firewall which gives it just enough clearance to work. It does take quite a few adapters but they were all bought at the local parts stores. 
------------- 1961 Ambassador Custom, 1967 Ambassador 990, 1960 Rambler Six Super, '65 American 440 |
Posted By: tomj
Date Posted: Apr/08/2021 at 12:02am
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Thats a clean installation! ------------- 1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com |
Posted By: cnagorka
Date Posted: Apr/08/2021 at 11:03am
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Thanks! The nice thing is that nothing is in the way, even though it takes up more space. ------------- 1961 Ambassador Custom, 1967 Ambassador 990, 1960 Rambler Six Super, '65 American 440 |
Posted By: farna
Date Posted: Apr/08/2021 at 5:10pm
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First off, job well done!!! Now for some musings... That looks like the MP Brakes BS1008D 8" booster. The 7" single diaphragm booster (BS1007) would fit better, but doesn't provide as much boost. So it would be between non-power and the bigger dual diaphragm booster -- enough if you just want to reduce pedal pressure some. It's not as long as the dual diaphragm boosters. The main issue is that the booster you used is made to be mounted directly to the firewall, not on an offset bracket. That's why you needed the spacers. The 7" single booster would be the same, but since it's 2-3" shorter not as tight. If you don't have the stand-off bracket, an MP Brakes 1970 Torino conversion kit (BM15312-1) will work. Has the correct 1" bore master, and it appears that the master has left and right side outlets. It uses a 7" dual diaphragm booster, so it's as long as the 8" model used in this post. The stand-off bracket extends further forward than stock Rambler brackets, but that shouldn't be an issue (except with things like diagonal braces as experienced here!). The only catch is you might have trouble if you tell them it's going on something else. Might be okay if you mention a custom street rod, but I'd just order for a 70 Torino (fits 66-71 Fairlane/Torino/Falcon, actually). Something to do with liability issues. Yet they will sell "universal" parts all day long, just not an application specific item that you intend to use on something else... darned lawyers... BS1008D ------------- Frank Swygert |
Posted By: cnagorka
Date Posted: Apr/08/2021 at 5:35pm
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Yes that's right, BS1008D, that's the one. Interesting about what else would fit, too late for me but who knows what I'll own in the future. And I definitely wanted more boost. The only concern I have, and isn't a huge one, is that MPB says the booster is meant to work on at least 18" vacuum and I'm measuring 15" on this car. I haven't test driven it yet so we'll see. CN ------------- 1961 Ambassador Custom, 1967 Ambassador 990, 1960 Rambler Six Super, '65 American 440 |
Posted By: farna
Date Posted: Apr/09/2021 at 6:39am
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It should be fine. A bit less vacuum will reduce power a little, but not much. ------------- Frank Swygert |