manual or power brakes? • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Chris** » 09 Mar 2008 19:29

You guys probably covered this allready, but i bought my car ( 71 RT) in pieces and it like a jigsaw puzzle. I'm currently trying to figure out if it was power brakes or not. I found a master cylinder but i dont know if theres a difference in those, but the rod that comes through the firewall is connected directly to the brake pedal on a small swivel. I couldnt find a brake booster anywhere but lots of parts are missing, thank god for ebay. If someone can tell me what to look for i would appreciate it. thanks.

by **patrick** » 10 Mar 2008 2:20

If you have a fender tag, I would start there. It doesn't tell everything but, it will tell you what you need to know. Write the number's down as they appear on the tag. Then Google search mopar fender tag decoder. Hope this helps. Pat

by **dave-r** » 10 Mar 2008 9:09

You can tell if the car came with power brakes or not by looking at the way the brake pushrod is mounted to the brake pedal.

With manual brakes the pushrod is connected directly to the pedal and the master cylinder would have been mounted lower on the bulkhead.

With power brakes the pushrod is mounted to the brake pedal via a small bellcrank arrangement and the master cylinder would have been mounted higher on the bulkhead.

by **dave-r** » 10 Mar 2008 9:15

Here is a photo of a bellcrank attached to the back of a power booster so you can see what to look for on your brake pedal.

by **Chris** » 10 Mar 2008 14:41

Thanks Dave my car has it bolted directly to the pedal so it must be manual brakes. I dont have the fender tag yet but i'm still trying to find it.

by **patrick** » 11 Mar 2008 5:08

Dave definately know's his 70-71's. :thumbsup:

Haven't checked yet but, this might be correct on the 72-74 model's as well.

by **dave-r** » 11 Mar 2008 8:42

Actually this particular point is correct on all classic mid-60s and 70s Chrysler models that I know of. Possibly more.

The bell crank is there to actually reduce the brake pedal force. The power booster needs very little effort to apply the brakes. You would easily lock the brakes up all the time if they hadn't done that.
(Or maybe they just messed up and the power booster would foul the engine valve cover. :wink:

)

If you look at the bulkhead behind the booster you will see that has provision for mounting the master cylinder in two positions. I have mounted this manual MC in the lower position and I had to fabricate a plate to cover the area above where the power version had been.