I need to convert my 79 Camaro's power brakes to manual brakes. I don't think my new cam will allow the power brakes to work. I'm confused on the actual physical mounting of the linkage to the brake pedal arm. The booster had an attached rod to it which then attached to the pedal arm. A push rod then connected the master cylinder to the booster. How do I go about attaching a rod from the master cylinder to the brake pedal? The master cylinder just has a cup for the old push rod to actuate. I don't see how this would work now, since it seems the push rod might fall out of the cup if the brake pedal arm is pulled back too far.

I also discovered that the parts store has a master cylinder for power brakes and one for manual brakes for the Camaro. ( I didn't know they could come with manual brakes!) They both appear to be the same externally, so I wonder how they might be different internally. I'm not aware that there should be any difference between the two types. I know that there are residual valves for drum brakes.

Can anybody help?

Larry

Rather than switch to manual brakes have you looked into a vacuum pump? Moroso makes a really nice one and I believe would end up cheaper in the long run.

You can also get a vacuum pump from Master Power

Has anyone tried one of the vacuum pumps from a late-model GM 4 banger? Some of these pumps look similar to the MP pumps.

69er take a piece of advise save your self alot of trouble and just add a vacume resivor there are sevral out there just look in summit or jegs this will allow the reserved vacume for the brakes. good luck greg momtgomery.

Same problem dude. I have a friend that converted his 79' camaro drag car to manual steering and brakes. He sourced his, mostly bolt on parts, from a nova. I'm waiting on him to get back in town to figure what year nova it was. If your thinking like me a vacuum resivoir is a step in the wrong direction, I'm trying to take weight off of my car(late 70's camaros are tanks) so the last thing I want to do is add something I don't really need. I haven't started on my brakes yet, but I do know that he had to fabricate a bracket to hold his brake rod in place. I'll post more info when I track him down and find out exactly what needs to be done.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Here's what I did: I found a 72 Camaro with a manual brake set up completely intact. I used the brake pedal, warning light switch mounting bracket, and the front lines, (which are coiled differently). I'll be getting a new master cylinder, which I found out from other posts that the bore is a bit bigger to help boost pressure to the wheels. The donor car also answered my question as to how the master cylinder linkage is attached to the brake pedal. There is a "cage" that crimps around the rear of the master cylinder. This is what holds the rod in place.

Larry

Correction on the master cylinder bore size. It should be smaller.

Larry