[ctmadbob]

Hi all - just bought a 68 camaro SS with manual brakes. Previous owner replaced ms/shoes/wheel cylinders. Everything looks to be correctly done but it feels like driving a car with power brakes that isn't running. I have to put a lot of pressure on the pedal to get anything to happen. I looked at the rod connected to the pedal and it is in the top hole, is this correct? Wrong master cyl? Ideas?

Bob

[Andrew69]

The top hole in the brake pedal is correct. We cannot tell which master cylinder you might have, but it could be incorrect. You might have air in the lines and need to bleed the brakes including the master cylinder. Otherwise, you do have 4-wheel drum brakes and they are not going to feel like your other cars with disc brakes.

Welcome to T/C.

[parkbrau]

And welcome to TC Bob.

[Moonpie]

Try and find a manufacturer's name or part number on the master cylinder and see if you can find out what diameter the piston hole is. If it is too big brake effort and effect will be just as you described. I have a 7/8 inch bore on my manual setup.

[captcanuck68]

Welcome to the TC Crew, Bob...and welcome to 60's technology.

Get yourself a set of decent front discs. It will be the best mod you will ever do for the car. You may get used to manual brakes in time...but why go half way with the only discs...throw in a power system as well, eh? But this will mean other changes as well. Check out the archives to see what others have thought of this, and steps taken.

capt

[MaxR]

i wouldn't trust some moronic grease monkey. you need to do it yourself. its the only way. you need to buy a service manual and investigate, research, develop, test then tune. you have much work ahead son.

[ctmadbob]

Thanks for the replies and the welcome. I have owned several early camaros but none in the last 20 years. My memory of standard brake cars was that they are adequate for low performance applications. Is standard ms for drum brakes 7/8" bore? Are these available cuz all I see are 1" bore ms for sale for non PB cars. My car stops straight with a firm pedal...I don't think I have air in the lines. I would love to put modern disc brakes on it, but, I have stocker wheels with small hubcaps and I don't want to switch wheels. I am unaware of any disc brake setup that will fit my FC 14" wheels anyway.

Thanks, Bob

[KevinW]

Make sure the shoes are mounted correctly (short shoe in the front if I remember correctly). Adding a power booster and power master cyl will do wonders for the drum brakes (that is what I did!) I have XN rallys now and going to FCs in the future.

[Garfields Maro]

1" bore MC is standard for non-power drum....http://www.camaros.org/suspen.shtml#Brakes

If the brakes were done recently, may need some time for shoes to seat....drums resurfaced ?

Yeah, I'd say for most any Camaro application, non-power, 4whl drums are borderline at best....

[ctmadbob]

It looks like the ms is correct and the drums were resurfaced, new lines etc. I may try the power assist until I can find a disc setup that will work with these original wheels.
Thanks, Bob
68 camaro SS350 - 4 speed - 12 bolt - plain jane