Jason Coupe DeVille Resto - Rebuilt Original Power Brake Booster and Master Cylinder Installed

[Jason Edge]

I've had a newer aftermarket power brake booster and master cylinder in my 64 Coupe DeVille the past few years and it has very few miles (and on the way to good home now), and has been a great brake setup, but as I continue to restore my car to an "Original Look" this was one of the areas I wanted to return to original in appearance.   It is also one of the areas I would get dinged a point or two when I take the car to the Grand National for Judging, and I  just like the original setup better anyway! I've had an original rebuilt Delco Morraine waiting to go in my 64 for well over a year and finally got around to installing it this week.

According to the shop manual the Delco Morraine is zinc plated. It doesn't list it as yellow zinc or silver zinc.  My booster and master cylinder came silver-grey which is the natural color of zinc anyway so I think I'm in the ballpark!  Also looking at Fig 6-10 in the shop manual the cap looks a little lighter and the hold down clamp is black.  The cover was scruffed up a bit anyway and painted it with the Tank Tone paint I bought from Eastwood sometime back, and painted the hold down clamp black. I put a washer beneath it to protect the paint until it cures more.

I have a car show this weekend and was a bit nervous about removing and replacing the brakes booster and master cylinder, but all is installed, brake system has been bled and all is working perfectly!  I used a vacuum pump to bleed the brakes which was a first for me, and now I'm asking myself why I didn't use this method 30 years ago!

 Below are pictures of the aftermarket setup I have had in the car, the rebuilt original Delco Morraine setup I've had waiting in the wings for over a year to installed, and everything installed in the car and ready for this weekend's meet-up and car show with the NC Eastern CLC Members in Clayton, NC.

 

 

 

 

[Bruce Bembenista]

To Jason:

Could you share your “newer aftermarket power brake booster and master cylinder in my 64 Coupe DeVille” details?

[Mike Travers]

Yes, I found out that it is indeed hard (impossible) to find a good new brake booster for our '63s. I ended up rebuilding my Delco style booster with the new rebuild parts and it works great. Those boosters are relatively easy to rebuild. I even made my own tool to spin the two shells apart on the booster. Anyone in the club needing that tool is welcome to borrow mine. I'd even be willing to share my rebuilding experience, as long as this old brain can remember the procedure.  :-)

[Eunan]

There are a bunch of venders that say their booster will fit a 63. I ordered 4 and none fit, had to eat the cost of return shipping each time even after been assured it would fit.

Looks like the only way is to rebuild the one you have. Or buy a rebuilt one

let us know if you find one.

[Bruce Bembenista]

My ‘63 DeVille had the Bendix set up. No repair kit is available so, i too purchased the Cardone  remanufactured 54-71301 and an AC Delco master cylinder: AC 18M1058. The combination bolted up without modifications. We believe the booster has an internal valve failure as determined by the Cardone service tech line. Although it is covered by warranty, no replacements are available. The OhOhOh O’Reilly brand “BrakeBest” is same part number. Is there an alternative booster that will fit this application?

[Eunan]

Finally got my brake booter installed.

Note: THE 64 DEVILLE BRAKE BOOSTER WILL NOT FIT ON A 63 DEVILLE without modifying the car or booster

I ended up over sizing the holes on the firewall and brake pedal bracket and then adding washers.

The large center hole and master cylinder didn't need any modifications  

If I had this information before I bought the 64 booter I would not have done so, hopefully this can helps somebody else out there.

[Eunan]

Will do.

Hopefully I get the booster installed in coming weeks...

[Mike Travers]

Eunan - Thanks for the reply. Your information is indeed very helpful. Jason got me fixed up with a rebuildable unit but I may still purchase a new unit from O'Reilly. Please keep me posted once you install yours so I can check on the fit & finish.

[Eunan]

Yes,

Mike, yes, I found the Delco brake booster.

I have a 63 Deville but the 64 booter will work,

I have not installed it yet, but it should be good the first one I got was assembled sideways so had to order it again. 

I got it at Oreilly Autoparts you have to be careful ordering it won't come up in their system.

They have to order direct form the vender some of the workers have no idea how to, so you have to find the right person i went to 3 stores before they ordered the booster.

The Part number is 54-71301 

Hope this helps...

 

[Mike Travers]

Eunan - Did you ever find a 64 Delco booster? I'm in need of a Delco booster for my '63 but it sounds like a 64 Delco would work, as well.

[Eunan]

Yes, that's the information I needed. I ordered a 64 booster (Delco) but the measurements at the fire wall were 3 9/16" side to side and 3 3/4" top to bottom. So, I'm guessing jurying assembly the casing got put together wrong

I've ordered another booster hopefully the next one fits 

Thank you for the information very helpful...