Hydrovac Brake Booster

Hi Guys. Anyone heard of these (or better still have one they want to loan me - permanently) for my 1942 Ford semi trailer bus restoration. I've never heard of them, but they are in the book. Thanks. Rod.

Had one on my Mini back in the day, popular with those old cars with feeble unboosted drum brakes.
Once the vacuum brake booster/master cylinder combo we see everywhere became standard fitment, Hydrovacs were forgotten.
I think there's now only 2-sizes available.
Bit of a pain to bleed so siting the unit properly is paramount.

Other thing I hate about them is that when the seal fails, the vacuum sucks the brake fluid out and you have no brakes, and because the brake fluid ends up in the vacuum chamber there is no tell tale oil leaks.

Other thing I hate about them is that when the seal fails, the vacuum sucks the brake fluid out and you have no brakes, and because the brake fluid ends up in the vacuum chamber there is no tell tale oil leaks.

Yep! Been there; done that! Dodge 200 ex- PMG. Took a whole bottle of brake fluid over a month or so before I worked it out. (PBR VH-40)

ASW.

ok guys. AS I know jack sh*t about this subject, would a Remote Vacuum Booster be suitable?

I found this and it looks simple enough.

dave78chieftain.zxq.net/HydroVac_brakes.html

If you follow the link to the Stovebolt page, there's a bit more there too.

Charger

If you can put on a remote vacuum booster it is the go. I have put them on my Dodge Weapon Carriers and a Blitz. On those vehicles it takes under an hour by any home handyman.

The difference is a choice of applying in writing 24 hours in advance for permission to stop or having brakes as good as a modern Landcruiser - it is that dramatic a change.

If the Ford can be set up with a standard master cylinder without the hydrovac system you can put in a remote.

Lang

The difference is a choice of applying in writing 24 hours in advance for permission to stop or having brakes as good as a modern Landcruiser - it is that dramatic a change.

Thanks Lang. I've heard that. And with my semi-trailer brakes, (which are solely hand lever operated) I've heard it's 30days... :-[

Thanks DD. Great info.
Rod.