SARGE - ROAD WARRIOR

OK, here is where I am. I have ID'd the M/C - brake booster. It came off a 1970 Chevy C20 P/U. The problem is the booster is difficult to find. It's made by A1 Cardone. I called them and they wouldn't give me any info because I am not a distributor. They did say it was still in production but couldn't/wouldn't say where in the world I could find one. I have called/searched every parts house from AutoZone to Summit Racing without any luck.
Right now it appears that I will be taking it to O'Reilly's who will send it to A1 Cardone to be rebuilt. Gonna be about a week to get it back on the road.
The Booster is A1 Cardone #54-71011 M/C @ O'Reilly's NMC 21992

 

I was driving thru town when an old lady pulled into the road trying to get to the other side. I don't think she even saw me. I nailed the brakes and blew a rusted rear brake line and the pedal went to the floor. However, the proportioning valve kicked in and left me enough front brakes to stop a couple of feet away. She continued on oblivious that anything had happened. I limped home with front brakes only. This should always happen if your vehicle has a proportioning valve.

 

I wasn't far off on the master cylinder looking at the 68-72 full size GM, did you try Rock auto, I found these under 1970 Chev C 10.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=258449&cc=1029833&pt=1884
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=259151&cc=1029833&pt=1884
There is definitely more available even new.
Late edit: I should have looked for the C 20 booster, yep out of stock.
Funny thing is the Cardone part # listed for the the booster for my old 69 Impala is 5471101 vs 54-71101 for the C20.

 

I reported elsewhere my '97 Burb just did that; the passenger side spring anchor plate had a couple pounds of piled mud dirt in it that was heaped over the line, and in the bend, it rusted through. I have a new piece of NAPA armored line coming Thursday, and tomorrow, I'm hitting the junkyard for some Burb seats and axle anchor parts. I can't trust the u-bolts aren't cracked under the dirt and rust.

 

Glad to hear that everyone made it through their braking scares unscathed.

 

Only me and my laundry knew just how scared I was.

 

Sheesh, with all these brake failure storys , now ive got to get rid of that factory single reservoir cylinder in my 55 chevy...glad everyone is ok...

 

I got rid of the single pot on the Fury a few year ago. One less thing to worry about.

 

When it comes to cruising in your classic car there is NOTHING more frightening than NO BRAKES!!! I have disc brakes on both the Vette and the Wagon. Still had that Oh Shit!! Moment

 

Yes there is!! Shutting off the engine to slow it down and forgetting about the steering wheel lock.

 

I've been fortunate...so far. That's the only reason I like the lock cylinder interlock on manual trans vehicles--it prevents just that when you might have to kill the ignition while still rolling.

 

There was no steering lock in 1960...no seat belts either.

 

Oh, yeah, buuuuut...in the late Fifties to early Sixties and up, GMC had a park brake interlock on their medium and heavy-duty trucks that would keep the engine running till you set the p-brake, then it would shut off if the key was in OFF. I ran into that on a late Sixties Jimmy medium duty truck. I couldn't figure out why the ignition switch wasn't cutting off the engine, till my boss walked over, opened the door and saw I hadn't pulled the p-brake...in my defense, I simply didn't know.

 

Speaking of Parking Brakes...the Emergency Brake on Sarge needed adjusting, so I knew not to try that...It will be in service when I get back on the road.

 

Remember, check and adjust the shoes first, before checking and adjusting the p-brake. It should be able to hold the car in D with zero movement.