power brakes '66 ?

Hi,

I suspect that my 66( build date 4-12-66 in San Jose)had power brakes. The first clue was when pulling parts off to detail the engine compt. There was a hard vacuum line coming off of the manifold, it had a plug on it. Secondly when I pulled the master cylinder for rebuilding I found it to have a 7/8" bore as the power masters would.

My questions are: In all the Mustang parts catalogs I have and even at the local parts stores there is only a booster listed for pre 1/3/66. What would the differences be ? and could I use the earlier style booster and still be close to stock? I also see diferent master cylinders listed before and after this date occassionally.

I am having problems bleeding my brakes ( no pressure builds up on the pedal)and assume the master is at fault. I would also like to add the booster (if it did in fact have one as I believe)while I'm at it. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Mike  

I'm looking at the same thing.  If you go to Mustang's Plus web site (www.mustangsplus.com) they have the singel or dual master cly. for 379.95.  I would go with the dual for safety.  I'm sure that the other sites also have them, so check pricing.  I  have a San Jose coupe with a build date of June, 11 (11 ***  I'm pretty sure this will fit, but if you are doing a concourse car, you will have to research to see what the difference is for the later year units.  Please advise what you decide!  Mel  

Get the Dual and no Power Booster...you do not need it. I have a 66  with a dual and 13" Disc in Front and 12" Disc in rear...No Problems stopping and great feel in the pedal...

I suspect that your car neve had a powere booster and what you have on the car is a booster that was not originally installed in the car... A lot of butchers out there that put cars together to sell....  

I agree with ftelenta. You probably don't need power. The '66 car is light and with disc brakes up front and a dual M/C you should be good to go as-is.
You have better brake "feel" without the power booster too.
I own a factory built '66 GT with discs. I converted to a dual M/C during the resto process and find the car brakes really well with not that much pedal pressure required.  

I thought from reading the post that he wanted to restore the car to the factory correct power brake set up!  It didn't appear the he was asking about function. Did I miss the point?    

Nope ,you are correct. I am looking for information on the correct booster. I should add that my car is an all drum setup. I suspect it may have been power due to the hard vacuum line coming off of the intake and passing over the rear of the left valve cover. Also there was the power style master, no booster was on the car . I suspect it may have been taken because of it's rarity .

I may also consider the disc coversion as mentioned. For now I would like to see about a factory power drum setup first. I know they are available , but the date issue confuses me.

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming,

Mike  

OK. that's what I thought!  I'm not sure BUT the shop manual lists 2 units for the '66.  One is a Bendix unit and the other is a Midland-Ross.  That MAY be the difference. Again look at a cross reference and see that was used in the Falcon, Comet, Fairlane etc. If you access to the MCA data base I'm sure they can set it straight.  There might even be someone on the sight that can talk to a gold level judge?  I'm sure the info is available.  You might even write to Mustang Monthly "resto roundup" I'm sure they can answer the question!  Mel  

My early 66 coupe (nov 65) has the Bendix booster. jlg