Master cylinder on 68-74 nova
 

What master cylinder are you guys using? Stock?Aftermarket??? My car currently has 4 wheel drums and I am planning to go all disk, or atleast the rear brakes.. I have never been able to get a good pedal in this car even after trying multiple master cylinders.. My dads camaro is 4 wheel drums and it has killer brakes on it.. I am putting all new brake lines, proportioning valve(after market) so hopefully a good pedal will follow.. LOL

Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova
 

If the car originally had power brakes, be sure that the master cylinder rod is connected to the upper hole in the brake pedal. It makes a significant difference in pedal ratio and is commonly missed when power-to-manual conversions are performed. I've got 4-wheel drums on my car and they do a very good job as well.

Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova
 

If I were putting disc brakes on one end, it would be the front, not the rear.

We used to use the early S-10 quick take up aluminum master cylinder very successfully. You have to have the ability to put metric fittings on your lines, or find the correct adapters. I used a Wilwood adjustable proportioning valve.

By all means, make sure to positively retain the brake pedal to master cylinder pushrod. Do not run it with excessive slack trying to reduce drag, it doesn't really help, and it will only cause an accident later. I suggest a nylock style jam nut on the adjuster.

Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova
 

Also be very sure to use the factory cup shaped retainer (or equivalent) at the back of the master cylinder which fits into a groove around the perimeter of the hole, and can't go through the firewall. It retains the pushrod positively. See the thread on Ken Etter.

Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova
 

I use the chrysler style alum m/c with the plastic reservoir on my 71'.had to drill mounting holes larger and it slid onto the factory studs and i used my factory pushrod
scott fifield

Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova
 

How tight do you have the shoes set?

If you have the shoes backed off to get the drag reduced, you'll have a fair pedal drop before you get a firm pedal.

Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova
 

I havent touched the brake pedal hole, makes me wonder if this is my problem, the pedal goes way down before it starts getting stiff (almost like the rod sits away from the master cylinder) it goes over halfway down before I get a pedal.. I will look at this next time I am out in the shop.. The car has always been manual brakes since I have owned it...

Re: Master cylinder on 68-74 nova
 

Are you using a portioning valve and a residual valve? I use a 2 lb residual valve on the back brakes. The pedal situation will go away.