Added a Bendix Hydro-vac unit to my 1948 B1

[Charles Furman]

I just added a Bendix Hydro-vac unit to my 1948 Dodge B1 4x4 woodie. What a difference it makes in stopping power. The unit is a rebuilt 1940-50's vintage. It is installed in the brake line between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders and has a vacuum hose that runs to the engine. Here are some pictures.

[Bob_Koch]

wow, I'm impressed. Didn't know about those little jewels. Good Goin Charles

[Steven Hood]

This should be added to the tech page for future reference.

[anthonyb]

Charles, How different is that unit from this one? This is a factory installed 'brake booster'. I don't recall the manufacturer but it's not Bendix.

[Rich Gengo]

I'm a mechanic for UPS and we have these on the older trucks. Keep an eye on your brake fld. When they start to go bad they suck the brake fld. out of the master cyl.

[Charles Furman]

TonyB,

Looks like a very similar unit. I suspect that the one I have is a bit smaller. It was designed for 1/2 to 1 ton trucks, where I think the one you show was on a 1 1/2 ton or bigger. Correct me if I am wrong.

Rich,

Thanks for the heads up about the fluid levels. Hopefully, since this unit was just rebuilt and I don't use the truck commercially, I won't have any trouble for a long time.

[grey beard]

Charles,

Any linkage involved, or just the two hydraulic and one vacuum line? Could it mount anywhere?

[Charles Furman]

Only requires a brake line in and a brake line out, plus a vacuum line. Could mount anywhere, but it is best to keep it reasonably close to the master cylinder.

I mounted this one on the inside fender well because all the 4x4 junk and the gas tank location made it hard to fit it underneath. I do plan to put one on my two wheel drive pilothouse woodie and that one will go underneath.

[Steven Hood]

Charles,

If I can ask, where did you find the rebuilt, vintage units? Is that an eBay item, or is somebody rebuilding them for you?

Steve

[grey beard]

Oh, Very Yes! A source for this gem would be a GOOD thiing!

[anthonyb]

I don't know where Charles got his, but the unit I had was used as a core through NAPA. I found one guy in Washington state who had a rebuild kit but he wanted over $400 for just the kit. I got a complete rebuilt unit through NAPA for about $175.

As Charles noted, mine is a fairly large unit that came from a 1 1/2 ton so it probably wouldn't fit under the hood like his did. Interesting note on the larger unit was it's vent tube. It ran from one side of the vacuum canister to a fitting under the driver's seat where it ended with a breather cap inside the cab.

[grey beard]

If memory serves, do these hydrovac units also typically use a vacuum reservoir or tank? Will they work (for more tnan one pedal applicaion) without one?

The vent into the cab was typical of that size truck - just needed a clean source of air for the intake. JMHO

[Charles Furman]

Mine do not have any external reservior or tank. It works fine and feels almost like a modern break pedal. Very solid.

I got mine from a guy in Alpine, CA near San Diego. He rebuilds these things for a living. His name is Dale McCrae. He finds old cores from various sources and rebuilts them. He doesn't always have them in stock, they kind of come and go. I was really lucky, he had two when I was looking.

Here is his info:

San Diego Power Brake

Dale McCrae

2710 Eltinge Drive

Alpine, CA 91901

619-857-5878

[Big50Dodge]

Ummm... I've got one of these (doesn't look as good as Charles') from a '63 Chebby Suburban. Wasn't thinking about keeping it.... was thinking about posting in on craigslist (CL). Mine likely (don't know) needs rebuild - to look like Charles', it definately needs paint. Any suggestions for a ball-park asking price..?