Ken,
I also have a 56 Dodge, and am considering the same conversion. I asked a
brake rebuilder/vendor at Hershey this same question just last week. I was
guessing that the first dual masters used in 1967 or so may have been
designed to fit on the same mounting pattern as the old singles. He told me
that they are indeed the same, and that the master rod may even be the same
style (and length? Different applications may have different lengths.).
These are readilly available and cheap at most auto stores. You need a
non-disk brake master (no proportioning valve needed) for a 1966 to about
1971 car. Could it really be this easy???
If you want to use the 56 original power brake setup with the bellows style
booster, you will need the bellows, mounting plates for bellows and master,
pedal mounting bracket and pedal assembly from under the dash, vacuum
storage tank, and vacuum fitting from the intake manifold. The master does
not need to be changed (or you could use a dual). Power brakes make a huge
difference in drivability. Modern brake shoe linings do not stop the same as
the old asbestos linings, and require higher pedal pressures without power
assist. This is what I did to my car.
The late 60's inline booster and master combination may also fit, if you
want this style.
I am still doing research and have not yet tried any of the dual master
stuff yet, so this is all still unconfirmed.
Dave Homstad
56 Dodge D500
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At 04:25 PM 10/7/98 -0600, you wrote:
>I am restoring a 1956 Dodge. I want to keep the Lockheed style drum brakes
>but want to convert to power brakes with a dual master cylinder.
>
>What years of cars had dual master cylinders and drum front and rear brakes?
>Will a proportioning valve allow disk brake master cylinders to be used with
>drum brakes without propelling the driver through the windshield? What are
>the issues in a conversion I propose that I should account for?
>
>
Dave
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