Re: HOLY S#$%&T BRAKE FAILURE!

Posted by PackardV8 On 2014/12/24 0:38:51

Short version, NOT Packard specific but general US auto production:
The BTV was one of the first WIDELY used PRODUCTION powerbrake units. It had to fit to a PREwar PLATFORM that was not ever developed with power in mind. A prewar platform that was carried over well into themid 50's. Not until about 58 or 59 did the general platform of the US automobile become redisigned for low, wide stance necessary to accomodate the Interstate hiway system that was just barely in the planning stage mid 1950's. By 58 or 59 WIDE V8 engines, 70 to 120 mph SUSTAINED speeds etc etc etc. that did NOT exist nore was necessarry for the prewar carr and its carry over into the early 50's.

So the BTV was a "get me thru the nite" kind of make shift, shoehorn SOMETHING into an OLD design until we can do better.

The BTV is a short service life, high maintenance (or in plain english a piece of shit) very early attempt at power brakes.

THe Compensator valve that Ross speaks of above is the sore spot of the BTV. Unless one has disassembled a WIDE variety of master cylinders from a WIDE VARIETY of mfg'ers over a WIDE raange of years then one can not understand the shortcomming of the BTV.

THe BTV master cylinder is a PECULIAR desiggn of unorthodoxyy in the world of automobile master cylinders taaken from the midd 1920's TO DATE!