Re: Bendix Treadle Vac, Myths, Fiction and Facts

Posted by fredkanter On 2017/3/2 9:40:45

Understood, my recall of our '55 Lincoln goes back to 1958 when it was out father's everyday car. There is a scary BTV story with it also but not the usual kind. The mechanic at our gas station topped it up with motor oil!!??!! and while going down a long incline with my father driving the brakes and almost my heart failed.

MY terminology: The BTV and all modern PB systems are DIRECT sysyems, pedal effort is directly applied to then master cyl portion. Cadillac, Studebaker etc Hydrovac/MasterVac etc are RELAY systems, pedal effort is converted into unboosted hydraulic pressure which is relayed to a vacuum powered booster unit.

In order have a RELAY style dual system in a Packard you would need a dual mater cylinder most likely under the floor where the 35-56 manual master cylinders are located. Simplest way is to use the pedal/linkage from a 51-56 manual brake Packard but those don't grow on trees anymore. A modern "hot rod" underfloor unit may be the answer.
Any manual master cyl needs a "lever " linkage to increase pedal effort. ( More thinking needed ??) Then you have 2 high pressure outlets , one for front, one for rear. Then you need TWO RELAY type booster units like the Hydrovac. Gettin' a bit crowded under the hood, might have to scrap that supercharger idea.

At Kanter Auto Products we're never asleep, stay tuned.