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On my local friend Lance's 1955 Clipper Constellation, he installed (with some help from me) a replacement for the BTV that has:

1. Dual master cylinder.

2. Modern vacuum booster

3. Exactly the same brake pedal placement as the original.

What's not to like?

Here's a couple of pix of the final install. As Qs come up, I'll post the appropriate install pix as a how to. Also, I'll put the whole thing up on my 1956PackardPanther.com website.

Booster/MC/Plumbing installed from the firewall side:



Pedal mounting on the inside (passenger compartment, exactly the same location as stock brake pedal):



This is the ANSWER to the "BTV is a fatal accident waiting to happen problem"!

Craig

Wow. Very interesting.

Cannot wait to see the RHD version of the Mod.

These parts were originally from a 1979 Chevrolet Caprice. It probably is the same as those on almost any GM product of the era (Pontiac, Buick, etc.).

So, you can get parts virtually anywhere, anytime. The "trick" is to get the pedal mount, etc. from a "pick-a-part" kind of place. The rest is just install carefully and go.

As far as the brake line plumbing is concerned, I showed Lance how to do that and it turned out perfect. It's not any big deal for anyone familiar with that kind of thing.

CAKE

Craig

Craig,

Splain it to us! Things that are cake to you are sometimes like climbing Mt. Everest to "C" students like me. You have to have some more pictures of the process .....I'm certain. Remember I know you somewhat well and you have priors. Give it up!

It looks like a very good solution except for those few of us blessed with (or unfortunate enough) to have factory AC. We need that real estate and vent opening so if you could just come up with a simple workaround for that situation.

Great install. Does the car have front disks or have you addressed the check valve needed in the front port for drum brake cars.

very simple procedure!! yeah right,

I can only say one thing, Thank you Craig,

totally lost and in fear with this project with Craig's simple attitude of there are no problems only opportunities to excel. Trusting in the fact that I chose to take his word that The BTV, was not a feasable option if I wanted to feel safe with braking, not only for me, but for the people in front of me. so what then? change it out!!! YIKES!!!!! change out something I have no idea about and well have worked on projects but nothing like this. The choice was made when Craig offered his assistance and well turned out to be a very simple process.

Thanks for this!

I have been itching to go junkyarding. I am going to go out and get this set up yarded out of a 79 impala today.

Those planning this need more info. Specifically the dash to firewall support. Of which we know nothing about yet.