Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Update,
Just ordered the ABS Power Brake conversion kit. Will take a week or so to build and then it will ship out. Went with the optional black master cylinder. I will post pictures and my thoughts of it when I receive it. Then again after I install it. Won't till spring when I install it. I need to also order the front disc brake kit. I decided to go with the Wilwood disc kit.



Thanks,
Earl

I know it is early but when you start the conversion, before taking your car apart would you measure from the flat floor up to the bottom of the original pedal and maybe take before and after photos just for a way to compare how the new but shorter suspended pedal is located in position to the original. The pedal pad position was one of the items Packard stressed in their ease of operation ads and it would be nice if the positions are reasonably close to the same. When Craig did the first conversion to a modern booster the way he modified his pedal (which in the final version looked a bit like the ABS pedal) moved the foot pad quite a distance downward. Others who followed his mod said the new location works but takes getting used to. The stock location has the pad just slightly lower than the hole in the floor plate but the ABS location looks much lower.

Am also curious about the actual diameter of the new booster and length of the overall assy as to how it compares with the Treadlevac. Space between the firewall and floorplate to steering box is very limited. Unless the photos are deceiving, the black booster ABS shows on their unit looks like a different brand and smaller in diameter but longer in length than the 7" single or dual universal boosters Craig and most of the vent conversions used. It would be nice to know what ABS came up with and if they moved everything up a bit or how they positioned things to get clearance to the steering box. From what I can see the hole in the ABS plate looks roughly to be in about the same place as the stock plate. Am wondering if remaking and relocating the pedal and maybe not tilting the booster downward as much is the difference allowing their modern booster setup to work in the original space.

Attach file:

---

  plates.jpg (236.72 KB)

I do plan to take measurements of the original pedal from different locations. I plan to take the ABS plate and put it over the floor to see where their pedal location is and in relation to the OE pedal. That's my only concern, where the ABS pedal location will be. If I don't like the pedal location, I will send it back. If the location is doable, then I will proceed.

The picture definitely shows a dual booster. They are advertising it as 8" dual. I will measure when I get it. I will also measure the overall length. I plan to take pics of the two side by side and installed.

I plan to share all with the group. This could be an excellent item for the odd ball Packard setup. Also it is a direct bolt in vs installing a hanging pedal and not giving up your crotch vent. The car could easily be returned to stock.


Thanks,
Earl

I started my own thread on this conversion. I received the kit.

https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=27861&post_id=267281#forumpost267281


Thanks,
Earl