[engineer9]

Just finished a complete master cylinder and wheel cylinder rebuild on my 62 Cat...found brake fluid in the vacuum booster. After putting everything back together, bleeding, and adjusting shoes (drum-type), the brakes are acting strange: sometimes the vacuum booster appears to be working and at other times I have to stand on the brake pedal to get the car to stop. Can brake fluid damage something in the booster? If so, what? Can anyone recommend where I can get a vacuum booster rebuild kit or a rebuilt unit? The brake system is an OEM Bendix unit with a 4-bolt master cylinder pattern.

[lilabner]

Same problem in my 61 Cat, as far as standing on the brakes go. First, did you radius the shoes to the drum? Very important. There is another thread on that and a member even bought a brake shoe arc machine. Temperature plays a big role, especially in Fla. I use Dot 4 +200 fluid. I had my booster rebuilt by a guy on the west coast of Fla. I also thought the rod to the pedal was too short, because the pedal would go to about a fingers width from the floor. I bought a longer clevis, modified it a little, and screwed it on. Now I have plenty of pedal and pretty good brakes.

[gary bennett]

i used booster dewey. google him. to do a test motor not running hold your foot down on brake pedal, start the motor, the pedal should go down a little toward the floor if the booster is working correctly

[stevep]

I send my boosters to Ed Strain in Pinellas Park Fla.

[lilabner]

Originally Posted by stevep

I send my boosters to Ed Strain in Pinellas Park Fla.

That's the guy that did mine. Fast turnaround too.