Project: Rufus Restoration

[shearjs]

A while back I had a leaky hydroboost booster and made the decision to switch to manual brakes with the Wilwood m/c. I've never really been happy with the feel of the brakes since making the switch. I've had a spare booster laying around that I pulled from the local yard, so I decided to clean it up and make the switch back to power brakes. My m/c is a 1" bore, which I had for manual brakes, so I'm curious how well it's going to work with a booster. Since I have it, and it is still plumbed in, I might as well give it a shot and see how it performs. Should be getting in a couple more fittings today for the booster, and hopefully get it back together sometime this weekend. I also decided to print my own SPID sheet, just for my own reference, with old RPO codes as well as a few newer ones for upgrades. It's not perfect, but it'll do for now.

[shearjs]

...

[JRANGER]

awesome!

[mcbassin]

Awesome work on the spid! I'm going to need more info on that thing
I like the booster too. I kind of wished I would have used one on mine.

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by JRANGER

awesome!

Thanks buddy. How are things coming with the Mustang? Are you driving it regularly yet??

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Awesome work on the spid! I'm going to need more info on that thing
I like the booster too. I kind of wished I would have used one on mine.

Thanks Mike. The SPID sticker is some cheap repro I picked up from one of the big stores...LMC or Classic Parts...I can't even remember. I just referenced a list of RPO codes from here (he is a member on the forum) and googled some newer codes for engine, trans, paint, etc., then compared them to spid pictures on the forum, and went for it. I have an excel template that you're welcome to, if you'd like to make one yourself. The font isn't correct, but then again, I don't even think it really exists. It's close enough for me though. You can always add the brake booster later. I find myself doing all the things now that I wish I would have done initially.

[JRANGER]

Originally Posted by shearjs

Thanks buddy. How are things coming with the Mustang? Are you driving it regularly yet??

Disabled...Lol Getting ready to work on the cowls and front suspension so fenders are off and its just sitting under the carport. Plus now i have the 68 C20 to work on as well

[shearjs]

Looks like another package just showed up! This is something I should have planned on doing from the beginning. Thanks Kyle and Sarah. If you're looking for some a/c at a good price, check out Kyle and Sarah at Laid Back Recreations.

[shearjs]

I finally got the lines ran, and the majority of the air bled out of my power steering lines. The pedal rod needs just a bit of adjusting, buts this thing will stop on a dime now. The past few weeks I've been pulling a code for a knock sensor, so I decided to investigate. These sensors were definitely ready for a replacement. I also thought this would be a good time to go ahead and get started with some engine upgrades I have planned. Let the fun begin!

[Rusbuilt]

Cant wait to see the progress!!

[Bennett68C10]

Jason what year is that hydroboost setup out of, looks really good. Also if you don't mind me asking what was leaking on your original setup? I have the captain fab brackets too but haven't purchased a hydroboost yet, I also have a Wilwood master cylinder but with a 1.125 bore. Did you have to make any modifications to get your Wilwood master to bolt up? Can't wait to see a video of this puppy running once your done with the upgrades.

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

Cant wait to see the progress!!

Thanks buddy. Y'all getting settled in back in Knoxville yet? Has the wifey taken either of her exams yet?

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Jason what year is that hydroboost setup out of, looks really good. Also if you don't mind me asking what was leaking on your original setup? I have the captain fab brackets too but haven't purchased a hydroboost yet, I also have a Wilwood master cylinder but with a 1.125 bore. Did you have to make any modifications to get your Wilwood master to bolt up? Can't wait to see a video of this puppy running once your done with the upgrades.

The original hydro boost I had came out of the 2004 truck that the engine and trans came from. The booster I am using now was from an 03 I think. IIRC, after a particular year, they're essentially all the same, with metric fittings. If you need any of the part numbers for the adapters and fittings later, just let me know and I'll be happy to dig them up for you. The original leak I had was around the seal where the pushrod enters the back side of the booster. We ending up cutting the booster push rod and welding on a longer push rod with a clevis for adjustability. I think the O-rings likely got a little too hot and caused them to fail. The Wilwood that I have bolted right on with no issues. I think I would have bought the 1.125 bore like you did if I had ordered my m/c with the intentions of using power brakes. I'm pretty pumped to get this thing back on the road. After a cam/heads swap, it should be pretty healthy!

[Bennett68C10]

Thanks for the info Jason, I'm just trying to figure out what I'll need for the swap. If you could PM me the fittings and adapters you used I would be grateful. I have to adapt mine to the power steering rack that came with my dropmember so I'm guessing yours is a little different.

[Rusbuilt]

Originally Posted by shearjs

Thanks buddy. Y'all getting settled in back in Knoxville yet? Has the wifey taken either of her exams yet?

She takes them Thursday! We are starting to get settled in!

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Thanks for the info Jason, I'm just trying to figure out what I'll need for the swap. If you could PM me the fittings and adapters you used I would be grateful. I have to adapt mine to the power steering rack that came with my dropmember so I'm guessing yours is a little different.

I figured I'd just post the part numbers here in case any one else might need them. On the booster itself, I used two AN adapters (RUS-670531 AND RUS-670541) and left the low pressure return line as a regular rubber hose nipple. On my LS power steering pump, the pressure line was also a (RUS-670531). On the OE power steering box inlet I used (RUS-648060). All adapters are -6 AN. For the hose, I used Powerflex hose #6 - 10' (RUS-632620). All of my -6 hose ends are (RUS-620421) 90 degrees. The 45 degree hose end is (RUS-620411) if you wanted to go that route on any of them. All part numbers are for Russell Performance, which I ordered from Summit. If there's anything I left out, or any other info you may need, please let me know. For what it's worth, I did see an auction on ebay from Tallon Hydraulics that included all 3 fittings for the hydroboost if you wanted to change the return lines to stainless braided as well. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/251130424878?lpid=82 Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

She takes them Thursday! We are starting to get settled in!

Awesome! Best of luck to her!

[cubber]

I like the brake set up. I need to do something like that. My brakes are weak sometimes. Too much cam, I guess. Can you have too much cam?? lol

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by cubber

I like the brake set up. I need to do something like that. My brakes are weak sometimes. Too much cam, I guess. Can you have too much cam?? lol

Haha, no such thing as too much cam. Bout to swap in a new cam myself, so figured the hydroboost couldn't hurt.

[shearjs]

Accumulating quite the stack of new parts. Time to get some of these under the hood.

[Rusbuilt]

Sweet!!!

[Bennett68C10]

Thanks for the part numbers Jason, nice bench full of parts you have, your truck is going to be a beast

[screaminchevypickup]

Looking good Jason!! Lots of nice upgrades.. Thanks for the business also!!

[mcbassin]

Awesome progress and some really nice looking parts!

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

Sweet!!!

Thanks buddy! Have you had any luck selling your 6.0?

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Thanks for the part numbers Jason, nice bench full of parts you have, your truck is going to be a beast

No problem, hope the part numbers were a bit of help. If I don't get to work, I'm going to have the entire dining room table covered with parts. It does make a pretty good solid work bench though. Can't wait to hear the engine with the new cam.

Originally Posted by screaminchevypickup

Looking good Jason!! Lots of nice upgrades.. Thanks for the business also!!

Thanks Kyle. Business was a pleasure. This a/c kit sure looks nice.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Awesome progress and some really nice looking parts!

Thanks Mike. I wish I'd done a lot of this stuff in the correct order, like you are, but what would be the fun in that?

[Rusbuilt]

No sir. I'm in no hurry to sell it! Lol

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

No sir. I'm in no hurry to sell it! Lol

Can't blame ya for that!

Made a little progress last night. Got the old heater stuff removed to make room for a new Vintage A/C unit. I need to rent a pulley puller now to remove the crank pulley, to access the timing cover, and the cam will be ready to swap. After removing a couple grounds wires and the alternator bracket, the heads will be ready to come off as well. I'm not looking forward to finding a new location to mount the computer and all those wires though. On the bright side, this does at least give me a chance to clean up a little of the wiring mess that I was lazy with before.

[mcbassin]

Killer progress. I would love to have the funds for a cam swap on my lil 4.8. Keep the pics coming.