Brake master question

[Eriks]

Hi, I recently joined the 510 community and have a sedan and a wagon. Allegedly they are both 71models, yet I've noticed that the brake masters look different. The sedan has this neat layout:

 

 

... while in the wagon the master is mounted on this black bulky thing:

 

 

And I wonder what that thing adds to the master... 

 

Appreciate your feedback on this, thanks.

[Draker]

That second one is a brake booster from a B210. It's added to assist with braking. It's not stock and it's worth around $120.

[Draker]

And are pretty sought after.

[Eriks]

Is brake booster the same as power brake? If so, I guess it can be seen as an upgrade to have it?

[thisismatt]

Yes. Power brakes = brake booster. The booster has a diaphram that is actuated by intake vacuum to assist brake pedal pressure. Is the booster vacuum line hooked up? If not, then the booster does nothing. The brakes should feel noticeably different with a booster than without.

[Eriks]

Thanks for good information :)

 

Can you take the brake booster from a B210 and bolt it right into a 510 ?

[thisismatt]

Yes, as long as you grab those two aluminum spacers (the large square-ish one between the firewall and the booster, and the diamond-ish one that goes between the booster and the brake master cylinder).  You'll also need the vacuum line hooked up and the one-way valve that goes in-line.  Off the top of my head I can't remember for sure if the stock push rod between the pedal and booster requires modification or not.  Maybe someone else will chime in.

[datzenmike]

Maybe not all but the boosters I have, the pushrod is attached to it. You can swap a different clevis on the end though to fit the particular pedal.

[thisismatt]

Right, that's correct.  I forgot about that.

[edekalil]

I believe I have one of these booster set up I got way back at the house. Went home and found two.