1957 Ford Thunderbird power brake booster

[Pat's 52]

I just purchased a 1957 Thunderbird. The power brake booster was disconnected. I just sent it to White Post to be rebuilt. I want to know where the vacuum hose is connected to get vacuum. It was disconnected when I bought it and really not sure where to make the connection. A picture would really help. Thank you in advance.

Pat

 

[slumlord44]

the port in the carb base.

 

[paul2748]

I'm not sure, but I think it was plumbed into a vacuum port at the rear of the intake manifold.

 

[dmsfrr]

There should be a vacuum fitting on the rear of the driver's side of the intake manifold,
with a 3/8(?) dia metal tube going forward around the front of the valve cover.
.

 

[Pat's 52]

Thank you very much.

 

[dmsfrr]

Better closeup photos of the vacuum fitting that goes into the rear of the intake manifold, in case yours is missing, so you'll know what it looks like. These are available as new / reproduction parts.

Both tubes have 'flare' style ends into this fitting. The larger tube is for the power brake booster. The smaller tube is the line to the vacuum booster at the top of the fuel pump, for the windshield wipers.
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[Pat's 52]

Dmsffr, thank you for showing the fitting. I've been getting parts from Concours Auto Parts. Is that where I should get the fitting. I want to keep this as original as possible. I bought the car from the original owner. She is 91 years old and her father gave her the car as a gift in May of 1957.

Pat

 

[dmsfrr]

Concours, Casco or Hill's... whoever has one on the shelf ready for you.
If you need the steel vac tubes for over the engine they should have those also.

FYI, the fitting comes in two pieces so you can install the main part into the manifold first then screw the smaller piece into it, because the road-draft tube will be in the way.

The vacuum fitting in the (comment #6) photos above may not be oem parts. I got a pair of them, one came from Casco, the other from ebay, claiming to be oem. The broken one on the car when I got it was made from brazed together plumbing fittings from the hardware store.
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[Pat's 52]

dmsffr, Did you splice into the fuel pump vacuum? If so could you send some photos showing how you split it. I thought the manifold fitting is where the vacuum came from. I'm stumped because the booster was disconnected when I bought it.

Thank you, Pat

 

[dmsfrr]

The 'split' for the two vacuum lines is the the brass fitting that screws into the back of the intake manifold. (photo #1 below)
The larger line goes directly to the power brake booster, only.
The smaller line goes directly to the top of a dual diaphragm fuel pump and the vacuum booster built into it. (photos #2 & 3)

In photo 4 you'll see a small part of the old mess left me by a previous owner...
The vacuum lines to/from the fuel pump almost look correct but are connected on the fuel pump backwards, and the rubber line from the fuel pump back into the firewall 'should' be metal until it passes the carb. This vacuum circuit powers the windshield wipers and Tee's under the dashboard to some control valves for the heater. (but I believe the hole in the firewall it passes thru in this photo isn't the 'correct' one)

In the last fuzzy photo (a neighbors '57 getting a water pump) you can notice the two smaller metal vacuum lines on the fuel pump are separate from, but run roughly parallel to, the larger vacuum line to the brake booster.
.

 

[Pat's 52]

dmsfrr, thank you for all your help. Have a "Happy Thanksgiving "!

Pat

 

[Bleach]

Does anyone know where I can get this fitting? I'm adding this type of brake booster to my 56 Fairlane.

 

[dmsfrr]

Does anyone know where I can get this fitting? I'm adding this type of brake booster to my 56 Fairlane.

I got a pair of them, one came from Casco, the other from ebay, ...

The base part number is 354447 and it comes in two pieces.
You have to specifically ask/look for a '57 part as the '55 & '56 are different.
Enter the part number in the search box (upper right corner of the page) at this link to see your choices.
But I suggest ordering over the phone to increase the chances of getting the parts you want.

http://www.classictbird.com/searchprods.asp

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dmsffr, Did you splice into the fuel pump vacuum? If so could you send some photos showing how you split it. I thought the manifold fitting is where the vacuum came from. I'm stumped because the booster was disconnected when I bought it.
Thank you, Pat

You're welcome. Happy Thanksgiving to you too, and
here's another / better photo...

 

[Bleach]

Thanksdmsfrr for your help and great advice. I'm just too used to just ordering things without speaking with anyone in person anymore unless I go into an actual parts store. It seems I only go into such places for oil and filters since they never seem to have any parts in stock that I need.

 

[dmsfrr]

Thanksdmsfrr for your help and great advice. I'm just too used to just ordering things without speaking with anyone in person ...

You're welcome, no problem. (I'm doing this to avoid peeling potatoes, successfully, so far)

The restoration places (Hills, Casco, Prestige, etc.) that sell parts and also have an In-House shop usually have an inventory of good used parts that aren't shown in their online catalogs.
and you can very easily miss things in some catalogs.

You'll have better luck finding odd things if you talk directly with one of the folks who is intimately familiar with their inventory.
The Tech Support folks who work on the shop floor are very helpful too, especially if the part you want is missing and you have no clue what you're looking for.
Even if they don't have it you can often at least get the part number (if you didn't have it).
.

 

[KULTULZ]

Here is a good source- http://www.plews-edelmann.com/assets/1/7/AutomotiveFittings_90078.pdf

Usually a larger NAPA store will have large lines of fittings also.

If you are doing dedicated restoration work, you need to view the MPC and get the STANDARD HARDWARE PN and then compare it to the FORD SPECIALTY CATALOG which will give full description.

 

[Pat's 52]

Dmsfrr, I just got a new oil dipstick and it not painted. Should it be painted red?

Thank you,

Pat

 

[dmsfrr]

I just looked in the big red CTCI Restoration Manual and it says the engine oil dipstick & tube was a "plain finish", not painted. If you don't want the handle to rust a flat clear or dark-ish matt gray could work, or whatever you prefer.

Had to replace this one as well, but since I'm not going *original* the tube got painted black and the handle the same red as the car. 'Ford engine red' could be another choice?

 

[Pat's 52]

Thank you, how can I get the CTCI Restoration Manual? Is there a parts manual for 57 T-Bird that would show pictures? I have the large three ring binder parts manual from 49-59. Just wondered if there might be one for the Thunderbird only.

Pat

 

[dmsfrr]

If you're a CTCI member the restoration manual is available (new) in their store, at this link.
It has lots of 'detail' pictures.
https://www.ctci.org/store.php/products/restoration-and-specifications-manual-complete-110-58fc

It can sometimes be found (used) online / ebay, etc. for less $.

CTCI also has several pages worth of Technical Manuals available...
https://www.ctci.org/store.php/categories/technical-manuals

Various: body parts, electrical equipment, shop and owners manuals (original & reproduction) can be found online as well.
The several '55/'57 Thunderbird restoration parts suppliers also have catalogs with lots of helpful diagrams and relevant part numbers.
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