Hydroboost conversion. need help

[72ford350]

I have a 1972 F350 manual transmission with a heavily modified 390FE.  This being said I have very little manifold vacuum mostly due to the long duration and high lift camshaft.  I have searched many forums for information about this hydro-boost conversion.  Most everything I find is being used in a light truck or a baby bronco.  I would like to find the Saginaw power-steering pump model number that would have been designed for hydroboost brakes (two return lines)unsure of availibility.  Also any information about which model number of master cyl. and hyd unit driving it would be very helpful.  Most every conversion I have came across suggests using mostly GM parts with very generic descriptions.

I am not a fan of running an electric vacuum pump mostly due to the idea of using this truck to pull and stop heavy loads (I have more faith in hydraulics than electric pumps).

Basically I have the general idea of what I need to do but I lack the right information on which pieces to buy.  I would appreciate any suggestion on this conversion process for a one ton 2WD with a big block.  

Thank you for your help keeping this old truck on the road.
Dan

[JG F100]

I have a 1972 F350 manual transmission with a heavily modified 390FE.  This being said I have very little manifold vacuum mostly due to the long duration and high lift camshaft.  I have searched many forums for information about this hydro-boost conversion.  Most everything I find is being used in a light truck or a baby bronco.  I would like to find the Saginaw power-steering pump model number that would have been designed for hydroboost brakes (two return lines)unsure of availibility.  Also any information about which model number of master cyl. and hyd unit driving it would be very helpful.  Most every conversion I have came across suggests using mostly GM parts with very generic descriptions.

I am not a fan of running an electric vacuum pump mostly due to the idea of using this truck to pull and stop heavy loads (I have more faith in hydraulics than electric pumps).

Basically I have the general idea of what I need to do but I lack the right information on which pieces to buy.  I would appreciate any suggestion on this conversion process for a one ton 2WD with a big block.  

Thank you for your help keeping this old truck on the road.
Dan

I'm running a hydroboost setup on my 360FE but I'm one of the ones using mostly GM parts. The power steering pump is from an Astro van with a remote reservoir, probably should have gone with an integrated reservoir, I think I could have gotten away with it with my modified PS mount. I dont have specific part number but I remember going to the local auto part and asking for one for 1990'ish Chevy astro van, V6. Looked at it, saw the two return lines and took it home, it wasnt that expensive either. The pulley is also from something I picked up at the local pick a part, also from a GM.

Here is a pic

[elgemcdlf]

My Saginaw pump has 2 returns. Look for '76 Lincoln Continentals. I am sure there are other years but I know for a fact '76 has hydroboost on it. I am thinking about pulling the unit for my truck in case the cam when installed kills my vac.

[72ford350]

Thanks guys.  i will check out both leads.  

ill let you know what i end up with

dan

[CrypticRacer13]

   

[averagef250]

You tow heavy stuff with a gas engine lacking enough vacuum to run power brakes?

I'm all for hydroboost, but sounds like you're asking an engine built for a light car to do truck duty.

You can run any master cylinder on a hydroboost. Just takes a bit of machinework to put the mounting studs in the right place and get the pushrod sorted out. I ran a 77 Ford master on the last bump hydroboost I did. I plugged the stud holes with 1/4" pipe plugs and redrilled/tapped for the Ford spacing.

[hedz]

don't use a mercury gran marquis unit.  getting one of these to work is !@#$!@#%%.  i had a good reason asking that that article get roasted over a fire pit.  broke a arm on the back of mine trying to press out those ridiculous studs and had to get a guy to aluminum weld it back just to sit on a shelf.  and the neck on them over the pushrod hinders side to side travel more so than the other units.  also i'm  sure his engine is fine for truck duty.  i have vacuum problems and my engine can haul some heavy crap as i've found out and manage just fine with the 3 on a tree.  and my engine shuts off every once in a while when i brake too hard, due to vacuum.  i have to share my power brake with my egr line cause my carburetor is too weak sauce to have enough ports.  94 or 95 astro van hydroboost unit is fine.  there's a guy on the classicbroncos.com forum that sells them for super cheap.  that's where i got mine from.  plus astro vans are a dime a dozen in junk yards.  correct me if i'm wrong guys but doesn't the saginaw provide more line pressure for hydroboost than the original ford pump?  if so i'd say it's the better choice.  if saginaw brackets can be had cheaply i don't know where.  found a site that sells you the saginaw pump and conversion bracket.  and i can't seem to remember where i ordered my pushrod from.  someone on this forum suggested it to me.  i think it was mpbbrakes master power brakes.  good luck