I've got a 66 with manual drum brakes and a single master cylinder. I'm not concerned about originality, and wouldn't be able to go with power disc brakes or anything like that for quite a while. I am swapping frames, however, and will probably go with new brake lines at that time. My question is:

Is there any advantage -- performance or safety -- to going with a double master cylinder, and...

Is that something that would easily bolt up and hook up? Or is it more complicated thant that. I mean can I just take the single off and hook the double up?

Thank you.
Ed.

Absolutely go with the dual circuit cylinder and distribution block. If you ever pop a wheel cylinder or hose on the old system you have zero brakes left. With the dual circuit system you have some brakes still. I have had failures with both systems and really prefer the dual. You should be able to use hardware specified for a 67 model, as I think that is the first year for the dual system.

Thanks. That's what I was hoping for. Someone had told me the single was sort of a precarious thing if something failed, but I wasn't sure how involved upgrading it would be. I am -- as I'm betting everyone here is -- over budget, but it'd suck to put a bunch of money into it and then have the brakes fail on me.

Ed. JWagner is absolutely right. Do a search in the brake archives and you will find a lot of information.

Up front I just wanted to point out 2 things. The distribution block JWagner speaks about is different from the one you have now because the (new) 2 circuits will be separated! Second, the 67 models had 2 pistons in the caliper, whereas the later models have one. Perhaps they are easier to find and to maintain along the way.

Rob

my '66 use's spindles/callipers, booster/master and proportioning valve from '69, make sure you get a proportioning valve and not just a dual-distribution block off a drum brake car ,if you go for disc's that is.