Stop quickly, and offer brake advice

[zerfetzen]

I have some brake questions, regarding interchangeability.  I have a 74 Barracuda, but it now has a 440 in it.

Long term goal:
Update brake system to 4-wheel disc brakes, probably something affordable like Willwood (or whatever they're called).

Immediate goal:
Allow me to drive it safely, by replacing whatever parts I can cheaply.

If this were bone stock like my last one, the answer is simple, figure out what it has from the factory, and replace what's necessary.  But since this has a 440 in it, is it even safe to drive with factory brake specs?  If not, what should I do to get me by until I can afford an entire brake system?

Symptom:
The brakes in my previous 73 Cuda were top notch, and there was good pressure right when you put your foot on it.  The brakes on my 74 don't seem to work until you've pushed so far you swear there can't be a half-inch left in the pedal.  The rear half of the master cylinder is about half-empty.  I was thinking of filling that up (gently so no air gets in), then start by replacing rear pads with stock ones, and figuring it out from there.  Is that what you would do?  Thanks.

[Bullitt-]

only thing I have been able to find are BAER stock replacement rotors about $300. I can't even find any upgrade pads for '73-'74 Plenty of stuff for 70-72. could change spidles I guess.

[Chryco Psycho]

if the rear brakes are out of adjustment , worn but not adjusted up the pedal wil be low , try that first
 is the pedal Hard when it does have pressure ? if not you could have air in the system too & it may need bleeding out

[zerfetzen]

I thought I heard somewhere that having a large cam affects your brakes?  Is that right?  Mine is a Comp .545 lift and 285/297 duration.

[Chryco Psycho]

low manifold vacuum can reduce brake effectivness with power brakes & your cam seems to be big enough to have an effect

[Bullitt-]

IF this is the problem there are vacuum reservoirs avail. from places Like Summit Racing

[zerfetzen]

Thanks guys, I'll try this and redoing the brake pads back there first:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CCA%2D5201&N=%2D45701+115&autoview=sku

And I hook this up between the carb vacuum out and power brake vacuum in, right?

[Bullitt-]

I would think so(probably comes w/inst.) but why are you running Carb vacuum and not Intake vacuum to your brake booster? I have a small block & it's OE setup is intake. I believe I read somewhere that you get better, maybe just more consistent, vac. from the intake. 

[zerfetzen]

I just got this car a couple weeks ago, so I'm also just trying to learn about it.  I could be wrong, but could've sworn the back of the Holley 750dp had a vacuum line going out and to the power steering.  There might also be an intake vacuum line that joins into the same, but I'll just have to uncover the car and take a look.  So far I can't drive it (though it runs great), as I'm waiting to get it insured and registered, etc.

Thanks for mentioning that, I'll definitely look into it.  It makes more sense to take the vacuum straight from the intake, but could've sworn.

[Street_Challenged73]

They also have electrical vacuum canisters available if you want....They're more expensive than the standard ones, but then you'd have enough vacuum to use in case the engine ever stalled on you.  Just a thought...It would probably be overkill, but you can never be too safe when it comes to these cars.

[zerfetzen]

Thanks, glad you said that just before I bought it, I'm a big fan of overkill for safety's sake.

[Street_Challenged73]

Hmm, hopefully you can find one now.  I remember hearing about them a while ago, but I just did a search in Summit and only came up with the regular canisters.  I'll try to find where I saw them and post the link here for you.
Here's what I was thinking about:  http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SSB%2D28146&N=4294922533+115&autoview=sku (SSB unit) &   http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?Ntt=Vacuum+pump&N=115+4294922533&Ntk=KeywordSearch (page with all the pumps listed)
It's called a vacuum pump, not really a vacuum canister like I previously stated.   The pricing is quite a large change from the $64.00 canisters, but apparently someone else on Hot Rod Forum had some problems with a 440 in his Charger that didn't like the canister: http://forums.hotrod.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=118355&an=0&page=0

[zerfetzen]

Thanks Street Challenged, good stuff.  A friend recommended if I want a street/strip car, to eventually change to manual brakes (eliminate hp pull on the motor, and any vacuum worries), and change to 4-wheel disc brakes.  In the end, do you also think that's the way to go?  Thanks.

[Street_Challenged73]

I am not too familiar with power to manual brake conversions, though I've thought about it at times just in case my cam/engine combo is too aggressive for a  vacuum-assisted brake system. (plus you get a little more pedal feel with manuals)  I'd say the four wheel disc brake setup would be a great step for sure.  See what Chryco or any others have to say. (maybe create another topic with power brakes to manual and see what they say.)