VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 1950 Chevy brake improvements

I have a 50 Chevy wagon I am going to replace the complete rearend from a 54 Chevy to gain the higher speed power guild gearing and improved brakes. I would like to replace the front brakes with 54 Chevy brakes and get away from the old huck brakes. Can I replace the complete spindles,backing plates,wheel cyclinders and shoes from a 54 to my 50?? Thanks for any and all information. Opie

Yes you can do that , replace the backing plates out, You don't have to use those from a 54, they changed in 1951, you may not have to replace the spindles. I haven't had a Chevy with juice brakes before 1951 and didn't realize that the old huck brakes were all that bad.

It will be necessary to use 1951 and up spindles on your 1950.The king pin supports are the same but the spindles have a different part number.I am not sure as to what the difference is but proceed with caution.The front hubs are also different.The '51 and up drums have a smaller center pilot hole.This will make using 51 & up rear axles necessary but that should be no problem as your changing the complete rear end.To further enhance the 51 brakes you can install a 53-54 master cylinder.It is 7/8" rather than 1" .This change was done in '53 for eaiser brake force on pedal.(yes,a smaller m/cyl. requires less force.)The Huck brakes became less effective on the 49-50 cars .On my '50 they are no better than the mechanicals on my '34.I am planning on adding a hydrovac to mine to improve the brakes.Chevrolet offered a Hydrovac as a dealer installed power brake option in 1954-57.In 1955 they offered a retrofit kit to install a hydrovac on 1951-53.You will also need 51 hoses to do the change over.

Thanks Gene, I know a 51 will fit a 54 all the way but never worked on a 49 or 50 in last 30 years. I would not worry about changeing the master cylinder if your old one is good, it is a pain to change for no more good than they do. ( but if your legs aren't full strength you may can see a difference, I can't.) With a smaller cylinder you apply less force but it requires a longer stroke. A hydravac, could be the easy way to go, they are pretty simple to install, you will need a kit or a donor truck for parts. a rebuilt one should cost about $250 exchange, I would get a modern one so that parts are available.

The customers really complained about the 49-50 brakes.When the 51 Bendix came out they thought that they weren't much better.The smaller master cylinder change elminated the complaints.Several of the mechanics installed the '53 M'cyl. on their older models andwere happy with the results,One installed a truck (small) hydro-vac on his '50 PG for better brakes.The 3.55 rear end and loss of engine braking with the Power Glide -plus load it down with luggage-its a disaster.I want to put a wider brake pedal on mine so I can help push with my cane.

Gene, I can see where you are comeing from, I have never had a problem stomping on the brake pedal, but my wife has a problem with manual brakes. I believe a hydrovac, would work well with a larger volume master cylinder, It seems that my C6500 master cylinder is over 1 inch, you can tell when the hydralic assist isnt working, but I can still apply enough pressure to stop safely. ( maybe that is because I weigh over 250#)

I want to install a new modern unit so it will be fresh and parts available.Just hope it doesn't make brakes too touchy.My '57 with treadle-vac power brakes is really too responsive at low speeds.They do make the lousy '57 brakes dig in at higher speeds.The 57-58 brakes were a disaster at high speed due to the 14" wheels enclosing the drums.