brake booster sources? Options? (1963 220S)

[DavidF]

My brake booster is shot and I can't find any rebuild kits. I can't find any replacement boosters (even if I did have the money.)

Are there any other solutions? Can I swap in a booster from a different vehicle (this is a remote booster attached to left front next to the radiator.)? If so, which vehicle?
Can I install a different system entirely? Which?
Thanks for your help. This is vexing.
David

[Pooka]

Is this a Girling or Bonaldi or what?

[DavidF]

I think the booster is an ATE T50/24

[DieselPaul]

On google that looks a lot like what's in my 190SL, which uses a T50/xx. There are rebuild kits around. Look at like buds, sl ********, etc, people who do SLs.

They're tricky to rebuild if you don't know what you are doing. I think the last 190sl booster we did the kit was around $180.

[Adv_rider]

Did you tried MB classic center?

[Adv_rider]

This may help http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/125396-ate-t50-26-servo-unit.html

[Adv_rider]

I did google and got 1963-1965 Mercedes Benz 220 Brake Booster - Centric, OE replacement, Remanufactured - JCWhitney

Note: I'm not sure if this is the correct one!

[joshhol]

Had mine rebuilt out in California not that long ago without much fuss.
If you want my mechanics info, pm me.
Assuming you'd resort to shipping it out there...

[daw_two]

I've got some sort of rebuild kit in my NOS stockpile......the last time I looked in there. If you have a part number, you might check my NOS thread.

[DavidF]

Thanks for the ideas. Still no luck on finding a kit or replacement. Will Samples said he has a few rebuild kits available and will do it for $1,100. That's too much for this car, which I hope to turn into a daily driver.

I am about to try and fit in a random hydravac unit but I can't figure out how to pick the right one. NAPA has rebuilt boosters. They have selections for inlet and outlet ports for brida invertida, 1/2, 1/4, and such. How do I make this selection?

Thanks again,
David

[Jari]

have you found a booster yet. I'm in the same situation as you with the same year and model car (63 220Sb). There seem to be Bendix Hydrovacs available as rebuilt from Cardone, but since they are for 50's trucks, they are for 4-corner drums system. I haven't found information of what is the difference between disc and drum Hydrovacs.

Also, there is a new Hydrovac available for 62-63 Studebaker Hawk and that can be selected for either drum or disc front brakes. At this point this feels to be the best way to go and it is not much more expensive than the rebuilt truck Hydrovac.

1 thing I haven't found is what is the boost ratio of these Bendix boosters. I think my original T50/26 had 1:4 or so ratio.

Thanks
Jari

[WANT '71 280SEL]

Do a search of JeffreyNMemphis. I believe he did a tutorial on how to rebuild it yourself. I'll see if I can find it...

Best Regards,

David

[WANT '71 280SEL]

This thread has quite a bit of information about rebuilding the booster yourself. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/269486-fintail-brake-booster.html

David

[cth350]

I'd suggest focusing on "solving the problem", which in this case is to upgrade to the brake system from a more recent car. That would be a swap-out of the master and such from a later W110/111 car. The booster from a 230S or so (later W111 car) should work, as would a 250s. However, it's a research project. Be careful with the parts you're removing and don't pay a fortune for what you'd pick up.

As it happens, I have a '64 220se/c parts car that has to go and it still has a master cylinder & booster in it. 10 years ago when the car last moved under its own power, the brakes worked. If you're not in a major rush, I'll make a package deal for you of the brakes off of all four wheels and that master cylinder. No clue of your rear axle can take the rear disks, but worse case, you can have that too. Am sure others will chime in if this is a viable swap.

-CTH

[Jari]

Yes, the best option would be to "upgrade" to dual circuit and firewall booster system and that is the way I was going to go. I have the master, booster and pedals for that already, but that requires quite extensive firewall modifications and that's why I'm checking back the options of repairing/ replacing the single circuit booster first.

Do you happen to have a picture of a fintail firewall for booster/ dual master. When mocking up the parts on single circuit firewall, there seems to be interference between the lower reinforcement beam and the booster and also the upper screw of the aluminum extension goes over the bend on the firewall, although that would be easy to modify. The pedal brackets interchange between dual and single circuit systems.

Thanks
Jari