Shopping for a new brake distribution block

Doing a little checking under the hood today. Noticed the brake distribution block was damp. I pulled the switch on the side and brake fluid ran out. I guess 36 years is all the seals on that spool valve are good for. Kind of explains why the car can no long lock the brakes no matter how hard you press the brake pedal.

Distribution Block
http://www.inlinetube.com/images/New%20products/69%20CAMARO%20VALVE%20(2).JPG

Hold off valve
http://www.inlinetube.com/images/69propvalve.jpg

In 1970, GM still used the same brake distribution block for drum or disc applications. They just added a Hold off valve for disc applications. They didn't come up with a combination valve to incorporate it all in one unit until '71.

Looking at spending $85.00 on a new distribution block if I keep the OE set-up. Kind of wondering if I should upgrade to the newer combination valve for simplicity. After all, the car is no longer completely original. Anybody else dealt with this?

http://www.inlinetube.com/pro_valves.htm

I think the combo valve would look cleaner and eliminate additional connections that could cause problems later.

Now I hope I am not jumping in here and stepping on toes, but how do you tell if you have a combo distribution block (for disc/drum) or a regular distribution block (drum/drum). I picked up a power boster, master cylinder, and distribution block at a swap meet to use in my project. The guy said it came out of a 69-72 Nova, but did not know if it was a disc brake car or not! I got it cause it looks clean and was cheap, I think $20.00.

Spoke to Inline Tube this morning. Although they list the distribution block on their site, it is not currently available. So, I asked the obvious question. If the distribution block is bad and the metering block & hold off valve are the same age, are they next? The answer was yes if they aren't already bad. So I opted for Plan B. I will trash the factory system and upgrading to the newer style combination valve. Because this requires new brake lines, they are on the way also. (And for $25.00 more, you get stainless lines.) So, hopefully by the weekend, I will have a new combination valve and all new stainless brake lines. This will make for a simpler, cleaner, & safer brake system. The calipers and wheel cylinders are relatively new. I may pick up a new master cylinder just for the peace of mind.

Got a call today. My new stainless brake lines, brake proportion valve, and new brake switch plug are at my dad's shop waiting on me. (It's easier to have them shipped there than my home since his shop is where all the magic happens. It's like hollowed ground or something. Every project we tackle in that shop is a success.) I wish I could skip work tomorrow. I feel like a kid with new toys and I can't wait to play.:p
(The truth is, it's really all about the test drive after you install the new toys.:D )

I called the local parts stores about a new master cylinder. I can't believe these are special order now. Everybody used to keep these on the shelf. Does this mean the car is getting old or I'm getting old? :eek:

Anyway, the new master cylinder will be here in the morning. I'll try to spray some paint on it tomorrow. I plan to tackle the brakes on Saturday. Now all I need to do is con... (I mean convince) some friends to help out. I wonder what I could use to lure them in.
:beer::beer::beer: :D :D :D

I didn't get out of work until 3AM on Saturday morning so I got a late start on the car. There were no instructions with the brake lines and proportion valve. He said just match them up. They don't match. I've had to add and take away bends and even relocate some mounting brackets. I used Snap-On line wrenches and still had some of the old lines rounding off (they tend to like to stay after 36 years). Finally made a Summit run and picked up some Earl's Hyper-flex brake hoses. I replaced all the rear brake lines and hose.
When I got to the front, there was a serious problem. The front brake lines would not fit. Apparently, he sent me the conversion kit to swap from drums to front disc. The front disc brake hose mounting brackets are on the top of the frame. These lines are for the drum brake mounting brackets on the outside of the frame. I'll need to get them off a donor car. Hopefully one of the local barnyards will have them in the morning. The only reason I'm not freaking out over this is that the new Earl's hoses and SS Quick Change Calipers will work better with this configuration.
I did go ahead and mount the new master cylinder and proportion valve. The old stuff was taking up a lot of space. This new set up is going to really clean things up under the hood. Gonna hit the sack now. Hoping for better luck tomorrow. Any prayers are appreciated. Goodnight for now and I'll keep you posted.

i'm kinda seein' this late, so i dunno if anything i offer as help will be helpfull...


in case ya need special sized fittings they too are availabe from Inlinetube... or, i actually got the size i needed from my local "CarQuest" store... in stock in their "Edelman" fitting cabinet (they let me look & get my own ;) ) it was i think a 9/16-18 for 3/16 tube. a rather large nut for a small line, but it fits the master perfect without using an adapter fitting ;) in case you need any, i hope this helped...

where i'm late is... i recently saw in the Web-Link Library, MP power brakes, they showed pictures of the "Hold off valve" i didn't check availability, but they showed all kinds of distribution blocks, hold offs and other valves & master cylinders...


best of luck to ya... hope ya get a "brake" and get r all done with no problems :D

I got up at 6AM. I was at Pull-A-Part at 8AM when they opened. The '70 they had listed on their website turned out to be a '69 moredoor that was missing the subframe. Long story short, I used the brake hose brackets from a '60 Cadillac. I had to drill two new holes but they look right at home. Lots of bending, tugging, prying ,and a little bleeding followed. But I got brakes again.
I have a much firmer pedal and noticably better braking. Funny thing is, it still won't lock the brakes but the braking distance was cut in half. I'm feeling much better now. So what's next? :beer: