Brake booster
 

Does anyone know if there is any difference between an A-body brake booster and an F-body brake booster? I know the rods are different, but I don't know if the mounting angle or booster size is the same.

I have several A-Body ones but don't have an F-body to compare it to.

Trying to put one together for the 72 TA. Any input would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Tim

Tim I know they are different. Find a nice used one. I use Steve Gregorio but he is backed up right now. I've also used a lot of the repo ones and they are ok but I would not put one on a car the caliber of yours.

The boosters are number coded,at least the 1970 and 71 model years were.1970 is 0426 and 1971 is 1957.. I bet 1972 has its own number as well. Plus the yellow zinc most do these in is too shiny. 72 model year still were done in gold cadmium, a different and more durable finish than zinc..

Thanks guys, I'll search for an f-body booster. Bill, I use a shop here in Denver area that does cadmium plating, so that shouldn't be a problem. Question for you, is there a trick to separating the booster halves without damaging them?

Cheers,
Tim

There was a Kent Moore J-tool for removing the front half of the booster. It was basically a piece of box tubing and flat steel that attached where the master cylinder goes. Then you use a large adjustable wrench to rotate and unlock the front half. There is a picture of the J-tool and instructions for the procedure in the factory service manual.

If you are handy with a welder and have some scrap metal laying around you can make the tool easily.

Tim-
Chris at that shop you are talking about knows well how to do the boosters. They have to be polished before plating.Actually I sent him the polishing tools he uses. I am assuming Bloomington Colorado..correct?? As far as removing the front cover..I built the tool myself and can send you a picture. It works quite well. Same piece used for reassembly..
As far as the boosters numbers, there seems to be a gaggle or two of 1972 owners on this board. Surely someone can give you the correct booster code. It is at the 12 o clock tab,facing the firewall.The number facing the engine will be the Julian date.. Let me know if I can help.

Bill

As Weranc55 noted Steve Gregori not only does plating but he has numbers correct boosters for each year.

Steve's boosters are overrestored. Then again so is your car just like most peoples including mine. His boosters do dull a little over time. I sent him one booster that had some pitting that he had to polish. It came out to nice in the areas he polished. He did another one for me that was a very nice core that did not need any polishing and that one came out much better.

I appreciate all the input. I talked with Steve tonight and he has a correct dated booster for me. Must be my lucky day! Looking forward to checking out the handiwork.

Cheers...

1972 BRAKE BOOSTER #s
 

once again am I not looking in the right spot?...I cannot find any numbers...is this the spot??...the fluid cover was a GM replacement from 1990..I would not be surprised if mine needs to be rebuilt as it may be leaking where the master connects to the booster..does that sound right??...thank youAttachment 353597

Attachment 353598

Attachment 353599

Attachment 353600

Attachment 353601

look on the tab sticking straight up at the 12 o clock position. there will be numbers on the front and rear of the tab. the rear is the model specific code and the front number is the build date. These tabs are part of the rear half of the booster. you showed a picture of this very tab in the 1st photo you included in your post. it is right there..

BOOSTER #
 

O.K...I see it..thankyou..will have to wait till morning with better lighting..thanks 70RAIII

My 72 T/A has a Julian date 253 (Sept 10th) #1957. The trim tag build date is 9C.

1972 T/A BOOSTER
 

Attachment 353752...the front tab part # is 1315...and the rear tab appears to be part # 1957....if someone can explain the meanings it would be appreciated...thank you

Attachment 353753

the part number is #1957 (this is correct for both 1971 per Bill and Steve Gregorio). the number on the front indicates the Julian date (315th day of the year).