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S10 355 brakes don't work very well

3K views 12 replies 3 participants last post by  ttjsk812@aim.com 
#1 ·
I have an 85 s10 with a 355 and a 536 lift cam. It is almost like I dont get enpugh vacuum for my brakes to work good. Is there any way I could get more vacuum to my brakes. What if I got rid of brake booster? replaced vacuum line from valve cover to booster because it was sucking shut. Brakes work a little better but not greatt. Any ideas??
 
#2 ·
I'd run the vacuum line from the intake manifold. You'd probably get a stronger vacuum, hence better brakes. I've owned vehicles without a brake booster & it's no fun. If the line from the intake doesn't work, put a vacuum canister in the truck. You can get them from Jegs, Summit, etc. for about $35-50. It just plumbs in & maintains a little pressure so it don't need a whole lot of vacuum from the engine when applying the brakes. A lot of old school racers use them. Especially on HOT street engines so they can keep the power brakes. Simple fix to old problem.
 
#4 ·
It is COMMON for vehicles such as yours with a big camshaft to have issues with not enough vacuum for the brake booster. You need a separate electric vacuum pump. :D



Summit Racing has them.

Hella 009428087 - Hella Street Vacuum Pumps - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Or ... if you are salvage yard prone ( who is not ?? )
Find a diesel powered GM vehicle with the small 12V electric vacuum pump.

Buick
82 Skyhawk-J
82- 85 Skylark-X


Cadillac
82 Cimmaron
Chevrolet
84-86 Celebrity-A
82 Caprice-B
82 Cavalier-J
82-85 Citation-X
Oldsmobile
86 Cierra-A
82 Firenza-J
82-84 Omega-X
Pontiac
85-86 6000
82 J2000
82-84 Phoenix-X

I get them for less than 25 dollars used ... and they work perfect for a over cammed SBC.

I got this photo off the internet :rolleyes:



DEUCE .. Moderator :thumbup:
 
#7 ·
Get yourself copies of the wiring diagrams for your truck & the donor vehicle. If you wire it inline with the ignition coil or another wire that only gets power when the switch is turned on, you should be fine. Should work on any type of vehicle. Foreign or domestic. Good luck!!!
 
#12 ·
NO ...

The electric vacuum pump is the ONLY supply of vacuum that the booster needs to function correctly. Plug the line from the carb to the booster. Keep the line from the carb to the vacuum advance on the distributor if yours has one.

:)
 
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