78 Silverado with no power brake booster?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Redneck Poet

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2018
Posts
9
Reaction score
3
Location
South Carolina
First Name
Allen
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
350
Greetings. I have a 78 Silverado I bought many years ago. Haven't driven it in a while but considering putting back on the road. It came factory with 350,AT, pwr windows but not door locks. Factory ac. The brakes were never really great on it and, for some reason, didn't have a power brake booster. I've had to replace the master cylinder a few times and considered adding a vacuum brake booster. Any idea why it didn't have the brake booster? Would it cause any problems if I added one? I'd also replace the master cylinder too since it's probably different.
Any advise would be appreciated!
 

Snoots

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Posts
8,884
Reaction score
18,738
Location
Georgia
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
Jimmy Sierra
Engine Size
350 w/203
If you don't have a PB booster it likely a Hydroboost system that provides power braking from the PS pump.
Need pix.
 

Redneck Poet

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2018
Posts
9
Reaction score
3
Location
South Carolina
First Name
Allen
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
350
No hydroboost. And there's no J brake code on the sticker. Most replacements specify JB5 or JB3 but my sticker doesn't show either.
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
3,155
Reaction score
7,323
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Power brakes were always an option in the squares. The newest I had without power brakes was an 1981. I don't know about later years.

Many packages included power brakes, but basic C/K 10's did not have them. To upfit you need the bracket from the firewall to mount the booster. Best would be find a donner and get all the parts, bracket, longer pushrod, booster, master cylinder and hardware.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,611
Reaction score
28,837
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Do you have the small brake pedal, like a manual shifted truck would have?

Power brakes were not standard on a C10. Silverado was a trim level. Definitely a weird optioned truck if no power brakes.
 

Redneck Poet

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2018
Posts
9
Reaction score
3
Location
South Carolina
First Name
Allen
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
350
Don't know if the brake pedal is smaller. I also thought it odd to have pwr windows, ac, tilt column, gauges but no power brakes or door locks.
 

Redneck Poet

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2018
Posts
9
Reaction score
3
Location
South Carolina
First Name
Allen
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
350
Also oddly, it had twin tanks but not from the factory. The driver's side tank was a square, home made one. The switch to route from one tank to the other is a manual valve installed in the floor under the seat. The fuel gauge has a toggle switch mounted on the lower dash to choose which tank. The driver's side filler neck stuck out through a round hole in the bedside with no grommet or rubber. It didn't rub but I never liked it. I seem to recall researching it and found a company in California that would modify them in this way. I found a correct twin tank short bed and installed it along with a correct style tank. Sold the square tank for $100!
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
9,108
Reaction score
15,456
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Welcome.

My 79 c10 custom deluxe has manual brakes (no booster) and manual steering

Not a surprise. A higher trim level might would have power brakes
 

Redneck Poet

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2018
Posts
9
Reaction score
3
Location
South Carolina
First Name
Allen
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
350
Thanks for the welcomes. I’ve lurked around the forum for years because it is the go-to place for the best info and help from very knowledgeable folks! I’m 66 years old and have owned a couple square bodys. I never thought they’d get as popular as they are now, though!
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,411
Posts
956,914
Members
36,730
Latest member
bigb76
Top