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Is a brake servo worth fitting

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chicken

chicken

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I am rebuilding a 1963 BJ7 and am now coming up to fitting all new brake pipes and a master cylinder, at this point is it worth adding a servo. I know the car wasn't fitted with one originally but I have been led to believe that it is a definite bonus. I would like to keep the car fairly original, however having good brakes is obviously very important, will the new cylinder suffice or should I fit a servo. SC Parts or AH Spares both do a replica servo but I have no idea where to mount it if I go ahead. Does anyone have any pictures showing the mounting position. Is a brake servo worth fitting Is a brake servo worth fitting
 
chicken, i also own a 63 bj7, im satisfied with the performance of my rebuilt brake system as it is, however you should be able to install a servo in this car exactly as done on the bj8, with the correct line kit/kits.etc check out "victoria british" same-.com- begin on page 78.sorry no picts of a bj8 install. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif
 
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I am rebuilding a 1963 BJ7 and am now coming up to fitting all new brake pipes and a master cylinder, at this point is it worth adding a servo. I know the car wasn't fitted with one originally but I have been led to believe that it is a definite bonus. I would like to keep the car fairly original, however having good brakes is obviously very important, will the new cylinder suffice or should I fit a servo. SC Parts or AH Spares both do a replica servo but I have no idea where to mount it if I go ahead. Does anyone have any pictures showing the mounting position. Is a brake servo worth fitting Is a brake servo worth fitting

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In a recent very hot spell in very slow moving traffic my servo fitted BJ8 was overheating so I let the car roll down hill with the engine off. I was amazed how much more effort was required to stop (no I didn't hit anything /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Fit the servo !!!!!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Hi Andrew,
A servo assisted car has a different master cylinder, so when there is no vacuum it is harder to stop than a system that was designed without a servo to begin with.
 
Hi Chicken,
My car has the servo mounted on the right side of the car on the front of the footwell. I’m not sure if that holds true for a UK car. Here is a picture of where it mounts on a US export. The servo I have is a PBR unit, not the original.
245929-CIMG1138.jpg
 
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Hi Andrew,
A servo assisted car has a different master cylinder, so when there is no vacuum it is harder to stop than a system that was designed without a servo to begin with.

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Let me turn the question around slightly: Why was it necessary for servo-assists to be fitted to BJ cars? I do not find the level of braking effort objectionable on my wife's 3000. Is it simply a matter of the couple of hundred pounds increased weight of the later cars?
 
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Why was it necessary for servo-assists to be fitted to BJ cars?

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Good question, Michael!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I asked DMH and it was strictly a "comfort/marketing" thing!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

chicken!!:

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1963 BJ7 and am now coming up to fitting all new brake pipes and a master cylinder,...

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If you already have the new pipes you will NOT like this answer!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

The pipes are different!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif

Being a BJ-7 driver/owner the real anser is:

NOT "needed". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Ed
 
Ed if i fit the pipes meant for a servo assisted system will they work on a non servo system, then if i find i wish to add a servo later i will not need to alter all the main pipe work. My feelings are to try out without a servo first, I'm sure it will be fine. Rob
 
chicken, another good question for you to be asking is what problems grace/plague a "servo" system and how much more money and time is required to correct the inherent problems that exist.find out as much as you can from someone thats had to rebuild/replace a servo, the servo alone is about $700.00 u.s.-if i was displeased with my non-servo brakes id use that money to put in rear disk brakes instead, but from all ive read none of the kits for that are complette and the install is note a walk in the park for most. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif
 
Hi Chicken,
The servo system has two distribution blocks (a 4-way and a 3-way) where the non-servo has only one 5-way. The servo needs two additional pipes. 3-way to servo, then servo to 4-way. You could install both blocks then run a bypass tube but I feel that would be a waste of time and money if you decide you like the feel of the brakes without a servo. As I mentioned above, you would also need to change the master cylinder to a larger bore when adding the servo.
 
Hi Anthony,
The booster I have was $349 new, including the brackets (which I didn’t use). So far, it stops the car nicely without a lot of leg muscle.
 
Greg/7777, Mine too is an OZ product by "Patton" Part NO is VH 44. I selected it because it installs the reverse of the original and I can easily remove the starter from the bottom of the car.--Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
In a recent very hot spell in very slow moving traffic my servo fitted BJ8 was overheating so I let the car roll down hill with the engine off. I was amazed how much more effort was required to stop (no I didn't hit anything /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Fit the servo !!!!!-------of course it would take a greater amount of pressure to activate the brakes on a servo fitted car that was not running,totaly different hydraulic dynamics any "assisted" system will not fungtion the same when not powered,you can not compare or expect a servo system to remotely operate the same as a none servo car, hay why dont we all install a.b.s systems as well? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif
Careful there 7777, If the car was running and then stopped the servo should preserve at least a couple of additional assisted stops even with the engine off.---Keoke-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
keoke, this is true, if his servo system hasnt any leaks or if he didnt use the brakes to slow the car down a bit before attempting a full stop, i guess he should drive a bj7 to reolize the brakes dont feel like a depleated servo set,but seriously we cant say his unpowered servo would or should feel anything like a non-servo break system at any time, me thinks he should address his over heating problem to avoid such antics or switch over to a none servo system so he can realy enjoy the engine off roller coaster riding any time he likes and not have to worry if hes got assist pressure. some guys even like a.b.s i never did i hate it,i believe in the k.i.s.s method of engineering,the more stuff you add the more stuff that will go wrong, heck one could trade ones healey for a new b.m.w if thats the plush pampered ride one is looking for, besides ive installed a b52 drag shoot on my car just incase. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Hi all Just to add my ponds worth in. I drive a BJ7 and have recently put on exchange G14 calipers and new discs (rotors) - great no server required. However if my memory is correct and if you want to cheat a bit you could fit G16 calipers off the Ford Capri used the same as those on the BJ8 but metric threads. A better caliper.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif Bob
 
Chicken,

My response is if it aint there it will not fail. The servo-less braking on my 3000 is just dandy thank you. Use the money for a new fuel tank, or Lempert steering wheel, or gearset or a great dinner with the wife. (never under estimate the value of keeping the Domestic Tranquility Index (DTI) in the green.
 
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if my memory is correct and if you want to cheat a bit you could fit G16 calipers off the Ford Capri used the same as those on the BJ8 but metric threads. A better caliper.

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The G16 was also used on TR6s, early ones are compatible with standard Healey hardware- but later ones switch to a metric caliper with special hybrid bolts- metric shafts for the caliper and imperial threads for the mount. They can be bought from specialist suppliers though I think they need to be shortened, FWIW....
 
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