The Ford Barn

jakesbackyard · 04-04-2026, 05:50 PM

I recently purchased a 1956 Thunderbird that had a frame off restoration finished in 1995. It only had 15k miles since restoration and had been kept in a climate controlled place. I have gone through pretty much the whole car doing maintenance to get to good driving capability. I’m having difficulty with the power brake system. It had a disc front kit upgrade with dual master cylinder and upgrade rear drum cylinders. It doesn’t seem to have any power assist. All four wheels lock up with hard pressure, but there is no lowering of the pedal when starting car. It takes hard pressure on a hard pedal for stopping. It is plumbed correctly according to a diagram I found which has the power only to the front discs. The power system will hold a vacuum overnight. It has a regular brake light switch and no proportion valve.

Does anyone have ideas on what could be wrong? Or what to check. Thank you.

04-04-2026, 05:50 PM	#1
jakesbackyard Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wahpeton, ND Posts: 82	1956 Thunderbird power brake problem I recently purchased a 1956 Thunderbird that had a frame off restoration finished in 1995. It only had 15k miles since restoration and had been kept in a climate controlled place. I have gone through pretty much the whole car doing maintenance to get to good driving capability. I’m having difficulty with the power brake system. It had a disc front kit upgrade with dual master cylinder and upgrade rear drum cylinders. It doesn’t seem to have any power assist. All four wheels lock up with hard pressure, but there is no lowering of the pedal when starting car. It takes hard pressure on a hard pedal for stopping. It is plumbed correctly according to a diagram I found which has the power only to the front discs. The power system will hold a vacuum overnight. It has a regular brake light switch and no proportion valve. Does anyone have ideas on what could be wrong? Or what to check. Thank you.