1971 Barracuda Power Brake Options

[70 Challenger Lover]

Could a 71 Barracudas be had with power drum brakes or only discs? I'd like to add a power booster but keep my drums.

If it was an option, would I use the Midland Ross booster or a different one? Would I keep the same proportioning valve and master cylinder or use something different?

[JH27N0B]

Power disc, power drum, manual drums were the options.
The drum MC is same for power or manual, except manual brakes has 4 studs, that can be removed to bolt on a booster which already have 4 studs built in.
The type of booster can vary.  '71s are seen with either Midland Ross or Bendix.  I'm not sure if there is a build date where they changed from one to the other, or if both were being installed at the same time.
My October built Challenger has a Bendix booster, I'm not sure if that is what it originally had but I suspect it did.
I don't know about proportioning valves, but I'd guess the same valve power or manual.

[70 Challenger Lover]

https://bluestarperformance.com/product/power-brake-unit-assembly-3461287-drum-brakes-b-e-body-1971-nos/

[70 Challenger Lover]

I found this at blue star and another one like it on eBay. Both emphatically state this is the correct booster for 1971 power drums with 10" brakes.

I just happen to have a nice one of these in my stash along with a Midland Ross type that needs restoration. The pics I find are are black and not the pretty plated ones I typically see with Midland Ross ones so not sure which is correct.

I'd putting this on a nicely restored car so I'd like to keep it looking correct if I can.

[70 Challenger Lover]

Could you post a few pics of yours sometime? I'm also curious if the firewall plate is different with the bendex booster.

[JH27N0B]

My 71s in storage so I can't look at the mounting now.  I'll look at my stored pics tomorrow and see if any seem valuable. Also my 2 70s which are in my garage are PB with Bendix boosters so should be same.

[E74cuda]

I believe the Bendix booster was used until around March 71 then they switched to the Midland Ross booster. The booster pictured is not correct. You can probably still get the correct rebuilt booster from a local auto parts store or Rock Auto. The proportion valve for power drum should be the same as standard drum along with the master cylinder. The firewall plate is the same for either booster. You will need to locate the correct power brake pedal pivot assembly as the manual is different than disc. Pivot assemblies are also different for Bendix vs Midland Ross boosters. Also if you want to be correct you will need to locate disc spindles and caliper brackets. All factory disc brake E body's also had 10 inch rear drum except the T/A and AAR cars.

[70 Challenger Lover]

My 71 was built in December 1970 so sounds like I need the Bendix booster. I wasn't able to find any through Rock Auto but I only searched 1971. If I need a 1970 style, I'll try searching 1970.

The one I showed in the photo is not the Bendix style from 1970 then?

And any idea what the correct pivot looks like? I've only seen the one for discs.

[JH27N0B]

Here is a recent thread about booster ID:
https://forum.e-bodies.org/wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-and-steering/12/brake-booster-identification-help/27316/
There is a thread about a repo linkage, though I am not sure if this is what is correct for your configuration.
https://forum.e-bodies.org/wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-and-steering/12/70-71-e-body-repo-power-brake-booster-linkage/28019/

[E74cuda]

Here's a picture of the pivot assembly. Check with Brewers. Also Summit sells one that might work. You will also need the bushing pictured. It installs into the rod that is on the back side of the booster that a bolt goes through to secure it to the pivot assembly

[E74cuda]

Pivot assembly

[70 Challenger Lover]

Found this at Summit. The push rod appears a little longer and there is a sleeve to fill the space on the pedal bracket. Adding a power booster is turning out to be more trouble than it's worth.