Hi all

I need to replace my brake boosters, US spec dual circuit.
I know of two options.

PBR VH44, locally made, but only have a boost ratio of approx 1.8 ( if I am calculating correctly) vs the Girling at 3.0. Will this ratio give enough pressure?
Lockheed LR18221/LE10117, ratio 3.0, however MG Heathrow run a large "advertorial" on ebay saying they won't fit under the bonnet(hood)

Can someone who has installed either of these servos confirm that they fit and give good brakes.


Thanks Terry

Yes, I have installed the VH44 from Australia and they work good. Here is a picture of the installation.

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Regards
Ed
Amgcr#1419
Http://www.mgccars.com/
Http://123ignitionusa.com/



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/25/2012 07:14PM by emadak.

Contact Robert Kirk.

I think your calculations are high on the Girling and low on the PBRs. IIRC the Girling is 2.75 and the PBR is is 3.25....PBR are about 30% more efficient.

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Regards,
Robert Kirk
kirkbrit@yahoo.com
563 323 1017
Moss distributor UK importer
Beat or match any retail/delivered quote

Robert,

I am still learning about the variations in the VH boosters, I have learned more since I started this thread
From your photographs your boosters appear to be VH40 which are much larger than than the VH44 in Ed's photographs and more powerful. I was going to use these but they are much harder to fit, especially near the original location and in a RHD car.
I have since learned that there are variations in the VH44(small) booster, giving approx 2, 2.5 and 3 to 1 boost, there may have been a fourth (PBR state input and output pressures not the boost ratio and the input; ratios vary from model to model probably due to the original appplication). There is a page on the PBR website that gives pressures for the standard and "E" model VH44, which is the model Ed used..
The high pressure approx 3:1 booster is not available new but is available in Australia rebuilt.

I am intending to fit VH44s similar to Ed, but it is important that I get the correct model, I am now more comfortable that I can make the VH44 work and not waste $1000 installing boosters that would not give enough boost.

Terry.
There is a shop in CA that repairs boosters, Universal I think their name is, somewhat far for you. If you are interested I will look up their name and address. They repaired the 2 I have and they have been fine for over 5 years now.
Dave. 69C 78B

I've used:

Power Brake Exchange
260 Phelan Ave
San Jose, CA 95112

(408) 292-1305

Good service; they've done my MGC boosters as well as an MGB booster.

I highly recommend.

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1968 MGC - 1969 MGC - 1972 MGB - 1974&1/2 MGB/GT V8 conversion - 1978 MGB

mowog1@aol.com

With due respect to Ed and anyone else with the smaller VH44 units...these are designed for 4 cyl cars while the VH40 is a direct replacement and thus calibrated to the Girling MKIIA and later B style. AT some point in time PBR "offered" about 6-8 of what I call the Girling style spin offs in larger and smaller VH40 and VH44 but either abandoned the idea or quickly concluded one each of each unit was sufficient for the market place. My first shipment of these servos was direct from AU prior to PBR having a US distribution point. Thus PBR and I go back awhile but they had been offering these particular units several years prior to my knowing of their product.

The pics I posted are from one of my first customers Ellis King, a teacher emeritus and PhD of engineering in North CArloina. He was the one who designed the brackets I now include with each pair of servos I sell to the MGC crowd. They are really rather simple, made of 16 gauge steel and if asked I would certainly be willing to share with anyone a line drawing and specs. The rather more critical element is the angle bend which is not quite 90 degrees for the forward unit. This allows mounting and no interference with the oil filter. In the several years I have sold these I have been asked only once for a replacement part, an elbow or filter, I don't really recall, and have had only one pair returned...the chap preferred to keep his oversized Delco alternator/or was less interested in a mod to the forward bracket to allow non interference mounting.

IMHO the PBR VH40 units, either in dual NA spec or solo EU, AU configuration, are state of the art direct replacements for the OEM calibration of the Girling MKIIB units. I have only spent a little time going through some barely legible spec information to conclude the VH40 PBRs have about a 30% more effective boost than the OEM Girlings which compare nearly equally to the larger Lockheed substitutes.

Teh bottom line, especially for you Aussies, the PBR40 would be the ideal solution to a problematic OE Girling unit...more boost, bleeder incorporated in its hydraulics, modern state of the art design from what was the largest OE and aftermarket supplier of brake parts in the world...unsure if they still hold that title but it impressed me then and their product line still impresses me. With so much trash and unsustainable product hitting the shores around the world, it is real confidence that there is someone somewhere capable to meeting standards of vehicle safety with its products. I did considerable research at the time when I made my first intercontinental import at considerable cost and have never regretted nor found anything superior to offer my customers.

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Regards,
Robert Kirk
kirkbrit@yahoo.com
563 323 1017
Moss distributor UK importer
Beat or match any retail/delivered quote

All good info here. Add this Pdf to your library.

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Regards
Ed
Amgcr#1419
Http://www.mgccars.com/
Http://123ignitionusa.com/

Pricey.

I would like to emphasize that these work very well. Most four cylinder apps use a single booster. As you know that is not the case with the NA MGC. The VH40 would be the proper choice for the european single booster system. Imho the Vh44 works nicely in the Dual Booster setting. But in the end you need to make the decision. The Vh40's are a good unit and so are the VH44's
In comparison to my Girlings which I had rebuilt by Power Brake Exchange in San Jose, there is no difference that i can see. However I am hoping for better longevity with these. The Girlings lasted about 4 yrs. Talking with Robert and others the PBR seem to have a better track record. Additionally with these they can be mounted facing forward to give it more of an Oem look. And they fit nicely in the engine compartment.

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Regards
Ed
Amgcr#1419
Http://www.mgccars.com/
Http://123ignitionusa.com/



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/25/2012 07:11PM by emadak.

Ed,

I am ordering a pair of VH44J (rebuilds)the pressure boost should be midway btween your VH44 and Robert's VH40.

The trade off will be longer pedal travel to displace the amount of brake fluid needed too apply the pads/shoes.
Like you, I would like to keep the boosters in their original positions, your installation looks very neat.

It will be a few weeks before I get the conversion completed and will let you know how they perform.

Terry