1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

I have a 1936 five window body that I have put on a 1937 frame. I have converted the brakes to hydraulic. I am in a quandary regarding how to mount either a '36 or '37 e-brake lever. I do not see an obvious way to mount a '36 lever to the '37 frame, and I have no idea if a '37 lever can be mounted under the '36 dash, where it mounts, or how the cable is routed. Any ideas or information will be greatly appreciated. TGJ

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

You've left out important info regarding transmission, driveshaft, and brakes, so any info given here would be guesswork at best.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

36 handbrake bolts onto the rear trans mount. Use a 35-36 mount and 36 handbrake. You'll still need to make the rest of the handbrake system. Do a search, there are threads detailing various solutions to this.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...+conversion+36

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...+conversion+36

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

Thanks for your comment. Transmission is 3 speed '37 based on part numbers. Driveline likely stock '37 as it, with trans, came with the frame. 1937 mechanical brake actuating shaft and clevis attach points are available for re-install at the cross member. As best I can tell, the two years had very similar actuators, with the '36 emergency brake clevis on the right side for a floor lever, and the '37 on the left side of the actuator. '37 may be the best way to go (I can buy a lever and cable to the cross member actuator) but I do not know how or where the '37 lever should mount under the dash, nor if my '36 dash and firewall are compatible.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

The '37 hand lever mounts in two places on the far left firewall and cowl. The dash would likely need to be removed to access the upper cowl mount location. Your easiest would be as suggested, to change out the '37 transmission rear mounts to the original '36 mounts, and bolt up an original '36 handbrake.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

Thank you Brian and ford38v8. Since this is a build in progress, removing an empty dash (no gauges or wires) is not a problem. Looking at pictures of a '37 lever, I do not see how the '37 lever would mount to the cowl without some type of bracket. I would love to see how that lever is mounted. I can do minor fabrication and welding as needed. I like the thought of no floor lever as my floor and trans cover are not stock. I will look into swapping the rear trans mount as well. Thanks

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

If you go the '36 rear mount; you also need to remove the later frame bracket and install the earlier frame brackets.

It may be easier to fabricate a bracket for the '36 lever that bolts to the top cover bolts on the transmission. A Model A mount (toothed strip) will fit the '36 lever and is more adaptable as it mounts flat with two bolts.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

I have a 37 that I can take the dash panel out and post pictures of the emergency brake mounting later today.

The emergency brake handle on the 1937 passenger car attaches to a stamped gusset in the left corner and to the firewall as shown in the photos.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

That would be terrific, but I hate for you to have to disassemble to take a picture.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

rich b - I have begun looking into fabricating a mount to the transmission, so I thank you for your suggestion.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

I have a 36 5 win that I have done a significant amount of improvements to the mechanical components of the car: Hydraulic brakes, 42-48, 59AB engine, 48 Merc column shift trans, 40 steering gears with a '40 column, '47 steering wheel. Front axle '41 dropped 2" w/tube shocks and a '41 front spring. Rear end is a '48 Columbia mounted to the '36 banjo/driveline w/37 radius bars, tube shocks, 48 spring.
The Parking/emergency brake is from a '37, mounted adjacent to the left kick panel. It took a little bit of engineering, fabricating up a lever assemble at the rear of the trans to connect the brake cables to, the cable coming from the handle was long enough to handle the task.
I had considered using a '50 Merc "cane" type brake handle, mounted to the right of the steering column, under the dash, even bought one which I still have. The '50 Merc brake handles were the hot setup in the early '50's.
I even considered a stock '36 floor mounted brake handle, still have one of those that I never used.. Since I had converted the trans to a column shift which I hooked to the '40 column, I opted not to clutter the floor up with a brake handle.
My '36 has a stock radio mounted above the steering column, so space for a hand brake was limited. The '37 handle fit very nicely between the radio box and the kick panel, just as if Henry Ford had that application in mind.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

I have a complete '37 parking brake handle that I can take a pic of and send to you and/or attach to this thread.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

Yes, I would be interested in seeing a photo your '37 parking brake handle. Is it an extra that you are considering to sell?

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

I converted my '36 to hydraulics last year. For the emergency brake cable, I used one of the original mechanical rods, straightened it out, shortened it, threaded it and ran it through the hole as shown in this shot of someone else's conversion, and hooked it up to the cable.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

Zeke3, I appreciate your taking the time to provide those photos. They are just what I needed to see.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

Thanks for your photo, Steve Kennedy. Very helpful.

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

Glad to be of assistance.

Post #3 in the attached link describes what is needed for the emergency brake cable with hydraulic brakes on a '37. The cable from the e-brake handle to the equalizer has to be longer than the original cable to reach the bracket at the junction of the rear wishbone and have an end to accept the retaining clip.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=286831

Re: 1936 vs 1937 Emergency Brake Lever
 

Thanks, again. Helpful info.