The Ford Barn - View Single Post - What are the advantages of upgrading to Hydraulic Braks

Aarongriffey · 01-08-2021, 08:45 PM

Hydraulic linkage does NOT always multiply the pressure going to push brake shoes against the drums.
That depends on the size of the master cylinder piston compared to the wheel cylinder size.
If you make a brake pedal three feet long and put it in a ‘37 Ford you will not have to push very hard to stop the car, but you will have to have a much longer stroke before you get everything working.
Same with hydraulic.
If you use a master cylinder that has a smaller piston you will not have to push as hard but the pedal will have to move further.
As a side note, Bugatti last built cars in 1941. They NEVER built a car with hydraulic brakes.
I have had cars with mechanical brakes, they worked well but were a pain to get working right, so I prefer hydraulic, until I break a hose, or blow a cylinder.

01-08-2021, 08:45 PM	#13
Aarongriffey Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Hayward,CA Posts: 513	Re: What are the advantages of upgrading to Hydraulic Braks Hydraulic linkage does NOT always multiply the pressure going to push brake shoes against the drums. That depends on the size of the master cylinder piston compared to the wheel cylinder size. If you make a brake pedal three feet long and put it in a ‘37 Ford you will not have to push very hard to stop the car, but you will have to have a much longer stroke before you get everything working. Same with hydraulic. If you use a master cylinder that has a smaller piston you will not have to push as hard but the pedal will have to move further. As a side note, Bugatti last built cars in 1941. They NEVER built a car with hydraulic brakes. I have had cars with mechanical brakes, they worked well but were a pain to get working right, so I prefer hydraulic, until I break a hose, or blow a cylinder.