hydraulic brakes , 1936 spindles

[Richard (EV8G)]

Once again, THANK YOU Bruce! Regarding adapting hydraulics to the 36 spindles, it can indeed be done as you describe. The "inexpensive $20 kit" that you refer to does consist of two piston rings (too thick and brittle) and two valve seats (wrong dimensions). As you say, the 36 (and many 35) spindles have a thick boss that the seal rides on, so no bearing spacer is needed as with Model A, 32-35(some). Instead of using the piston ring, I can supply a flange with an integral correct spacer to fit the hydraulic brake plate (larger center hole) to the 32-36 (and Model A) spindles. This flange is drilled the same as the spindle pattern and installs between the brake plate and the grease catcher to provide extra support AND provides a pattern to use to scribe the brake plates in order to file 3/8" diameter notches so that the brake plate cannot rotate as it would if excessively large notches are cut, which was often the case in the "good old days"...

The only way I know of to use the 36 hubs/drums (and also 35's) is to find a pair of 39-40 Lincoln Bendix front brakes, which have the same deep offset as the original 35-36 brakes and are compatible BUT: it is also necessary to replace the kingpins and bearings with a special kit that eliminates the socket (cannot just cut it off, and should not since it also carries the load originally) and moves the bearings (special thin bearings and plates) to the bottom of the axle. This allows for the overhang of the deep brake plates above the kingpins and also provides access for the front hoses to screw into the wheel cylinders. It is also necessary to grind the top of the spindle flange FLAT, as the wheel cylinders are mounted lower on Bendix brakes and therefore the "ledge" below them is also located lower down... These things are also required when installing the new Bendix brakes (actually 1941's contrary to advertising...) on 32-36 spindles when using 37-39 front hubs/drums. EXCEPT the new brakes are available to fit 32-36 spindles, so don't need the flanged spacer in that case.