36 mechanical Brakes

[Brendan]

it's time for a brake job on my 36 pickup i was looking through Macs catalog last night, they sell Flathead Ted's floaters, and brake energizer kits.
do the Flathead Ted floaters work better then the energizers?

[JM 35 Sedan]

Brendan, I have heard/read that Flathead Ted's are the best but have no experience to confirm this. I believe he has a video of a model a equipped with these floaters doing a stopping demonstration. If/when I do the brakes on my '35 fordor I will definitely use his floaters.

[jakesbackyard]

Along with turning the drums and new linings on the shoes, I put a Flathead Ted kit in my '35. Works great. I can lock up all four wheels. I got from Macs as well and when I got everything apart had some questions. I emailed Ted and he was great help in figuring things out. He has a web site. Very nice guy.

[FatFndr]

Flathead Ted website http://www.flatheadted.com/index.php

[Kurt in NJ]

If you have the later 36 style 2 piece brake adjusters you already have "floaters" from Ford

[Brad Boyer]

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Kurt reading some older posts on the Barn site...can you expound on the difference?? I was thinking of floaters for my 36...built in May of that year.. do you have a picture? Thanks Brad Boyer..

[Kurt in NJ]

I only have a picture of it in the Ford service bulletins now, later I can take pic of the actual parts, and the improved 37 version

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

I only have a picture of it in the Ford service bulletins now, later I can take pic of the actual parts, and the improved 37 version

That is interesting. I have only ever seen '36 adjusters that look and work exactly like the stock '35 adjusters. Wondering if these late '36 or '37 adjusters will retrofit into a '35 and give braking that's equivalent to the aftermarket floaters/equalizers on the market today?

[Brad Boyer]

Thanks Kurt...Do you think my 36 has a good chance of having the improved version?

[Willit Stop]

I was in the same situation a while back and was advised by someone on the barn to use energizers on my 1936 coupe, as they would work better for my application.C&G has them for $54.95.All four wheels,35-38 Pass & Pu, #48-2043.They are easy to install and stop the car as well as,if not better than,non-power hydraulics.A word of caution though...I also ordered molded linings and found that my '36 has all long shoes.The set of molded linings I received had four long and four short. I found out later that I should've ordered woven linings.I'm not sure but I think the woven are for all long shoes.You might want to measure your shoes and then ask the supplier for the correct linings.By the way....the energizer install can easily be done in an afternoon.Time and money well spent.

[Don Rogers]

The original instructions that came with my original Thomas equalizers had a special note that said to use molded brake linings with the equalizers, not woven. Do the new equalizers have that cautionary note?

[Willit Stop]

Don...I just read the instructions that came with my energizers from C&G and they said nothing about molded or woven linings.

[Willit Stop]

My apologies to Flathead Ted.In an earlier reply,I was praising C&G's energizers and failed to answer the original question:Which is better,Flathead Ted's floaters or energizers? If it was put to a vote,I'm sure Ted would win.I DO know that the energizers work well but Flathead Ted's might be better.Ted has helped a bunch of us on the Barn and I certainly didn't mean to "throw him under the bus". Sorry if I offended you Ted.

[Kurt in NJ]

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

That is interesting. I have only ever seen '36 adjusters that look and work exactly like the stock '35 adjusters. Wondering if these late '36 or '37 adjusters will retrofit into a '35 and give braking that's equivalent to the aftermarket floaters/equalizers on the market today?

I have test fit them in a model A backing plate and they fit, but havn't put it to the on car use test, there is no reason they wouldn't fit a 35

[35ragtop]

Yes my vote is for Flathead Ted's floaters. I fitted them to my 35 during restoration. They work well, BUT, you also ( and Teds instructions mention this) - have to ensure that every link, pin, bush, is in good condition with minimum play. Otherwise the effect is lost somewhat. I haven't been able to lock the brakes up but she sure stops effectively. I had wondered wether it was because of the 35 being heavier than a Model A?

[Fe26]

Not being able to 'Lock 'em up' is a good thing.

[Brendan]

well after doing my brake job I have to report that my pickup stops very good. it is like it had power brakes. I put in soft lining and had the drums turned and the shoes arced. my pick up feels like it has power brakes it take a lot less petal pressure to stop it. my model A has 48 brakes and it take a lot more pressure to stop

[Kurt in NJ]

Hare are pictures of original floaters, the one with the groove is the 37-8 style, it seems like it would have more movement, probably easier to adjust too