01-05-2018, 02:37 PM | #41 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oxford, MS
Posts: 102
|
Re: Bogus
Mike, I just got back from a Jan. 4th cold Mississippi morning ride. I checked the brakes (as I always do) with pumping to a slow roll, hard brake for 20 mph and distance check for a 40 mph stop. I don't need to adjust the brakes for now.
I like the interaction I have with the major functions of the Model A. Those needs being; the car must go (internal combustion) and stop (mechanical brakes in this case). I've scrapped knuckles and been coated in hydraulic fluid while priming lines on newer cars. I liked that for those vehicles when I got the same results of go then stop. At least I don't have to think of vertical drop (as I did when I worked on Huey's in the military) with either hydraulic or mechanical braking systems. |
01-05-2018, 02:42 PM | #42 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: 60615,330th Ave.,Clare, Iowa, 50524
Posts: 1,457
|
Re: Bogus
Ford Brakes work very well, but they have to be rebuilt to new.
They are no different then Motors, as you know. There are rebuilt Motors, and then there are REALLY rebuild motors! There is nothing you can do to get the brakes to work like new, unless everything is put back to factory Spec's. The only people that cussed the Model T and A's are the ones that run the cars when they were wore out, and it is still happening today. If your Brakes don't work, "FIX" "THEM". I would never use stock drums, as heat can warp them. Drums have to be Arched after swaging. Shoes also have to be Arched, to fit the Arch of the drum, and many don't. Then, all slop has to be taken out of the brake rod , and Lever assembly. Roller and tract, and other parts, all need to repaired. We rebuild the roller track as the repro's I don't like. If you do that, they work like Henry Intended. They will slide all four tires on black top. If they don't, you missed something. Herm. |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
01-05-2018, 02:51 PM | #43 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Fruita, CO
Posts: 281
|
Re: Bogus
Fellas, if you've followed wingski's many posts (over 40 per month) he seems to fancy himself a humorist. Maybe we have the reincarnation of Will Rogers, or perhaps Jay Leno incognito! Some day we can tell our grandchildren we knew him when.
|
01-05-2018, 04:10 PM | #44 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NC Mountains
Posts: 689
|
Re: Bogus
I haven't watched the Tonight Show since Jay left. Jay is good people.
|
01-05-2018, 04:20 PM | #45 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,496
|
Re: Bogus
Quote:
I also learned a lot from Purdy's method which makes perfect sense to me.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood. |
|
01-05-2018, 04:24 PM | #46 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
|
Re: Bogus
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
When the brake lining wears to the point that it needs replacement . the brake tracks will also require attention . As the lining wears the roller pins wear a dip in the tracks . Wear on the tracks allows the shoes and lining to drop . If the lining is replaced the brakes will be out of center and most won't be able to get the drums back on . I also don't like the replacement brake tracks and there is NO guarntee that new tracks will center the brake shoes . I weld up the dip in the tracks and grind them back to level . A brake centering tool will tell whether the tracks need to be built up more or less to be centered . If the shoes aren';t pretty close to centered the drums won't have the necessary clearance to slip past the lining . Just a few more important thoughts about model A brakes . Modern cars with shoe brakes are full floating and don't require all of this work when the lining or new shoes are replaced . |
01-05-2018, 06:01 PM | #47 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 629
|
Re: Bogus
The old Harleys I rode had brake rods and cables too, didn't seem too complicated so now I have four wheels to adjust instead of two. I vote for mechanical brakes on my A.
|
01-06-2018, 10:10 AM | #48 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midland Park,N.J.
Posts: 1,108
|
Re: Bogus
I think the A's mechanical brakes are very efficient for the vehicle,I have been driving it since 1962 with very little brake maintenance.I have a 1950 Merc. with a dual master cylinder for disc and drum brakes,I take long extended trips.I happen to check the master cylinder recently and found the rear res. empty,the rear imported wheel cylinders were leaking,surprise! I would stick to the mech. A brakes,not much benefit from the hydraulics for all the work involved.
|
01-06-2018, 11:43 AM | #49 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
|
Re: Bogus
I agree !!!
|
01-06-2018, 12:20 PM | #50 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 502
|
Re: Bogus
x2 My brakes were poor.. then we rebuilt everything and back to org. spec except now cast drums. Stops great! Very few adjustments after 1st 200 miles.
Will last longer than I will ! |
01-06-2018, 12:33 PM | #51 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: Bogus
Quote:
As far as Model A brakes, Herm said it all. |
|
01-06-2018, 12:48 PM | #52 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,101
|
Re: Bogus
Mechanical vs juice.
I have a 60 car that has 1 master cylinder and my A brakes better, and with less fade. I always feel safer in the A, because I always wonder what is the master goes, or I burst a line. I adjust the brakes without a board and slam the brakes on a paved road. If it doesn't pull, good. If it pulls I readjust. |
01-06-2018, 02:39 PM | #53 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,115
|
Re: Bogus
I just had my brakes & drums rejuvenated by Randy Gross. I'll finish the install when I get back from vacation next week.
__________________
Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club |
01-06-2018, 02:58 PM | #54 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
|
Re: Bogus
Quote:
|
|
01-06-2018, 10:26 PM | #55 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
|
Re: Bogus
FORGET THE STUPID BOARD ! !
There's been PAGES & PAGES of good info on adjusting the danged brakes, properly!!! Are we tryin' to INVENT a NEW WAY???? Bill Simple
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" |
01-07-2018, 01:17 AM | #56 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Belgistan (formerly known as Belgium)
Posts: 573
|
Re: Bogus
Quote:
When you drive a car with "what if the master goes, or I burst a line" in your mind, you shouldn't drive anymore. |
|
01-07-2018, 07:10 AM | #57 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
|
Re: Bogus
Definition of WORRY: Replaying tapes in your head---WHAT IF?-WHAT IF?-WHAT IF????
Bill Nottoworry
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" |
01-07-2018, 09:05 AM | #58 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Fruita, CO
Posts: 281
|
Re: Bogus
I find all the concern about failing hydraulic brakes amusing! I've been driving for 53 years. My 29 is the first car that didn't have juice brakes. With the exception of a failed ABS system on an 86 Pontiac 6000 STE, I have never had a catastrophic brake failure. Some of the cars I drove were real crap wagons! I thought I would need to convert my As brakes to hydraulics until I discovered the cost to do so. Being "thrifty" 2 grand and several days of skinned knuckles convinced me the old mechanicals would do the job. I do plan to buy a set of Randy's cast iron drums.
|
01-07-2018, 09:21 AM | #59 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NC Mountains
Posts: 689
|
Re: Bogus
I had (still have) a 1994 4x4 ton with a dump and box type bed chevy 3500 full of fire wood. I was backing down a very steep hill (no place to turn around) and the back brake line burst. If I hadn't of had 4wd (as I quickly jerked it into) I'm not sure what the story would be.
I may switch the brakes on that truck to mechanical. |
01-07-2018, 11:27 AM | #60 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Durango CO
Posts: 1,309
|
Re: Bogus
I find the debate on the use of mechanical brakes vs. hydraulics rather disingenuous. First off, as pointed out by many on this board, the proper restoration to factory specifications of a mechanical brake system is the answer to good braking. I concur. On the other hand, the naysayers of hydraulic systems point out to failures without noting the condition of the hydraulic system.
My choice of hydraulic brakes on my A's is based on the fact that I drive them almost on a daily basis. Both of my A's have been on the chassis dyno and produced 59 and 60 horsepower at the rear wheels. Like those people pointing out failures in hydraulic systems, I had a failure with a mechanical system and blew through a stop light due to severe brake fade with a car that had a properly adjusted system. Like any braking system, maintaining a hydraulic system is just as important. In the interest of safety, I'm also using a clip to retain the drum in the event of a broken axle. In the immortal words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get a long"
__________________
No restorable Model A's were harmed in the building of this truck! |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|