Post to the EFV-8 Forum
Post Classified Ads
Shop the Online Store

User Login

Not Registered Yet? Click Here to Sign Up!

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

FORUM RULES: Users agree to these Rules when using Forum.

The site administrator reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the user agreement without prior notice to the user. It is the responsibility of the user to regularly review the terms of this agreement.

The user agrees to the following terms:

All information that you provide to us for your membership is correct.
You will not use your membership to spam, harrass, or exploit other members in any way.
Vulgar, Abusive, Racist and Sexist Language will not be tolerated.
Commercial-type sales postings will not be allowed.
No mass posting or flooding of the boards is allowed.
No Advertising of parts or cars; no Ebay or business/commercial ads (please use the "Classified" for ads Wanted or For Sale).
VIEWING MULTIPLE TOPICS ON SCREEN: You can choose to see more than 10 Topics at a time ... Log In and choose "Preferences" from the top bar on the Forum page. Scroll down and Change the "Default Topics Returned" parameter to 25 or 50, and save the changes. Since this setting is stored in your browser 'cookies' (if enabled), it seems to use that stored value even if you are not logged in. So, if you use a PC that you haven't logged into the forum from, the setting still seem to remain at the default.
EXTERNAL PHOTO LINKS ON FORUM: You can still use external photo links in your posts on the new forum. They follow the rules of any link in that they have to have the URL link qualified down to the full image file name (example: .jpg). The links will open in a new browser window, the same as an uploaded image attached to a post. Since an image attachment to any post does not display inline with the post, the results are the same. You can use multiple external links within a post. This link is from photos on a site from Don Clink's 'Deuce@75' albums:

http://donclink.com/deuce_75_1/images/dscn2950.jpg

Using links from photo sites such as Photobucket can help in "size" issue with uploaded attachment files. For best viewing in web browsers, photos should be around the 800x600 pixel range, and probably not more than 1024x768. Most cameras today store HUGE jpg image files, as the default settings are in the 7, 8, 10, and 12Mb image sizes. The image files that are then attached are very large, and the browser can't display the full image size without using the scroll bars. Use the re-sizing functions of your photo editing software to reduce the image to 800x600, which reduces the file sixe and the image load time in the browser. Don uses Google's free Picassa3 software, which is an excellent photo management product. All of the photo albums of the Deuce, Grand National, and Auburn that are links on the NORG site were built using Picassa's web creation functions. And it's free? (THANKS to Don Clink for the info!)
HOW DO I SHOW MY EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH MY USERNAME? You can LogIn on the Forum, and select PREFERENCES. On this page Members can add optional information such as their City,State, Country; Occupation; Hobbies: list a Homepage; list AOL Instant Messanger Handle; Signature; "Make Email Address viewable to others;" and even change the number of Default Topics shown on a page. WHEN others click on your profile, they will see this information.

EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Floaters for mechanical brakes

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion

<< previous || next >>

Posted By

Discussion Topic: Floaters for mechanical brakes

ford38v8

08-16-2010 @ 7:37 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 2762
Joined: Oct 2009

Tim, Use no grease on the floaters. Once installed, check them for freedom of movement and full adjustability. If you wish to lubricate them, use graphite only.

To initially adjust your brakes, set your axles on jack stands, all four wheels up. Use your hand brake in the various positions to determine adjustments at the wheels. Note that the rear wheels will need to be looser than the fronts, or they will lock up prematurely in use. Fine tuning your adjustments will require a test drive, so cover your seat with a blanket to protect from your coveralls, and don't forget to take along your adjusting spoon! After an initial brake-in period when the shoes have seated, you will likely see improvement with another minor adjustment.

Your brakes will be more reliable and better than in any Ford up till 1949, and you'll never have to replace a leaking wheel cylinder.

Alan

Tim I

08-16-2010 @ 7:08 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 73
Joined: Apr 2010

Thank you for those instructions. The floaters I got from Mac's came with no instructions, and I wouldn't have had a clue where to start.

I have to ask: Is it really necessary to pack the housing with grease? It seems like overkill, and a sure way to get grease on the linings.

Thanks again.

Tim
Denver, CO

40 Coupe

06-15-2010 @ 5:33 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 1676
Joined: Oct 2009

here are the instructions for an early set of floaters

Robert/Texas

06-14-2010 @ 7:33 AM

reply profile send p.m.

New Member
Posts: 108
Joined: Dec 2009

Tim
My '34 has floaters which I installed about 16 years ago on the front wheels only. The brakes work well and will skid all four of the 17" tires. My '37 does not have after market floaters and the brakes are even better and will easily skid the 600-16 tires. It does require more cable adjustments vs the rod adjustments on the '34.

Robert - Burton,TX

This message was edited by Robert/Texas on 6-14-10 @ 7:34 AM

Tim I

06-13-2010 @ 7:39 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 73
Joined: Apr 2010

Of course I got good advice, Alan. I got it from you!

Flathead Ted's website doesn't list his kit for anything after 1936, but Mac's lists a Flathead Ted kit for '37-38. ???? Assuming it does exist, I just wondered if it would be any better than the regualr floaters.

Tim

ford38v8

06-13-2010 @ 12:26 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 2762
Joined: Oct 2009

Ted, you got good advice regarding floaters. The kit sold by Flathead Ted, however, is not for your '38. I haven't seen the Mac's floaters, so I cannot comment on the quality, but I obtained a set of unknown origin from a swap meet years ago, and have been very pleased with their performance ever since. Floaters have been made by many different companies, and are actually so simple that I'm sure some guys have made their own. They were originally marketed back in the day that our cars were new!

Yes, you will need a drum puller for the rear drums. There are also a number of different pullers available, but one and one only stands out above the rest, the original Ford tool made by KRW. This puller (reproduced) can be found advertised in the V8 Times. It is not advised to use any other method to pull your rear drums.

When you get your floaters, get back to us here on the forum and we'll guide you through the installation and adjustment of your brakes.

Alan

Tim I

06-13-2010 @ 10:04 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 73
Joined: Apr 2010

I'm getting ready to tear into the brakes of my recently-acquired '38 Coupe, and have been advised that modifying the brakes with adjusters that let the shoes float is the way to go. Mac's Auto Parts seems to offer two types. One is is called an energizer kit and seems to include the adjusters only. The other is a kit by Flathead Ted, which in the pictures, looks completely different than the other. Any opinions on which is the better way to go?

Also, will I need a puller to remove the brake drums?

Thanks for any and all advice.

Tim
Denver, CO

<< previous || next >>

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

Merchandise Questions

Membership Questions