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Discussion Topic:
Hydraulic brake conversion question
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JM |
05-15-2023 @ 2:17 PM
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Senior
Posts: 823
Joined: Oct 2009
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Some years back, maybe 10, I went completely through the mechanical brake system on my '35 fordor sedan by repairing or replacing all worn components and adding brake floaters/equalizers at each wheel. This gave me braking that I feel is as good, if not better than any '39 to '48 Ford, with their stock Lockheed type hydraulic brakes, that I had ever driven. If or when I ever convert any of my early Ford's to hydraulic brakes, it would have to be the Lincoln Bendix style brakes.
John
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flatfoot |
05-09-2023 @ 8:54 PM
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Member
Posts: 267
Joined: Mar 2011
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Keep the mechanical brakes they are better then the hydraulics. You just have to keep them adjusted. Hydraulics you have to change too much to make them work and they no guarantee they will work any better then original.
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wmsteed |
04-17-2023 @ 12:41 PM
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Senior
Posts: 613
Joined: Oct 2009
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Mike, I have talked to Don, at J & G Brake Drum Relining, McHenry Ill 815-276-2578 (www.jgrelining.com) several times about rebuilding old brake drums. Talked to him today.. I have been wanting to get the 39 drums on my '36 refurbished with with new steel drum liners and correct shoes that have been arced to fit the drums Complete rebuild of the drums with new steel liners, relined shoes arced to fit the drums will cost on the average of $406. per wheel. You have to send them your drums and shoes. The spare set of drums i have look to be in pretty good shape, however, with there age i expect they have been turned before and are out of spec so they will need to be turned over size and new liners pressed in to bring them back to spec. Some people turn the drums over-size and then shim the shoes to get them back to size, i don't believe this is a good thing to do. Been there done that, terrible brake fad with panic stops. or driving in hilly country.
Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
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thirtysixford |
04-17-2023 @ 5:24 AM
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Member
Posts: 210
Joined: Oct 2009
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WMSTEED You say there are a couple of companies who rebuild wide five brake drums. I can't seem to find them, could you give some names or links? Thank you Mike
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hotroddoc |
04-22-2022 @ 5:57 AM
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Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Mar 2019
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Thanks Bill
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wmsteed |
04-20-2022 @ 8:40 AM
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Senior
Posts: 613
Joined: Oct 2009
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When I converted the brakes on my '36 coupe from mechanical to hydraulic in 1952 I harvested parts from a '40 and '41 Fords. Used '40 steering gears, '39-41 brakes with 5-5.5 lug wheels. I jury-rigged the '41 master cylinder, which for quite awhile worked well. Used many styles of aftermarket hub caps that were constantly being stolen, finally went to '46 Ford caps which lasted for almost ten years. Over time I came to dislike the early brakes, very difficult to keep in adjustment with the lower and midway adjustment. The clabbered together master cylinder also became a problem in heavy traffic stopping. Moved from Idaho/Nevada in '56 to Los Angeles. Doing some investigation I found that a '39 peddle assembly would bolt right into the '36 chassis with very little modifications. Since I had already converted the front axle to '40-41 spindles the 38-39 drums would work perfectly with '42-48 backing plates. The wide five 36-39 wheels and '36 caps fit like Henry meant them to be on the car. I have converted several '36-38 Fords to the components I have suggested with no problems. The one problem in this day and age is the '37-39 drums.. Drake has the peddle assembly, the '42 -48 backing plates, etc., should be pretty easy to obtain. If you are going to do the brakes i would strongly suggest that you convert the steering gears to '37-40... A bolt in application that is almost like adding power-steering compared to the '36 worm-sector steering.
Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
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trjford8 |
04-20-2022 @ 8:05 AM
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Senior
Posts: 4218
Joined: Oct 2009
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Flathead Ted on the Fordbarn produces the brake floaters. A lot of people swear by the floaters and you can keep your backing plates, drums, and wheels. Do a search on this site and the Fordbarn concerning the floaters.
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hotroddoc |
04-19-2022 @ 4:44 PM
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Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Mar 2019
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Thanks to everyone for for the comments and suggestions. I looked at the Boling brothers website and the Early V8 garage website. It looks like you can't keep your original wheels with their kits.
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alanwoodieman |
04-17-2022 @ 9:43 AM
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Senior
Posts: 868
Joined: Oct 2009
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I put a set of the floaters on a 36 sedan and they work as good or better than a hydraulic set up and whole lot less trouble to install and you get to keep all the original hubs/wheels/backing plates. I have also done this to two model a's, a 34 coupe
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51504bat |
04-17-2022 @ 8:03 AM
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Member
Posts: 260
Joined: Apr 2020
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Try the Early V8 Garage http://www.earlyv8garage.net/ Call: (626) 338-2282 1217 N. Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina, CA 91790-1004 We manufacture HERE IN THE USA our exclusive no-modification kits to install early Ford/Lockheed or new Lincoln-Bendix brakes on your 1932-1938 Ford. We supply ALL fittings, hoses, brackets, and fasteners required, including pre-bent lines that fit. No cutting or welding is required, and NO drilling is required on 1932-1933-1934 models. One (1) extra hole is required (in the LH rear radius rod for the rear T fitting) on 1935-1936 models, and seven (7) extra holes are required (in the rear radius rods for the rear T fitting and line clips) on 1937-1938 models.
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