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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Mechanical to hydraulic

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Discussion Topic: Mechanical to hydraulic -- page: 1 2

carducci7

03-06-2016 @ 7:22 AM

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I know there have been forum posts here on converting from mechanical to hydraulic brake systems but does anyone have specific info on converting on a '38 Ford tudor sedan?

Wondering about costs and approaches [kits, parts, etc.].

Thanks,

Tom

ken ct.

03-06-2016 @ 8:08 AM

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Your not going to gain much doing so. Mostly what you will gain is ,possibly leaks ,lighter wallet and brakes that stop no better than correctly adj. mechanicles. omo ken ct.

trjford8

03-06-2016 @ 8:25 AM

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Tom, the mechanical cable brakes will work just fine with the proper shoes and adjustments. The conversion can be rather expensive and the gain may not be worth the expense.

CharlieStephens

03-06-2016 @ 11:40 AM

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Tom,

I feel like a broken record. Note that is not aimed at just you but many people. Not having any idea where you are located I would like to suggest you drive over to Richard Lacy at earlyv8@aol.com (mail), earlyv8garage.net (web site), (626) 338-2282, (855) 268-0325. Talk to him and get his advice. He makes a master cylinder mount that uses the original pedals that you might consider. If you live in Florida forget the driving part, just call him.

One good thing about mechanical brakes is they can sit unused for long periods and then work when you need them. Hydraulic brakes don't do well when sitting for long periods. How are you going to use the car, a parade once or twice a year or frequent high speed driving? You should also consider using the Bendix style (as used on Lincoln) brakes reproduced by MT Car Products, http://www.mtcarproducts.com , (530) 872-0122, if they fit in the budget. If you live close drive over and check them out. If you live in Maine, probably better to call. Richard Lacy is a dealer for these brakes and very knowledgeable about them. And then there is silicone brake fluid, some swear by it and others swear at it.

Charlie Stephens

This message was edited by CharlieStephens on 3-6-16 @ 12:44 PM

1934 Ford

03-06-2016 @ 5:28 PM

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I've owned lots of Fords with mechanical brakes. I converted the first 1934 to Hydraulic brakes before I knew what I was doing. After that I learned that the
way Henry said to adjust mechanicals was a better plan.

1934 Ford's since 1972

ford38v8

03-06-2016 @ 10:33 PM

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Tom, The Cable mechanicals you have in a '38 Ford are superior to any other Ford mechanicals, bar none.
The Hotchkiss hydraulics in a '39-'48 Ford are inferior to any other Ford hydraulics, bar none.
A conversion to the Hotchkiss Ford hydraulic system is definitely not an improvement over your present system.
As Charlie Stevens suggested, the Lincoln Bendix hydraulic system is the way to go if you really feel you must go hydraulic.

Alan

This message was edited by ford38v8 on 3-6-16 @ 10:34 PM

carducci7

03-07-2016 @ 8:30 AM

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Very helpful; thanks.

carducci7

03-07-2016 @ 8:36 AM

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Thanks, Charlie, as a complete novice here, your reply was extremely helpful. Indeed, i may just look into the mechanical side more and not worry about converting.

I'd be driving both locally [50-100 miles round trip] and regionally [100-300 roundtrip] but not going cross country or up and down the East Coast. I live in far western North Carolina.

Thanks,

Tom Ezell
Waynesville, NC

carducci7

03-07-2016 @ 8:39 AM

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Alan:

As I just said to Charlie Stephens, your response was extremely helpful; it encourages me to stick with the mechanicals as I am not planning any extensive travelling.

Thanks,

Tom Ezell
Waynesville, NC

Stroker

03-07-2016 @ 10:00 AM

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I've driven 38's with both mechanical's and hydraulic. My dad converted my current 38 Station Wagon to hydraulic in about 1940, using 39 components. If it was feasible, I'd switch it BACK.. In the 50's I had a highly-"modified" stroker (296-cubic-inch 3-3/8 x 4-1/8) 59-A in this car, and of course the hydraulic's were a big help at the time. Now the car has a 48-"properly-dressed" 59-A with vintage-correct induction and electrics; and is destined to be a Parade Queen. The hydraulics are not needed, and as other's have stated do not lend themselves to long periods of inactivity. If you have all the cables, linkage and brake "innards", you should keep them. Besides, it's what your 38 is SUPPOSED to have..!

This message was edited by Stroker on 3-7-16 @ 10:03 AM

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