Power brakes ?
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Power brakes ?
Posted: August 05 2007 09:08 AM
 
Richard Sackett (aka sach) [ View ] [ dickyfix@triad.rr.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Cana, Virginia
(276) 755-3944
 
Ok guys & gals,

I need some input on the pros and cons of running a street rod without power brakes. It's been many years since I've driven a car WITHOUT power brakes and I was curious to hear from you all , about how well your rod reacts without the power assist.

Thanks,

Sach
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by RSLUGGOBOY  -  08/05/2007 10:06 AM
MAKE THE BREAK PEDAL LARGE ENOUGH FOR 2 FEET
RSLUGGOBOY [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] SALINAS, California
 
Posted by sach  -  08/05/2007 10:16 AM
Mark,

Is this a pro or a con ? LOL

Sach
sach [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Cana, Virginia
 
Posted by kylew  -  08/05/2007 12:53 PM
How big is your car and how do you plan to drive it? Were you satisfied with manual brakes on the older cars? Can you make the switch back and forth easily from your daily driver? My Model A had manual brakes (disc front) and manual steering and both worked well for me. It weighed 2650 lbs and the brakes would put you into the windshield in a hard stop. More than adequate for my driving and I'm not one to spare the horses. Manual saves a little time, money,and room on the build but will probably hurt you when the time comes to sell the car. On a big car or a big block car I'd go power or the biggest diameter manual discs/drums i could fit.
kylew [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Charleston, West Virginia
 
Posted by gman0046  -  08/05/2007 12:59 PM
No need not to have power disc brakes. It's not that big of a deal or expense to install. When you need to stop, you need to stop. Thats why Detroit installed power disc brakes, they work better.
gman0046 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Anchorage, Kentucky
 
Posted by sach  -  08/05/2007 04:20 PM
Well, it all comes done to available room on my build, meaning, I don't have adequate space. I'm building a1928 Essex 4 door, using a '91 Corvette TPI and 700R 4. My frame rails measure 24" wide , front to back, just like a ladder. The space left between the rail and trans is just 7" , barely enough room for a 7" booster, never mind getting enough room for an under the floor brake pedal to clear the housing over my torque converter. My engine sits back into the firewall by 6" and putting a power brake booster and master cylinder on the outside of the wall would look terrible. Also, with an under the floor master, I've got to have room for a steering column through the floor in that area. I've seen quite a few street rods and muscle cars without power brakes and was curious how effective the brakes operate without power assist. I haven't driven a manual brake system car in 45 years and can't remember how well, or not so well, they operate. An option I've considered would be a hydro-boost system if I could make an under the floor brake pedal, clear my trans housing and steering column. However, manual brakes are first on my list for consideration.

Sach
sach [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Cana, Virginia
 
Posted by gman0046  -  08/05/2007 05:31 PM
Sach, In the past I've had the same space constraints that you have and installed a remote booster. You can put them any place you have room.
gman0046 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Anchorage, Kentucky
 
Posted by kylew  -  08/05/2007 06:46 PM
For what it may be worth here is a (poor) pic of one way to locate the master cylinder. Look at the two bolts under the bend of the left tailpipe; those are the bottom bolts in the master cylinder. The MC faced to the rear and the tubing exited to the left side along the frame rail. The MC came of @ 1991 Escort with manual disc brakes. The NAPA or Advance Auto websites usually have pics to help in finding one. This setup requires an under floor bell crank at the pedal and about a 30-36 inch pushrod from the bell crank back to the MC. I believe this setup is common to older T-buckets and Model As so you may find some ideas looking at rolling chassis from some of the vendors. This is the only pic I can find-sorry.
kylew [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Charleston, West Virginia
 
Posted by orphans2  -  08/05/2007 07:53 PM
I wouldn't mind having power brakes on my 34 Plymouth sedan (3240 lbs.) someday, but for now I really don't have many braking issues with disc brakes on both axles. The big 11 inch vetter rear brakes make braking pretty good. Before I upgrade to power, I think I am going for either 11" or 12 " discs up front. After that maybe I see where a power unit might fit.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by gman0046  -  08/05/2007 09:03 PM
Sach, remote boosters are not particularly expensive. All you need is a vacuum source to operate.
gman0046 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Anchorage, Kentucky
 
Posted by ronhotrod  -  08/05/2007 09:14 PM
all of the comments thus far are true. However if you think back, starting in 1971 GM produced a lot of 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks without power brakes. disc front and drum rears. trick is to match the braking system with the wieght and use of the vehicle. meaning don't put small 9 inch MustangII front brakes and larger 9 inch Ford rear drums, won't work well. Need to do 60-75% of the stopping with the front brakes. So use large enough componnets to handle the job matched with a correctly plumbed system and cruise on
ronhotrod [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Mount washington, Kentucky Charter Member since July 2001
 
Posted by da34guy  -  08/05/2007 09:51 PM
Use a remote booster, mount it any where and get on with the build.
Don [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Prescott, Arizona Charter Member since October 2001
 
Posted by fitzwell   -  08/06/2007 10:41 AM
Hate to disagree...my 46 pickup has the stock MII calipers & rotors on the front, 10" brakes on the rear. 76 vette m/cylinder(no power assist). Truck squats & stops. Period. No fuss, no drama 1/4 line on the front, 3/16 to the rear. Residual valves front & rear. Adjustable proportioniong valve to the rear.
normal?? Normal is a cycle on a washing machine [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] benbrook, Texas
 
Posted by jimmothershead  -  08/06/2007 11:23 AM
.........and the application is ???

Go with the Tune Port.....use all Street & Performance goodies. MUST have correct pump in the tank.

Need help? Jim Mothershead, 410 535 1933 in Maryland
Jim [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huntingtown, Maryland
 
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