Brake de-conversion question

29tudorsedan

29tudorsedan

Member
Hi all,

I recently recieved a phone call from family asking me if I wanted to purchase a coupe that has family history.

I'm interested in it, since none of my cars have any family lineage, but the car has hydraulic brakes.

My question is, assuming the set-up was done fairly well/is servicable, how much of a task would it be to return to mechanical brakes?

In the interim if I buy the car I'd go through the current set up to be able to drive the car and get a feel for it and what other things it may need.

Any opinions or experience welcome.

I try to keep my cars as correct as I can, but the opportunity to own a car I remember from growing up is very enticing to me, I just need to know what I'm getting into with hydraulic brakes on an A or what I'm getting into as far as the process of returning to mechanical brakes.

Thanks!
 
It should not be a big project to convert back to mechanicals. The parts are readily available.

Good properly restored mechanical brakes work very well. I would consider using the new cast iron drums and soft lining as I feel this makes for very good brakes and a lot less fade than would be experienced if you stayed with the original stamped steel drums.

Randy Gross can provide you with complete properly rebuilt backing plate assemblies and cast iron drums.

Mechanical brakes have the advantage of not having a master cylinder or wheel cylinders that leak when the car is not driven for a long period of time.

If the current hydraulic system is in poor condition, You may find it is more economical to go ahead and convert to mechanical and not repair the hydraulic system.

I am sure others may have a different opinion but please understand:

THIS IS JUST MY OPINION,

Chris W.
 
29tudorsedan said:
Any opinions or experience welcome.
Click to expand...

Leave it alone, gather all the parts as good deals present themselves then if you want to you can get it done with the minimum amount of effort and cost.

In the meantime enjoy the car.

If the work was done correctly then it would be a simple swap, time consuming, but simple.

There is a post here about a gentleman that is selling a completely restored mechanical brake system with a suggested selling price of 2000.00. Contact him if you really want to proceed ASAP.

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186718
 
Tear down the juice brakes and make sure they work. Juice brakes will fail just sitting around. You still need to be sure you have the shoes arced to fit the drums too. You also need to inspect for screwy design issues.

Every older car that was new to me has had the wheels off and brakes inspected before I drive them.
 
I bought a deluxe sedan a few years ago that had hydralic brakes, and I converted the car back to mechanical with no problems. I used new brake rods, new linings, and everything else used.
 

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Flathead Ted's brake kit is excellent because it solves the Ford design flaws preventing the brake shoes from centering in the drums and equalizing the braking action. In my opinion, Flathead Ted's brake kit is superior to hydraulic brakes.
 
Should be straight forward. If you need cross shafts and backing plates let me know. I don't have any of the 30-31 park brake shafts, but seem to have plenty of the rest of the stuff. Still healing up from last weeks surgery, so will be at least another week before I am doing much. Rod
 
I have the complete setup, I just posted asking what they might be worth as buying a complete conversion is pricey. I'd be willing to trade with someone wanting to go back to mechanicals. If I can't get something worked out I will go ahead and run the mechanicals as I see no benefit of performance...only aesthetics on a fenderless car.
 
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