Brake Conundrum

DieselFlatHead

DieselFlatHead

Junior Member
Hello all!

I purchased a 30 Model A pickup. Lots of work ahead of me and I appreciate any and all advise

So for my first question...

The rear brakes are hydraulic with the front original mechanical. The truck was never finished. So which way to go? This is not about the merits of mechanical verses hydraulic. It's more about which is the simplest/cost effective way to go - sourcing original rear mechanical brakes or front hydraulics?

Thanks.
 
I suppose it matters what you want to end up with. If it's just a driver then finishing the hydraulic conversion is ok. Either can be made to function well. Any idea what the juice brakes came off of?
 
you will have equal braking with less trouble using the mechanicals.

find a local Model A mentor who does their own mechanical work to guide you.....
 
I disagree with the above, convert the front to hydraulic and be done. Many times the entire package can be found here on the EV8 swap section or over on the HAMB


JMO


Paul in CT
 
I agree with what Chris in WNC states. Well rebuilt original brakes work Great!
AND, NO Wheel Cylinders to leak!
 
I remembered that I have a complete rear end from a 1935 Ford Tudor Sedan. Don't know if the brakes would fit. If so, it would be the easiest and cheapest option. I have the front suspension too.

Not that I have plans to drop in a V8, the "over-engineering" in me says to go with front discs. My plan is to keep it stock and leave the performance to the '35 I am building.

I'll check the boards for a front hydraulic setup. At this point, it's whatever is easiest.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
The simples, most cost effective way to go is to drive the thing and see how well it brakes as is. Then see if it can be adjusted/repaired if something is worn or broken. Then consider a larger modification.

If you already know you want all stock, or know you want all hydraulic, that's a different situation.

Or are you saying it was never on the road in this configuration, and you have to either finish or revert to original?
 
You will find as many mechanical adherents as hydraulic in every discussion but to answer your original question: If you still have the cross-shaft and all the parts forward of it, you will be able to put mechanicals on the back for less money by shopping carefully. A mix of used parts and new parts will get you there.

I spent a lot of money and time rebuilding my mechanical system, it works well but if I were starting from scratch, I would probably go hydraulic.

You spend much less time once a hydraulic system is in place than you will spend getting a mechanical system balanced front to back and side to side.
The 1935 rear will have bigger diameter drums than the stock Model A had and I think the parking brake is completely different.
 
Either brake system is going to take time instal. I would spend the time on hydraulic myself if the rear brakes are done well.

John
 
If you drive the A frequently the juice brakes will be nice. However: Mechanical brakes work well for a long time if they are installed right. and... Any time you convert something over, you are bound to get some surprises along the way. Let's say you need a bracket welded on to hold the hose...can you do that at home?

Whatever you do I recommend that you end up with cast drums, and get rid of the stamped steel drums.

In the end weigh the facts and go from there.
 
Ivan in southeast va. said:
The brake lines have to be added, like an after thought. Model A's have a lot of vibration. If you spring a leak, you have NO brakes.
Click to expand...

NOT necessarily so. Over here, Hydraulic brakes MUST have a split system so if there is a leak, the other half will work, either front or back only is better than nothing. I think only the stupid would install a single master cylinder but that would allow Darwin to do his work.
If the OP want to go hydraulic, I suggest a split system for safety and to allow the front/back bias to be correctly set up - unlike Henry's split which might have been OK in the day but is not in today's traffic and on today's roads.
 
The pickup was never finished. The rear looks like it was just taken from another car; the lines are cut and rusty.

I haven't priced out a front hydraulic kit nor a used rear mechanical. Carlisle is coming up, so maybe I can find something there.
 
To get mechanical brakes to work properly with all parts like/are new, will cost about as much as a new hydraulic system?
 
If you are building a hot rod or close to it, go hydraulic and don't look back. If you want something near stock, go with mechanical brakes and enjoy your ride. The mechanical brakes really do work well for a vehicle that is not running a V8 and cruising at 65 mph. Once you cross the hot rod threshold, you will want hydraulic brakes.
 
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