disc brake conversion

1

1917modelt

Member
can i install disc brakes on my 1928 model A and still use the stock
wire wheels.
and if i can, who sells such a kit, for all 4 wheels

thanks
 
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Ron Kelleys' Sister once listed her Model A for sale, with 21's & DISC BRAKES. I Imagine Ron built it, but I don't know what components he used???
Bill W.
 
Post the question on the HAMB and you will probably get better results, as the hot rodders may have already done this.
 
BILL WILLIAMSON said:
Ron Kelleys' Sister once listed her Model A for sale, with 21's & DISC BRAKES. I Imagine Ron built it, but I don't know what components he used???
Bill W.
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Bill, this was Ron Kelley's DAUGHTER . Her 28 Tudor, had it thru high school and later . Met him at the 2008 world meet in Dallas, TX and she had it for sale later. Not sure where it is now. It had 4 wheel disc and you didn't really notice because of the 21" wheels. Have fun modelAtony tony white Lafayette, LA
 
Here are some photos and notes of the major components used to install hydraulic disc brakes on a Model A Ford that I saw in Tasmania in 2010.
 

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Speedway now sells the disk brake kits for the 37-41 spindles with the 5 on 5 1/2" bolt pattern. Not much trouble to put 37-41 spindles on an A axle. Steering arms are the biggest challenge. Rod
 
Wish I could be more helpful but disc brakes are a dark place where I don’t want (or need) to go.

Disc brakes are great. Disc brakes are “probably the greatest thing since sliced bread”.

With disc brakes you can stop several times in rapid succession from 100+ MPH (are you going to be doing this, otherwise drum brakes will work just fine?).

With disc brakes you can stop safely while towing a heavy trailer (are you going to be doing this, otherwise drum brakes will work just fine?).

With disc brakes you don’t have to worry about brake fade when going down steep mountain roads (any plans to go down the Beartooth Highway in Montana, it's beautiful?).

With disc brakes you don’t have to worry about brake fade when fording streams or flooded streets (does it rain a lot where you live?).

With disc brakes you don’t need to find someone to turn your drums and arc your shoes every 20 years when you do a brake job (at the rate I drive).

With disc brakes you can enjoy explaining at a car show what all that “funny” stuff is attached to your axle.

With disc brakes you can enjoy cleaning the brake dust off of the wire wheels. Something people with drum brakes can’t experience.

With disc brakes you can take pride in having something unique. You can mix and match parts from several makes and years until they all work together. Why just use ’40-’48 Ford brakes (or Lincoln brakes) like everyone else when you can experiment with disc brakes. A brake system is a great place to experiment (hope it comes out well, let me know when/where you will be doing your test drives).

By all means install disc brakes, but I will stick with drum brakes.

Charlie Stephens
 
Disc brakes mostly need boosting so consider that also.
You will need a vacuum supply.
I know some vehicles had disc brakes in the past that did not boost them, I owned one such vehicle but I also could not recommend that set up.

I know I spoke with a guy from Melbourne Australia several years ago and he was fitting drum brakes from an early model Holden and down sized Chevy looking vehicle from the 1960's to his model T and he seemed to think that was the way to go.

Ford juice brakes go well on model A's and pretty much have been tried and tested.
Disc brakes topic at times is not one you expect much sympathy on the HAMB as they are a more traditional bunch...
 
I would love a set up like disc brakes on mine. I know its over kill and can be argued forever, but driving it on a daily basis in Central Fl traffic is a bit of a thrill and not always the good kind. People cant drive around here and have no problem cutting off a car that doesn't stop as quickly as theirs. I would love hydraulic drums too, just time and money I guess..
 
here is one I that I put together a while back. and use 16" wires. and there is a big problem with this set up using Model A wheels. on Model A wheels the brake Drum is part of the structure of the wheel, without the drum the full side load is put on the lug nut area and they will not take it for long, even the 16" wires are designed to be against the drum, but they can take more of a side load. also you have to space the wheels out from the hub over 1"

just my two cents
 

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fiftyv8 said:
Please explain wise one???
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You wont live long enough to count all the race cars of various types running around with disc brakes, and none of them are powered....I believe that is what Pete is referring to with his statement, and I agree with him, for once.:)
 
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