power brakes?
- Thread starter Woodie UK
- Start date
Ah gonna need more info on what it uses in the brake department, you might have to get dirty here Colin.
1937 USA and UK used string brakes, hydraulic didn't turn up till 1939.
To recommend a correctly sized master cylinder, we need the original master cylinder bore or the wheel cylinder sizes and type? As in two cylinders on front each side or one double end cylinder per side. It's possible they used the 1939-48 US stuff or Pilot hydro mechanical. A pic of brake assembly with the drum off would help immensely here.
Martin.
1937 USA and UK used string brakes, hydraulic didn't turn up till 1939.
To recommend a correctly sized master cylinder, we need the original master cylinder bore or the wheel cylinder sizes and type? As in two cylinders on front each side or one double end cylinder per side. It's possible they used the 1939-48 US stuff or Pilot hydro mechanical. A pic of brake assembly with the drum off would help immensely here.
Martin.
Woodie UK
Member
Hi Guys,
Finally got some pics of the disassembled wheel and master cylinder for your delectation.
The wheel cylinders are 1 1/4 in and the master cylinder is 1 inch.
Some guys here in the UK think the master cylinder might be from a Ford Pilot but the wheel cylinders have drawn a blank.
I can rebuild the wheel cylinders but was thinking of installing one of those underfloor power brake units. Anybody fitted one they can recommend?
Colin
Finally got some pics of the disassembled wheel and master cylinder for your delectation.
The wheel cylinders are 1 1/4 in and the master cylinder is 1 inch.
Some guys here in the UK think the master cylinder might be from a Ford Pilot but the wheel cylinders have drawn a blank.
I can rebuild the wheel cylinders but was thinking of installing one of those underfloor power brake units. Anybody fitted one they can recommend?
Colin
Attachments
Mustang drum/drum master cylinders come in one inch I believe, these can be used with/without servo. Your gonna be fabricating/modifying parts to get it in there. And need to fit pressure check valves front and back.
Why do you feel the need for a servo? As you probably know, the servo don't make brakes better, just less pedal pressure for more brake force. They will still fade. And still be drums. I've had drums with a servo, and I wouldn't do it again. Brakes got very sensitive, and got a fat lip off the steering wheel on repeated occasion.
tended to lock to easy in the wet or slippery stuff.
any chance of a pic of the loaded back plate? Be nice to know what's in there and the diameter of the brakes. The cylinder looks a fair match for the bendix type self energizing brakes.
Martin.
Why do you feel the need for a servo? As you probably know, the servo don't make brakes better, just less pedal pressure for more brake force. They will still fade. And still be drums. I've had drums with a servo, and I wouldn't do it again. Brakes got very sensitive, and got a fat lip off the steering wheel on repeated occasion.
tended to lock to easy in the wet or slippery stuff.
any chance of a pic of the loaded back plate? Be nice to know what's in there and the diameter of the brakes. The cylinder looks a fair match for the bendix type self energizing brakes.
Martin.
Chris Nelson
Senior Member
The wheel cylinder in your picture looks to be the same as the 39 to 48 wheel cylinder. The master cylinder is an unknown to me. there are several people that make the underfloor power brake setup. I used Pirate Jack for mine with a 7 inch booster.
V8 Bob
Well-known member
The wheel cylinder's bore is the same for both pistons, and has two mounting bolts, possibly duo-servo Bendix, but completely different from '39-'48 Lockheeds with stepped bores and 3 mounting bolts.
Woodie UK
Member
Got to go with the power option as my wife would like to drive the car when its finished but she won't touch anything that hasn't got power assistance....
I'd put discs on the front if I could but nobody seems to make any kits that take the big hole wheels which I want to retain.
Colin
I'd put discs on the front if I could but nobody seems to make any kits that take the big hole wheels which I want to retain.
Colin
Mart
Well-known member
As the master cylinder is an oddball it might be worth looking for a modern replacement that is the same diameter. If there is room for the servo right at the master cylinder mount, look for a unit that can be mounted right in there. Some small cars have small diameter servos, but small cylinders, you might need to adapt a bigger cylinder to a smaller servo.
Having written all that, what may be the best scenario would be to rebuild the master, or replace with either something modern but the same diameter, or something old but still available like early ford or mustang. Then plumb in an add-on remote servo. These used to be available as a kit (Girling powerstop) and were used in lots of cars in the 60's and 70's. It can be mounted virtually anywhere.
Best of both worlds, keep everything standard, power brakes for the missus. The servo could be removed by a subsequent owner down the line if not wanted.
Mart.
Edit: I had a look (remote servo) on ebay and there are plenty of new ones for less than £100. Some say 1.90:1 ratio, some say 1.65:1, I'd go for the lesser ratio.
Having written all that, what may be the best scenario would be to rebuild the master, or replace with either something modern but the same diameter, or something old but still available like early ford or mustang. Then plumb in an add-on remote servo. These used to be available as a kit (Girling powerstop) and were used in lots of cars in the 60's and 70's. It can be mounted virtually anywhere.
Best of both worlds, keep everything standard, power brakes for the missus. The servo could be removed by a subsequent owner down the line if not wanted.
Mart.
Edit: I had a look (remote servo) on ebay and there are plenty of new ones for less than £100. Some say 1.90:1 ratio, some say 1.65:1, I'd go for the lesser ratio.
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With the remote servos on the bay, get a genuine one not a fake. I've had to sort issues with folk who ordered the fake ones, genuine ones mostly work out of the box, if the little spring is under the white cap for the air filter. Had one that it was missing. One phone call and it was sorted.
Discs, have a word with Dick Spadaro. He sells an adaptor that allows fitting the wide five stud pattern wheels to late model hubs, used in conjunction with a disc kit for your spindles, I think you'd be job, jobbed.
Martin.
Discs, have a word with Dick Spadaro. He sells an adaptor that allows fitting the wide five stud pattern wheels to late model hubs, used in conjunction with a disc kit for your spindles, I think you'd be job, jobbed.
Martin.