[Chrysler300] Whoa, Nelly

["Richard Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx>]

Downshifting is always good for slowing, but not much good for stopping.
The two-speed Powerflite3 in our ?55 300 will certainly slow you down when
the ?dagger-on-the-dash? is dropped into low?if you have time.  Old Buicks
with Dynaflows had the reverse position in the lowest position of the
selector lever.  A friend said his kid reached over and yanked the selector
down while he was driving and the old Buick flat stopped.  I?d heard similar
other stories about Dynaflows.  Moving the gear selection to the left hand
pillar of the ?56 Chryslers kept the passengers out of the driving game.

There has been lots of healthy and respectful chatter on the old problem of
stopping a moving vehicle.  And, it is interesting to note that the very
?highest? technology in current cars can have the same basic problem when
computers take over throttling, braking and so many other tasks.  That said,
braking systems have been evolving for years and are responsible for a good
portion of the reduction in the highway death rate.  Chrysler, of course,
was an early leader in the use of hydraulic brakes across the line and the
wide use of disc brakes on Imperials was also early on the scene.  I think I
read where they were installed on the racing hemi Saratoga's of the early
'50's, including "Adam"--the predecessor of the 300.  Regretfully, Chrysler
did not follow through with these on the early 300's.  But the early 300's
could be converted to Imperial brakes as I understand it.  Anyone heard or
experienced how those old disc-brake Imperials stopped?

No one has mentioned the old problem of a ?road pop? can or other junk
rolling out from under the front seat and lodging itself under the brake
pedal.

I expect this thread will encourage some to review the braking systems on
their 300's and take any actions to preserve car and carcass.  Moving "road
pop" cans, flashlights, Kleenex boxes, gloves, rags and tools out from under
the front seat is a recommended action.

C-300'ly,
Rich Barber
Brentwood, CA
1955 Chrysler 300--headed to two local car shows this week-end, along with
at least one fellow 300 owner attending his first car show.

________________________________________
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of moparpjf@xxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 8:39 AM
To: robkern@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; hurst300@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Dual master cylinder conversion

  
Query:

Why not push the buttons for the lower gears (1 or 2)? Strikes me 
that downshifting the car into first or second would have a better effect
than 
having it in reverse with an automatic kick out into neutral.

Pete Fitch




In a message dated 4/21/2010 9:02:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
robkern@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

Hello 300'ly to all!
My Dad did the similar thing with tail gaters with our '57 DeSoto. He 
would gently push the reverse button to engage the back-up lights. Worked 
like a charm. The transmission has a safety default in that pushing the 
reverse button when in drive at speeds 15 mph or greater will move the
manual 
control lever to the neutral position and when the vehicle drops to less 
than 15 mph it will be necessary to reposition the R button. ROB KERN
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Ray Jones 
Cc: Chrysler 300 Broadcast 
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 6:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Dual master cylinder conversion

On Apr 21, 2010, at 12:37 PM, keboonstra wrote:

And how about this related question. Suppose your brakes went out and all 
you now had was your parking brake to save you from certain mayhem. Would 
you pull the brake just a little to slow down gradually and risk having it 
fade and become useless? Or would you pull it decisively so as to lock it up

before it has a chance to fade from overheat? Would pulling it too hard at 
speed bust up the brake and leave you with nothing?

>>> I seem to remember that the California Hi-way patrol tested cars every 
year for suitability for use by them. Mopars failed the "Emergency stop" 
test regularly. 
I remember photos of the Driveshaft being snapped off, either leaving the 
car with nothing or actually dropping to the road and causing more 
problems. 
I also think that this was the reason Mopar went to standard rear drum 
emergency brakes, loss of sales of fleet cars. I think there is a Hot Rod
mag 
article on this test.

Or how about hitting the "R" button at road speed? Is there a lockout to 
keep it from going to reverse at certain speeds? That maneuver may possibly 
throw your car in a spin, but prudently done it might be better than 
coasting a half mile looking for a soft tree to stop you. 

>>> Won't work. My buddy had a new '57 Fury and he would push the "R" 
button if someone was too close. 
He also did this once at over 100 with some Bad Bikers chasing us and they 
faded fast when those back-up lights came on!

Ray

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