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Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?
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58Jackie
Posted 2018-09-13 1:20 AM (#570036)
Subject: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Hey guys, I'd like your input here on what I should do. I'm torn on whether to go to disc brakes or restore the drum brakes.

Drum brakes- is there a later style aftermarket drum brake kit I can get?
I don't understand really the setup of the current brakes... I already tried to remove the drum, am I supposed to remove that nut/pin first from the hub?

Disc brakes- is there any conversion kit out there? Any good ones to trust, maybe like Wilwood?
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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-09-13 1:57 AM (#570037 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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front or rears?

AAJ or Scarebird makes an inexpensive front kit, youll typically want a dual master(safety). Tons of posts on this.

I went with Scarebird since im running 15-16 inch rims, 14 you should go aaj.

Fronts and rear always have a nut, rears require a seriously strong puller.

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=65435&...


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Mopar1
Posted 2018-09-13 11:46 AM (#570046 - in reply to #570037)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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The OEM brakes were obsolete by the early 60s, and modern drum brakes are pretty much obsolete also. Why recondition something 2 generations out of date?
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plymouth
Posted 2018-09-13 11:59 AM (#570047 - in reply to #570046)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Disc brakes all the way.
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uncltank
Posted 2018-09-13 2:37 PM (#570051 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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dlyle
Posted 2018-09-13 3:50 PM (#570054 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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I redid the drum brakes on my 57 Fireflite with nearly all NOS parts. Watched all the Chrysler Master Mechanic videos and did all the tricks....put the springs in the right locations etc and they are still causing me problems.

Evertime I get an older car I go through the brakes they work perfectly when done...but the Mopar stuff is finicky. Next time around I'd be inclined to go with discs.
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hemidenis
Posted 2018-09-13 9:10 PM (#570066 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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depending of your rims. I would keep the drums since the kits available are tricky to make them work and these brakes calipers were designed for cars 1500 pound lighter than yours.
15" rims could be converted with Dodge truck set up which sound more convincing.

My 61 New yorker has the original drums and can lock up the wheels, something that AJJ kit for 14" rim can not do.
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59 in Calif
Posted 2018-09-13 10:04 PM (#570068 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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If you want to spend a lot of money and then some more lot of money paying someone to try to make disc brakes work, not to mention all the headaches !! Find a 63 or 64 Chry and get the front brakes off of it. Ball joint to ball joint, spindles, backing plates drums every thing. The ball joints are same part # for Ply, Dodge, Desoto & Chry 57 - 64. And you get 11" x 3" brake shoes. More than enough to stop that Ply. Put new shoes, cyl and hose and your are ready to go. Unbolt that rear axel from the springs and throw it away. Find a late 60's Ply rear axel ass'y and put that in there. That will give you 11 x 2 1/2" shoes in the rear. This up grade will stop that Ply on a dime and give you change. And all the parts can be bought at your local Napa parts store. I did this upgrade on wife's 59 Dodge. A heavier car than that Ply, even in the hills haven't experienced any brake issues and without power brake unit. And you can run 14" or 15" wheels, whatever you want. Plus the benefit of rear wheels parking brake. For years I have been reading the posts about nightmare issues with disc conversions. I prefer to learn from someone else's mistakes. Give it some thought before you make a decision. Jerry
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51coronet
Posted 2018-09-14 2:31 AM (#570080 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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discs. Change the master to a dual that is made for discs or disc drum. Maybe play with a later booster if you need to. Its easy on the front, not expensive, over the counter replacement pads and rotors, safer, doesn't reduce the value, can be reversed. Its a no brainer to put discs on the fronts at a minimum. rears is a little more involved depending on several factors. I did rears on a 57 imperial. It worked out for me.
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57plymouth
Posted 2018-09-14 6:54 AM (#570083 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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I am always amazed when people argue to keep antiquated safety devices on a car.

Don't be an idiot. If you need to do major work to your car, buy either the AAJ or Scarebird brakes and be safe.

Drum brakes were marginal 60 years ago when people were not distracted by cell phones. Only an imbecile thinks that they are as good as disc brakes in modern traffic.
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hemidenis
Posted 2018-09-14 2:27 PM (#570097 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Brian.
I was diving about 60 miles in the left (4 line highway) with my 61 new Yorker. I always keep about 4-5 cars distance from the car ahead.

Coming from a long curve we all see the traffic standing still. Instinctively I slammed on my brakes when I saw the Lexus SUV in front of me braking hard. My new Yorker lock up the front tires and I actually had to easy on the brakes to let the tires roll back... Car stopped just fine with the bias ply tires and the smoke inside of the car told me it was a definitely lock up.

Drum brakes works fine if they are service properly, I do not justify the headache of converting the brakes for something it is just not enough stopping power if you keep your 14" rims. Double brake circuit could be considered, but again the chances of changing the master cylinder and keep the original power brakes is slim.

As i said 15" may worth the try.






Edited by hemidenis 2018-09-14 2:41 PM
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60 dart
Posted 2018-09-14 5:47 PM (#570106 - in reply to #570083)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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57plymouth - 2018-09-14 6:54 AM

I am always amazed when people argue to keep antiquated safety devices on a car.

Don't be an idiot. If you need to do major work to your car, buy either the AAJ or Scarebird brakes and be safe.

Drum brakes were marginal 60 years ago when people were not distracted by cell phones. Only an imbecile thinks that they are as good as disc brakes in modern traffic.




best brake quote yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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1960fury
Posted 2018-09-14 6:37 PM (#570110 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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I converted to discs front/rear 20 years ago. Never regreted it and will never go back (yet, I kept all the OE stuff). Discs are better, no doubt. That said, claiming the OE brakes are unsafe is nonsense. They lock the wheels anytime, maybe even faster than discs (unlike discs, self energized, 6 "forward" brake shoes). So how much more stopping power do you want? And how are the chances for repeated panic stops?

I prefer discs because I drive much faster than the intended usage for these cars, but mostly because they weight a fraction of the drums. They make the car ride smoother and safer (less unsprung weight) and also cut rotating mass, which makes the car more responsive and more efficient. The difference is noticeable. Another plus, they require no maintenance and linings are changed in seconds. And yes, I ran the OE brakes for 10 years and never had any problems, like the people back in the day.

I must add I live in a country that is flat as Texas, so maybe people living in the mountains have a different opinion/experience.

Edited by 1960fury 2018-09-14 6:53 PM
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59 in Calif
Posted 2018-09-14 6:43 PM (#570111 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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At the point where the brakes ( drum or disc ) lock up the tire, it done it's job !! It can do no more ! It is now up to the tire and road speed to stop the vechicle. And that takes time and distance. It seems to have become a normal driving habit ( especially these jap crap cars ) to follow too close to car ahead, not allowing enough safe stopping distance. Then want to blame someone else when 6 cars slam into each other. I have been driving drum brake cars since the late 50's and have never rear ended another car. As far as driving in the hills, disc brakes will fade too ! The problem here is people, not the brakes. No matter what kind of brake it is, it has it's limits. Most people don't have a clue as to what brakes have to do to stop a vechicle. Jerry
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jboymechanic
Posted 2018-09-14 9:13 PM (#570118 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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I have 4 wheel disc brakes on my 1960 Plymouth, very happy with them. I purchased from AAJ and installation was easy and I recommend his setup. I did have to change my master cylinder as I was not happy with the pedal feel of the first unit I put in, but was able to figure it out. If your current drum brakes are junk, you can spend just as much money replacing them as you would spend on discs (it's darn close anyway).

As for all of the "drums will lock up the tires" comments, you guys don't understand what good braking is. You want to slow down the wheel as much as possible WITHOUT locking them up as locking the tires up INCREASES stopping distance.
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hemidenis
Posted 2018-09-15 12:16 AM (#570126 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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I know how to brake, ridding motorcycles in all weather conditions for more than 25 years teach you that. The new yorker got me but surprise, I was not expecting such a suddenly grab after reading so many bad drums reviews in here..

Still nobody explained the fact of installing 3200 pounds brake system in a 4800 pounds car is going to work just fine. That is like loading your Plymouth Volare (the brakes of AJJ kit) with 1600 pounds of bricks, trow it in at the highway at 65 miles/h and pretend is going to brake just fine.

Nobody can deny that disk brakes are better, but it is not a kit in the market, that you can just install and drive in to sunset, dozen if not hundred of threads in here tell us different.

However, if you are commuting to work daily or putting 30,000 miles a year to the car or driving in the autobahn at 80m/h, drums may require more frequent maintenance than disc.

18-wheeler and heavy equipment are still using drums, also Juan manuel fangio drove a drum brake Maserati in 1957 around a 14 miles Nürburgring race track at 180 miles/h top speed, clocking 9:17.4 a time that even today 61 years later is considered unachievable with many modern cars.

Decades later after the race, when asked about drum brakes fatigue during the 3 1/2 hours race in 1957, Fangio said, "brakes worked just fine"







Edited by hemidenis 2018-09-15 12:27 AM
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JimK
Posted 2018-09-15 7:08 AM (#570134 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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"I did have to change my master cylinder as I was not happy with the pedal feel of the first unit I put in, but was able to figure it out."

Jon,

What master cylinder did you switch to?

Jim Krausmann
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1960fury
Posted 2018-09-15 7:28 AM (#570135 - in reply to #570118)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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jboymechanic - 2018-09-14 9:13 PM


As for all of the "drums will lock up the tires" comments, you guys don't understand what good braking is. You want to slow down the wheel as much as possible WITHOUT locking them up as locking the tires up INCREASES stopping distance.


I think it's you who "does not understand". Nobody said that you will have to lock them up. Please quote that line. It was just to show that they CAN lock the tires anytime, if you do it, it is up to you. The driver, not the car, must be in control.
If a brake system can't lock the tires, it is inferior, as there are circumstances that will require locked wheels for shorter stopping distances. Period.
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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-09-15 9:09 AM (#570137 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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drums are inferior, its that simple... Maintenance and performance wise, sure drums work... Price is similar, why would you go out and rebuild a car with drums?

Maybe leave the rears since they don't impact that much.

this isn't rocket science, tons of people put discs on older vehicles with ease.

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58Jackie
Posted 2018-09-16 2:21 AM (#570178 - in reply to #570137)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Thanks guys! I think I'm pretty well convinced on switching to discs now. I forgot to mention that this car will be a street rod with a 440 putting out a good amount of power so I will need a good braking system.
Furthermore, the drum brakes on my car now need a full rebuild, something that would probably cost about as much as putting discs on would. The current brakes need everything; master, total rebuild on drums, lines, and probably a few other things too. More than likely be smartest down the road decision when its on the road finally to have put discs on.

Now my experience with discs.
My driver car has discs up front, drums in back. I recently had to do a brake job on it and found out the rear drums were shot. Needed full brake job on rear. The front discs were completely fine. However even after the brake job I still feel all the brake power or grab, coming all from the front end. Very minimal in rear. It has power brakes too.
Now the car is from the 80s so the front discs aren't as high tech as they are now, but still you feel the fronts working better at stopping the car than the rear, as the rear is much slower at responsiveness to braking.
To those whom said about overloading the disc brakes, I disagree. My driver from the 80s is a land yacht and weighs much more than the Belvedere does, as the Belvedere only weighs in at 3500 pounds.
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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-09-16 8:42 AM (#570180 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=68535&...

good info here
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=65789&...

i am ordering just the brackets and standoffs from this guy directly. Should give me what I need to use the tapered axle.

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=65789&...

I will source my own rotors and calipers. Using this guys brackets. I just emailed him.

http://www.gearheadworld.com/about/contact-us.aspx


People also "axle swap"

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=33757&...

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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-09-16 8:58 AM (#570181 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.shtml

 

I was looking at using the Ford explorer 59 1/2 inch, same bolt pattern. I can get a whole rear axle(brakes and all) for like 100$ in the junkyard

I have to check the offset. not sure if the 2 inch will work?  i think the offset is 1 3/16 from factory.



Edited by mikes2nd 2018-09-16 9:12 AM
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Apollo 61
Posted 2018-09-16 1:03 PM (#570191 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: RE: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Having just picked up a 61 fury with a disc conv already done. The former owner wanted his low rider wheels back. So I brought some OEM 14s to put on the car and forgot that they wouldn't work on the discs. I wanted to put the original hubcaps back because that's the look I like. So I put 15 in disc brake wheels on it. I have been driving it around for a few days now and have to say that it brakes quite well. I like the idea of putting a 66 rearend in it. Will 66 Newport spindles and brakes fit on 61?

Edited by Apollo 61 2018-09-16 1:04 PM
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56D500boy
Posted 2018-09-16 1:59 PM (#570195 - in reply to #570181)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.shtml

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hemidenis
Posted 2018-09-16 3:56 PM (#570202 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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seems like the decision was taken before the question was asked and as many times before the thread becomes a: "how can I make my disk conversion brakes, brake better?"

switching the whole differential for a disk brakes could be a good idea, also switching the carburetor for fuel injection, the problematic power steering for a Chevy one, swapping the cast iron for the aluminum Torqueflite..bias-ply for radials....then.. presto! we have a rat rod!
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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-09-17 1:25 AM (#570229 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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I believe you mean "resto" mod...

Yes that's true. I am swapping out my carb for fuel injection. I want it to be a runner you can park for a while and simply get in a drive. rinse and repeat for 5 years...

Spring shows up, fire it up and back it out. Take it down the track if you want also. No adjusting back brakes, no carbs gumming up... just get in and have a nice drive with great brakes... Hot day? no problem...

many of these cars are never going to be original and its nice to see resto mods... you know how many 57 chevys are resto modded? I would bet its a huge percentage... do they whine an moan and go OMG its not original(like Doc and most others here, not you )… nope they go "nice 57 resto mod man"... they don't go "oh man you got rid of the drum brakes up front! you ruined the car!". That's really gotten old around here and most new guys have this complaint everyone is a total bitch about "mods" being made...

FWLKS are never going to be 57 chevys I understand that but not everyone was gathering NOS parts for their Adventurer converts or rust free original paint 40k car perfect garage finds in the 80's like the old timers were. Were new guys that simply don't have access to the parts so we "resto" mod the car. ill admit many "resto" mods are s**t... plain s**t... like shag carpet with red van seats s**t(most of these were done in the 80s and the owners thought the cars were essentially one foot in the junkyard)... Yes I hate that crap also... Do a rat/resto right or put it back to original as you can.
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1960fury
Posted 2018-09-17 8:05 AM (#570237 - in reply to #570229)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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mikes2nd - 2018-09-17 1:25 AM

I believe you mean "resto" mod...

Yes that's true. I am swapping out my carb for fuel injection. I want it to be a runner you can park for a while and simply get in a drive. rinse and repeat for 5 years...

Spring shows up, fire it up and back it out. Take it down the track if you want also. No adjusting back brakes, no carbs gumming up... just get in and have a nice drive with great brakes... Hot day? no problem...



That sounds as if FL's were never daily drivers. Actually they were around the globe and popular Taxis in the middle east/Turkey.

I run a carb for over 30 years without any problems. It always starts, no hot weather problem etc and if it should fail, which is nearly impossible (unlike with a half assed throtle body FI system, that can't cope with the heat from the heat crossover, which is a MUST for reliable operation), I can rebuild it on the side of the road in 1h for the next 30 years of trouble free operation. The problem is not the carburetor, which is as trouble-proof as it gets, it is the people.
Last year I revived a 61 Plymouth that was parked in the early 80s, it started right up with the OE carb. I don't think that in 60 years you can find any car, with a 60 year old FI system, that still works.
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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-09-17 11:40 AM (#570246 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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yes and they broke down, had all kinds of issues. there is a reason why 57's were upgraded to 12 volt... just like in the 70's cars were upgraded to Disc brakes and they got rid of carbs...

You can try to convince yourself that 50 year old technology is just as good as 20 year old but it isn't. Sure it may not be that big of deal and people can simply deal with the hassles but I don't want to have to spend the same money or a little less on old technology that will fail more often and cause more issues.




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jboymechanic
Posted 2018-09-17 11:53 AM (#570247 - in reply to #570135)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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1960fury - 2018-09-15 6:28 AM

jboymechanic - 2018-09-14 9:13 PM


As for all of the "drums will lock up the tires" comments, you guys don't understand what good braking is. You want to slow down the wheel as much as possible WITHOUT locking them up as locking the tires up INCREASES stopping distance.


I think it's you who "does not understand". Nobody said that you will have to lock them up. Please quote that line. It was just to show that they CAN lock the tires anytime, if you do it, it is up to you. The driver, not the car, must be in control.
If a brake system can't lock the tires, it is inferior, as there are circumstances that will require locked wheels for shorter stopping distances. Period.


Sid, I should have been clearer. Yes, the brake system should be capable of locking the tires, but the driver should not want to skid the tires with the notion that skidding is good breaking. I got the impression from people's posts that they believed skidding was good braking, that is not the case and that is what I was trying to clarify. I've also always felt the old drum setups on these cars are more troublesome than discs and tend to lock up easier (or unintentionally) than discs as well.

Your comment does raise one question though, when would I want to lock the tires for shorter stopping distances?

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jboymechanic
Posted 2018-09-17 11:54 AM (#570248 - in reply to #570126)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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hemidenis - 2018-09-14 11:16 PM

I know how to brake, ridding motorcycles in all weather conditions for more than 25 years teach you that. The new yorker got me but surprise, I was not expecting such a suddenly grab after reading so many bad drums reviews in here..

Still nobody explained the fact of installing 3200 pounds brake system in a 4800 pounds car is going to work just fine. That is like loading your Plymouth Volare (the brakes of AJJ kit) with 1600 pounds of bricks, trow it in at the highway at 65 miles/h and pretend is going to brake just fine.

Nobody can deny that disk brakes are better, but it is not a kit in the market, that you can just install and drive in to sunset, dozen if not hundred of threads in here tell us different.

However, if you are commuting to work daily or putting 30,000 miles a year to the car or driving in the autobahn at 80m/h, drums may require more frequent maintenance than disc.

18-wheeler and heavy equipment are still using drums, also Juan manuel fangio drove a drum brake Maserati in 1957 around a 14 miles Nürburgring race track at 180 miles/h top speed, clocking 9:17.4 a time that even today 61 years later is considered unachievable with many modern cars.

Decades later after the race, when asked about drum brakes fatigue during the 3 1/2 hours race in 1957, Fangio said, "brakes worked just fine"







Commercial trucks are now beginning to transition to air disc brakes as well and for the same reason; improved braking (shorter stopping distance).
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1960fury
Posted 2018-09-17 3:11 PM (#570259 - in reply to #570247)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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jboymechanic - 2018-09-17 11:53 AM


Your comment does raise one question though, when would I want to lock the tires for shorter stopping distances?



Snow and Gravel.
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1960fury
Posted 2018-09-17 3:35 PM (#570262 - in reply to #570246)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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mikes2nd - 2018-09-17 11:40 AM

yes and they broke down, had all kinds of issues. there is a reason why 57's were upgraded to 12 volt... just like in the 70's cars were upgraded to Disc brakes and they got rid of carbs...

You can try to convince yourself that 50 year old technology is just as good as 20 year old but it isn't. Sure it may not be that big of deal and people can simply deal with the hassles but I don't want to have to spend the same money or a little less on old technology that will fail more often and cause more issues.




FI cars don't break down? As a matter of fact the only time I was stranded with fuel issues, it was in a 1-2 a year old car, FI problems. Yesterday I saw a brand new car get towed away from a parking lot.

Again, I drove my 60 daily for many years and still do in summers, 30 years without any fuel issues. I drove 6500 miles just this year, I can live with a carb as it is more reliable than any FI will ever be. A carburetor always gets you home, as it simply can't fail. I carry along 2 needle/seat assemblys, a power valve and accelertor pump with gaskets always in the trunk. Fits in a wallet. Thats it.
The downside is carbureted cars are not quite as efficient, but you pay for that efficiency. In the end it is just about money. I can rebuild my carb for $30 in an hour and I got the carb for $25.

Anyway, you can convince yourself that technologie that was good enough for millions of people, daily, around the world for ages, in days before cellphones, isn't good enough to drive a car occasionally in fair weather to a car show, but you know it is plain BS.
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jboymechanic
Posted 2018-09-17 3:48 PM (#570263 - in reply to #570259)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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1960fury - 2018-09-17 2:11 PM

jboymechanic - 2018-09-17 11:53 AM


Your comment does raise one question though, when would I want to lock the tires for shorter stopping distances?



Snow and Gravel.


Interesting. Why is that? Do locked tires "cut" through the loose gravel or snow and get the tire down to a firm surface? Does the loose gravel or snow provide another plane to slip between the road and tire?
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1960fury
Posted 2018-09-17 4:29 PM (#570264 - in reply to #570263)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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jboymechanic - 2018-09-17 3:48 PM

1960fury - 2018-09-17 2:11 PM

jboymechanic - 2018-09-17 11:53 AM


Your comment does raise one question though, when would I want to lock the tires for shorter stopping distances?



Snow and Gravel.


Interesting. Why is that? Do locked tires "cut" through the loose gravel or snow and get the tire down to a firm surface? Does the loose gravel or snow provide another plane to slip between the road and tire?


Skidding wheels build up a wedge in front of the tire in snow, mud or gravel, that stops the car faster.

Edited by 1960fury 2018-09-17 5:06 PM
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hemidenis
Posted 2018-09-17 7:07 PM (#570280 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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You guys are discussing about a known phenomenon of physics called Kinetic friction and Static friction. I studied these in detail during my Engineer years, we also did moths of labs. This study was part of Physic 1 or "Classic physics", the first of five physic we studied over the curse of 6 years..

Static friction (no skidding braking from)
Static friction is friction between two or more solid objects that are not moving relative to each other. For example, static friction can prevent an object from sliding down a sloped surface.

Kinetic friction (skidding braking)
Also known as dynamic friction or sliding friction, occurs when two objects are moving relative to each other and rub together (like a sled on the ground). The coefficient of kinetic friction is typically denoted as µk, and is usually less than the coefficient of static friction for the same materials.

meaning that the the friction created in the movement is LESS than the one generated before the skidding starts...

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1960fury
Posted 2018-09-18 4:02 PM (#570318 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Denis, a tire starts to skid long before the wheel is locked up.
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sonaramic300
Posted 2018-10-26 10:05 PM (#572441 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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Locked wheels stop well? What are you people thinking. Since the mid1980's we have had antilock brakes, they never lock or SKID and the car stops much quicker.
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1960fury
Posted 2018-10-27 10:24 AM (#572460 - in reply to #572441)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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sonaramic300 - 2018-10-26 10:05 PM

Locked wheels stop well? What are you people thinking. Since the mid1980's we have had antilock brakes, they never lock or SKID and the car stops much quicker.


Have actually READ this thread? Obviously not.
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58coupe
Posted 2018-10-27 10:47 AM (#572462 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Sid is actually correct. when stopping in snow (not ice) a locked wheel will stop in a shorter distance. The only advantage anti skid has on snow is giving you some steering control while braking.
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CrAzYMoPaRGuY
Posted 2018-10-27 12:22 PM (#572473 - in reply to #572462)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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58coupe - 2018-10-27 10:47 AM

Sid is actually correct. when stopping in snow (not ice) a locked wheel will stop in a shorter distance. The only advantage anti skid has on snow is giving you some steering control while braking.


Actually ABS brakes are terrible on logging roads that have "washboards" going downhill too. Terrible.
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58Jackie
Posted 2020-02-16 6:47 PM (#594383 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: RE: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Updating my old thread i started here, I'm still not ready for this swap over to discs yet, I'm just researching so i know for later. I've been looking at this front disc bracket from Scarebird, does it look correct to you guys? I know it says for 57/61 Plymouth/Dodge front disc, just making sure.

https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=64&produc...

I'd like to use the top of the line stuff here, for the calipers and rotors, I'd like to go with Wilwood. Anyone here done this, best ones to use by them?

I will be going to use 15" wheels, if it makes any difference.

Also, for the rears, would it just be best if i swap out the entire rear end? Is there a good performance brand one (online store bought) to use, or am i going to have to go junkyard searching?

Thanks.



Edited by 58Jackie 2020-02-16 6:54 PM
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58Jackie
Posted 2020-02-16 7:55 PM (#594386 - in reply to #594383)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Another update to my last post; I've just been researching about the rear brakes and the axle. So apparently, these 8 3/4 rears are good if rebuilt with a new center section. I'll most likely now be doing this, as i really dont want to find a new rear if i dont have to, as thats a pretty big part to be replacing.
I still want disc brakes on the rear, anyone know if there is a complete kit for the brakes, that also includes the parking brake conversion to the rear brakes, and what all parts to i need to buy? Could someone please provide the link to this, or if there is a thread on here from this already done that would be cool too. Thanks.
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mikes2nd
Posted 2020-02-16 9:07 PM (#594387 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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that is what i want in the end and I will be doing a full axle swap and I was looking at Ford axles, I did the math and a ford 8.8 is offset and would need to be one side cut to make it centered and it would match the right width at that point. I will also be getting a posi rear axle also. I can get a full rear axle from the junkyard for like 200$ includes brakes also. you can use the "opposite" side axle (included since i swap the long with the center one. Then 100-200$ to have it cut and welded. I get the best of all worlds... i can put some good mustang rear brakes on the rear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mayYpK_aPgM

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58Jackie
Posted 2020-02-16 9:30 PM (#594388 - in reply to #594387)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Can i use my existing rear axle, reuseing just the housing of it, and put in a new center section, and new flange axles to replace those horrible tapered ones?
I'm not exactly a fan of the idea of replacing the entire rear axle, as unbolting it from the springs and doing fab work there afterwards sounds scary to me.
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mikes2nd
Posted 2020-02-17 7:44 AM (#594403 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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I have not busted into an original to see if you could replace the end of the axle with another option. alot of guys upgrade to the 65-70 stuff? to get rid of tapered, and then do the disc brake upgrade since its easier to find those conversions. I want the posi, disc brakes, parking brake, non tapered axle... all of it so i will probably have the long road with the axle cut. But the width works great for the "balanced" ford.

https://thefabricatorseries.com/build-blogs/how-to-narrow-a-ford-explorer-88-rear-axle-part-1-prelude-and-qa

 

Ring Gear Diameter - 8.8 inches
Axle Tube Outside Diameter - 3.25 inches
Axle Tube Wall Thickness - 0.25 inches OR 0.188 inches
Axle Diameter - 1.320 inches
Axle Spline Count - 31 splines
Assembly Width - 59.625 inches 
Assembly weight - 
175 pounds

 



Edited by mikes2nd 2020-02-17 7:54 AM
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NC Adventurer
Posted 2020-02-17 5:34 PM (#594426 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: RE: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?


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58Jackie - 2018-09-13 1:20 AM

Hey guys, I'd like your input here on what I should do. I'm torn on whether to go to disc brakes or restore the drum brakes.

Drum brakes- is there a later style aftermarket drum brake kit I can get?
I don't understand really the setup of the current brakes... I already tried to remove the drum, am I supposed to remove that nut/pin first from the hub?

Disc brakes- is there any conversion kit out there? Any good ones to trust, maybe like Wilwood?


Hey 58Jackie,

I'd have to ask what your intention is for the car before anyone can provide an answer about what's "right" for it. If you plan on using the car as a daily driver, have no concern about mileage and modifying the car doesn't bother you, I'd say go ahead. Its your car. If you intend on preserving the car in its original state (as much as that's reasonably possible), I'd say your drums are sufficient to do the job of stopping your car in plenty of time/space. People have driven cars with drums safely and successfully for decades without killing themselves.

I'm in the process of putting my recently passed uncle's 1960 Desoto Adventurer back on the road. She's a true beauty. My plan is to keep it as stock as when my uncle owned and drove it. It has drums on all four corners. Amazingly, he drove that car everywhere for a few years and never died because it didn't have disc brakes. My intention for keeping it stock is to keep it as "Joe and Grace's Desoto Adventurer", to honor his and the love he had for a great car. My aunt bestowed the car on me recently because I always appreciated/admired it through the years and she appreciated my take that I felt it should be preserved in his honor. It was the car in which my uncle and aunt dated when they were young. To me, its important to keep some of the past alive.

Most people today are lazy and don't want to put the effort into learning how to drive a car within its limits. They'll jump on conversions to newer equipment just to avoid having to get used to an older system. Recently I witnessed a young guy not be able to start an older vehicle with a manual choke when it was cold. He complained as if he'd been asked to give up his left leg. After showing him how to start the car properly, he still complained. Was there anything wrong with the vehicle and its manual choke? Not in the least. The problem was sitting behind the wheel, not under the hood.

Like I said earlier, its your car. Make it what you want. Build it to please your style and use of it.

Wishing you nothing but the best on your project. Please share your results.

Edited by NC Adventurer 2020-02-17 5:42 PM
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58Jackie
Posted 2020-02-17 7:53 PM (#594435 - in reply to #594426)
Subject: RE: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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NC Adventurer - 2020-02-17 4:34 PM

58Jackie - 2018-09-13 1:20 AM

Hey guys, I'd like your input here on what I should do. I'm torn on whether to go to disc brakes or restore the drum brakes.

Drum brakes- is there a later style aftermarket drum brake kit I can get?
I don't understand really the setup of the current brakes... I already tried to remove the drum, am I supposed to remove that nut/pin first from the hub?

Disc brakes- is there any conversion kit out there? Any good ones to trust, maybe like Wilwood?


Hey 58Jackie,

I'd have to ask what your intention is for the car before anyone can provide an answer about what's "right" for it. If you plan on using the car as a daily driver, have no concern about mileage and modifying the car doesn't bother you, I'd say go ahead. Its your car. If you intend on preserving the car in its original state (as much as that's reasonably possible), I'd say your drums are sufficient to do the job of stopping your car in plenty of time/space. People have driven cars with drums safely and successfully for decades without killing themselves.

I'm in the process of putting my recently passed uncle's 1960 Desoto Adventurer back on the road. She's a true beauty. My plan is to keep it as stock as when my uncle owned and drove it. It has drums on all four corners. Amazingly, he drove that car everywhere for a few years and never died because it didn't have disc brakes. My intention for keeping it stock is to keep it as "Joe and Grace's Desoto Adventurer", to honor his and the love he had for a great car. My aunt bestowed the car on me recently because I always appreciated/admired it through the years and she appreciated my take that I felt it should be preserved in his honor. It was the car in which my uncle and aunt dated when they were young. To me, its important to keep some of the past alive.

Most people today are lazy and don't want to put the effort into learning how to drive a car within its limits. They'll jump on conversions to newer equipment just to avoid having to get used to an older system. Recently I witnessed a young guy not be able to start an older vehicle with a manual choke when it was cold. He complained as if he'd been asked to give up his left leg. After showing him how to start the car properly, he still complained. Was there anything wrong with the vehicle and its manual choke? Not in the least. The problem was sitting behind the wheel, not under the hood.

Like I said earlier, its your car. Make it what you want. Build it to please your style and use of it.

Wishing you nothing but the best on your project. Please share your results.


I'm not keeping my car stock, on the resto i am making her look like she was a late 50s cruiser modified in the 60s...Chrome wheels, metallic candy paint, tuck/roll interior, bigger motor or modified stock one. I just love how these cars looked. Even though its a 58 Belvedere 2 dr ht, i am not making her into another Christine. Its time for a change... I am currently building a modified (extra hp, around 500) 440 for it. i plan to drive her often once she gets driveable with her 318 Poly she has in now.

The guys here pretty much convinced me all the way to go for disc brakes, most importantly the safety concerns about stopping for the car.
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58Jackie
Posted 2020-02-17 8:16 PM (#594438 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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Still researching on if its possible to use the original 8 3/4 tapered axle housing and put new flange style and center section. Found this putting some light to the end of the tunnel......
https://www.racingjunk.com/news/2016/09/30/swappin-out-axles-in-olde...
http://www.mopar1.us/axlepul.html
http://www.moparchat.com/forums/performance-talk/52705-body-rearend...
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/ford-9-inch-or-mopar-8-3...
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/dana-44-or-mopar-8-3-4.3...

Here is a source for the axles. These are made to order, custom length, etc. 30 spline is what you need.
https://www.moserengineering.com/A30CST--Custom-Length-Alloy-30-Spli...

More feedback on this would be greatly appreciated from you guys. Now why i want to use my original housing is cause most importantly, I'm 23, never replaced an entire rear end before, and the sound of it worries me, such as, bolting up of the leaf springs, shock towers, etc..
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1960fury
Posted 2020-02-20 6:29 AM (#594551 - in reply to #594388)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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58Jackie - 2020-02-16 9:30 PM

Can i use my existing rear axle, reuseing just the housing of it, and put in a new center section, and new flange axles to replace those horrible tapered ones?
I'm not exactly a fan of the idea of replacing the entire rear axle, as unbolting it from the springs and doing fab work there afterwards sounds scary to me.


I don't understand the hate for the OE axle. With disks, chances are you will never have to pull the hubs again in your live. Wheel bearings/seals last 150-200+K miles. Do the math, is it worth the trouble?
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Powerflite
Posted 2020-02-20 2:39 PM (#594575 - in reply to #570036)
Subject: Re: Opinion- Disc or restore drum brakes?



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I agree Sid. To answer your question, Jackie, you can use newer axles in the old housing **only** if you weld new ends on the original housing at the proper length for the new axles. New ends cost about $100. The labor to weld them on is about $400. This is equivalent to creating a custom length axle. It is expensive. If you want a newer rear end under your car, just get a whole rear end from a '65-'69 C-body car and swap it in. Pretty easy. Swapping another rear into your car is a whole lot easier than trying to convert your old one to new. But as Sid says, you could just leave it the way it is, and use the original drum brakes or convert the original axle to disc brakes. Done.
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