Re: IML: 1959 Upgrades and Mods

In an email dated Fri, 21 1 2005 6:55:24 am GMT, "Eric" <gearhead@xxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

>Drum brakes can be just as good in stopping power with the exception of
>brake fade after several rapid stops from high speeds. In all other
>measures, the original brakes worked pretty much just as well as modern disc
>brakes. Tires are another important safety factor in the braking quotient.
>There are disc brake conversions but they entail either expensive new parts
>or finding relatively rare older parts. Also, there needs to be a suitable
>proportioning valve retrofitted in the brake line. A brief discussion of
>this is on the website
>http://www.imperialclub.org/Repair/Brakes/convert.htm and here
>http://www.imperialclub.org/Repair/Brakes/dan.htm
>A list of brake parts vendors on the website is here
>http://www.imperialclub.org/Part/Brakes/Resources.htm
>
>A more effective safety upgrade when it comes to the standard drum brakes is
>to first make sure all the old rubber parts, hoses, wheel cylinders, and
>master cylinder, are renewed with new rubber. Then, check out the excellent
>write up, http://www.imperialclub.org/Yr/1960/Kenyon/Page09.htm , on the
>Imperial website about the dual circuit master cylinder conversion. This
>way, if there is a failure in one circuit, some braking power remains.
>
>Electronic ignition is a worthwhile upgrade if only to rid the periodic
>points changing. It gives a lot more juice to the plugs as well.
>
>Seat belts are pretty straightforward, with shoulder belts being a bit more
>of a challenge in a hardtop car.
>
>Edlebrock makes an off the shelf fuel injection system. There are articles
>around showing a junk yard GM FI conversion to a Mopar motor. For the cost
>of even the junk yard conversion, it would take many many miles to recoop
>the pocket change in MPG improvement. A 5000 lb car is only going to get so
>much MPG. Plus, there is something reassuring in the simplicity of manually
>squirting gas thru a carb. Doing a good carb rebuild is cheap and effective.
>Still, compared to places like Europe, gas here is still cheap.
>
>Getting the vehicle running and driving to its best and keeping it as
>original as possible will help to keep its value high and maintenance costs
>reasonable. All rubber parts that are 45 years old should be suspect for
>replacing, esp brake hoses, vacuum hoses in the engine compartment,
>suspension rubber bushings, and fuel hoses. Then the suspension hard pieces,
>ball joints and tie rod pieces, should be attended to if needed. I think the
>'59 model driveshaft used the center carrier bearing that sometimes gives
>trouble when the bearing seizes and rips apart the rubber insulator. That
>insulator is kind of pricey so its good to have that otherwise cheap bearing
>replaced as a precaution.
>
>Glad you got that '59.
>
>Eric
>'63 Crown Four-Door
>'63 Belvedere Four-Door sedan
>'72 Newport Custom sedan
>
>Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 17:03:27 -0800 (PST)
>From: henry ford <fordsfairlane@xxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: IML: brake conversion's and upgrades on 59's
>Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>--0-2069700930-1106269407=:21843
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
>I just wana ask is there a brake upgrade or conversion avalible for 59's >
>I wana drive my car, not just let it sit around the shop. but im not real
>fond of drum brakes. would like disk on the front . I do like to keep the
>car most orignal but as far as a safety . I plan on a few mods to the car.
>like all wiring and electrical. seat belts , and brakes. to name a few.
>after all ,my kids will be rideing with me. I know a 59 imperial is far more
>safer than a hond@ but wont stop as good . ALSO im thinking about installing
>univers fuel injection on the 413 .and electronic ignition . not decided
>just yet. but im thinking that fuel injection would improve fuel
>milage...............any thoughts would be aprecieated. thanks.
>
>
>
>
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