Re: IML: 1959 Drum Brakes worth keeping

[RandalPark@xxxxxxx]

The only time that I have had problems with my brakes is when they have not been maintained properly, or the car has been sitting too long. They are easy to adjust yourself.

Even when everything is to the best of my knowledge 100%, I adjust my driving to make up for the differences between the various vehicles that I drive. On a weekly basis, I drive a 1948 Lincoln Continental, 1962 and 1963 Imperials, 1984 Buick Electra, and 1980 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe. Each of the cars is still configured in the original way. The front suspensions, brakes, tires, and other maintenence items are all up to date. Yet every one of these cars is a completely different driving experience. I am happy for that. That is one of the reasons that I have them. Yet, if I did not adjust my driving to suit the car, none of them would be considered safe.

I use to drive slower, and increase my following distance in the older cars. Now I even do that in the newer ones, too. I think that much of the modern safety equipment gives us a false sense of security. Although possibly better, modern technology can't replace common sense and careful driving. That said, I wouldn't put my mother behind the wheel of any of those cars since she has become use to driving a 2004 Honda Accord. Besides, she isn't the one who is making a hobby out of collecting, restoring, and driving them.

Paul

In an email dated Sat, 22 1 2005 1:12:40 am GMT, Kenyon Wills <imperialist1960@xxxxxxxxx> writes:

>This idea of putting discs on your car isn't a new
>one.
>
>The stock items were considered more than adequate
>when new, and if they were really a problem, you'd
>likely see all sorts of aftermarket options out there,
>and concensus on the list that this change is a
>"Must-do" on your car. ?Redone stock brakes, if done
>correctly, are not much of an issue if the discussions
>on the Impeiral mailing list are any indicator.
>
>Many people with old, sloppy, out-of-adjustment drums
>think that they can improve things by short-cutting
>straight to "modern" technology.
>
>I feel strongly that you should give your car a chance
>to strut its stuff by redoing what you have top to
>bottom, eliminating the old, worn parts completely.
>
>I did put a dual circuit MC on my 1960 to try to add
>some safety in the event of a failure, though.
>
>Also, adjustments are not always obvious to service
>people used to modern systems. ?Reading and printing
>out a copy of the following for your mechanic might
>make a big difference. ?Your mechanic may not want to
>read it, though. ?You're probably better off learning
>how to do it yourself - that way you have a renewable
>resource that's free except for the energy required to
>jack the car up. ?The adjustments can be done with a
>wrench.
>
>
>http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/138/index.htm
> 
>
>
>=====
>Kenyon Wills
> 
> 
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>----------------- ?http://www.imperialclub.com ?-----------------
>This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please 
>reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be 
>shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
>Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm
>
>


-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please 
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be 
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm