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I forgot about the tone rings in the front rotors. They looked awfully similar to the tone wheels that my 90 Town Car had. Basically, they are press-fit into standard rotors. If you are extremely careful, you may be able to remove the rings from the old rotors and press them into new ones, or have a machine shop duplicate them. They looked like brass or bronze. I think that the pickups were Hall effect, just like they are today. You might be able to match up something that's currently available. The three modulators and the analog differential amp in the trunk that controls the system will be tough to repair or rebuild.
Best regards, Frank
Best regards, Frank On Feb 29, 2008, at 3:29 PM, Jim Stacey wrote: Frank makes a good point about replacement parts being the big issue in the future even if you get the junkyard system working to start with. I am thinking particularly of the front rotors, as I believe (never seen them myself) they are machined in a unique way to provide a signal to the sensors via a “tone wheel” incorporated into the rotor. According to the FSM it looks like the standard drums are used on the rear with the addition of a “drive ring” for the rear sensors so you might be OK there. It is hard enough to find regular rotors for a ’71 – ’73 let alone Sure Brake rotors. If the rotors on the junkyard donor car are not within the thickness limits for safe braking then the whole project could be scuttled. Even if they are thick enough now – these are obviously wear items and if the vehicle is driven much at all, they will eventually become unsafe. Jim Stacey ’73 perpetual resto Ontario Canada I had Sure Brake on my 72 Imperial. The system worked, but it's performance was unimpressive. It could pulse the brakes about once per second. Grandma can do better than that! Good curiosity however. The problem is going to be parts. The sensors are similar in principle to sensors used now on ABS systems, but not sure how interchangeable that stuff will be. I had a heck of a time keeping my system in working condition. The control unit was an analog type comparator -- a one-of-a-kind system The three brake modulators are big and it will take some effort to install them. One or two of them were buried, if I remember correctly. Master cylinder, proportioning valve and most of the brake lines will need to be done. The system was from Bendix. On Feb 27, 2008, at 9:43 PM, Jim Corbett wrote:
Has anyone ever attempted adding the Sure Brake option to a '71-'73 Imperial? I know they were a very low production option (around 250 in '71). Anyone know the numbers produced in '72 and '73? I believe I've found a '71 in a junkyard that has the option and I'm thinking of pulling all components, harnesses, sensors, etc. and adding it to my '71. I've read the Sure Brake section in the '73 Chassis service manual and it looks doable. I think it would be really cool to pull this off. Any advice/comments would be appreciated.
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