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Title: Message
I also
just finished installing the AAJ kit on my 1958 Plymouth.
I
found it to be a great kit, and very easy to install.
I
grabbed a combination (proportioning) valve out of a 1981 Chrysler Imperial,
which mounted right to the same hole as the factory T block. The '68
Roadrunner M/C uses some funky fittings, but I got them off of "adapter lines"
from Pep Boys and just flared them onto new lines. I did have to turn down
the last 1/2" of the adjustable pushrod. I turned it down on a grinder to
better fit in the hole on the m/c pushrod rather than just cutting it
shorter.
A
combination valve is preferable to the adjustable proportioning valve, as proper
disc operation involves several factors. First, the valve allows the drums
to start braking slightly before the discs, then cuts down the pressure slightly
after the discs kick in. The valve also maintains a slight residual
pressure which stops the caliper pistons from retracting all the way back into
the calipers (this becomes more important after the pads begin to wear... you
would have to pump twice to move the pistons enough for the shoes to contact the
disc).
The
car stops on a dime now; truly amazing braking considering the original
setup. I'm still fighting with the rear wheel cylinders, which started
leaking after I installed the new shoes (it pushed the pistons back into an area
where there was some corrosion.) I honed them out on the car, and installed
cylinder rebuild kits, but plan to replace the cylinders after Carlisle if they
show any signs of leakage.
I'm
putting in a mechanical stop light switch later this afternoon, and that should
complete this year's projects... Discs, new rear shoes, new front suspension,
and new shocks. It feels like a different car now.
Kudos
to AAJ!!!
-Dave
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