I can get by with manual brakes...I've often thought one of the biggest things against drum brakes on early cars is that they wouldn't self-adjust so the owner needs to go under the vehicle and monkey with them. I'm going to convert them to self-adjust with a kit from Schafers Classic Restoration parts to take care of that. That will make a huge difference.
My biggest concern is running the single reservoir master cylinder. Blow a line, a seal or wheel cylinder and you've got no brakes.
In the case of my '54 Buick, I blew a rear wheel cylinder, which put me down to a single rear drum with the emergency brake (the other side was covered with fluid). A car won't stop with one drum. Neither will a heavy '62 Suburban.
I figure upgrading to self-adjust drums and a power booster will make the performance much, much better--but the big factor for me is the dual reservoir master cylinder. I drive the truck daily, and put 20,000 on it last year--and every one of those miles was with the knowledge that the brakes could fail each time I pushed the pedal.
I saw the CPP master cylinder kit, and will probably go with them, unless anyone knows another source that's cheaper.
How much was the Praise Brake Dyno stuff?
-Brad
-Brad
