My first experience with a total brake failure was at age 16 (LONG ago!) in a 47 Ford coupe, on a busy Nashville street. As I approached an intersection with a red light, the brake pedal hit the floor. I downshifted to second gear (no way to get it into 1st.) turned off the ignition, and coasted for almost two blocks before the thing stopped. Copmpression braking- - - - -what compression? It had a 1941 flathead V-8 truck engine in it with about 6.5:1! I blew through one more red light before I could get the old beast stopped!
The next time was in my 59 Burb with a SM-420 and a Dana type 60 rear end. This time, the brakes were good, but an unsecured steel brake line had rubbed against the center housing long enough to wear a hole in it. I was towing a 16 foor trailer with electric brakes, and I was on I-65 at about 70 MPH. The electric trailer brakes, and an unobstructed breakdown lane saved my bacon that time!
Anything else I drive will definitely have a working E-brake, and a dual line brake system! I've used up all my luck!
Jake, could you stand a visit from a fellow stovebolter? I'm not that far from Chattanooga!
Jerry
