The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1960 C60 E Brake

Hi guys. I was over in Fresno to my property there. My 1960 Chevy C60 started right up after 4 months. It was a rescue last year and it started right up after 25 years. 261 six. Back then it smoked pretty good, but it's burning clean now.
I put on all new tires. 8.25x 20". So I am going to put it to work hauling 4-5 tons of base from the quarry up to my place.
It is a steep road down. I put new cylinders all around and had the vac booster and master redone. ($300).
I want to reline the e brake clamp. I drive a dump for a living, but have air brakes on that Pete. Seems kind of cheesy to have your only E brake being a clamp to stop the driveshaft from spinning!
You guys know any other way to stop this old girl if she gets away from me? Besides the "away from the cliff side" bank. Appreciate any ideas. Thanks, Robert

The transmission mounted parking brake does a great job on my truck, considering the gear ratio in the axle it probably has as much braking leverage as the rear drums. If your 1960 is like my '57 it has an inner and outer park brake lining, with it adjusted properly it locks up the driveshaft real easy. I haven't had to test it as an "emergency" with a big load 'cuz I've only had 2-3 tons on it. As long as the entire service brake system is new/rebuilt you should be good to go. Did you replace ALL of the brake lines and hoses? If you have a 2 speed rear axle make sure that is working perfectly or you'll quickly end up with a run-a-way. I would think that you can find a big truck shop to put new linings on the park brake shoes if it needs it.

agree with replacing ALL the lines, steel and rubber, and making sure the 2 speed shifting is working properly, My 55 was not and got stuck not in hi or low and my park brake stopped the driveshaft fine, but the rear was in-between gears and I messed up a perfect front end!

Per the Owners Manual you ALWAYS park in Low Range. This prevent gravity from pulling the vacuum actuator out of Hi Range while it's parked allowing the rear to fall between gears and letting it roll away...

Mike B

Mike B Have never had my 51 6400 go in to neutral like that. In real cold weather will kind of balk on the shift to hi range. Don't know if robVee can ease down that slope in granny low range, I guess try it on a lesser slope and learn what it likes and will do.

Mike B, mine was not parked, I was moving it in the yard and the engine died, (loss of vacuum, in that case!) and BOOM.

I appreciate the replies. 5 yard dump. The 2 speed is good. Strange year. A arm / ball joint front suspension. Not all steel lines replaced yet, but I will. Should do the front flex lines too. In a low low situation, It can crawl pretty good. Empty down. Loaded up the hill. For some reason, I just really enjoy driving the old girl. Although I do like air.

robVee They used those trucks in mountains for years,you could light load it at firstto see how it acts. You have to consider what happens if you "kill it" loaded on your way up,then your rolling backwards with no vacuum on your booster and just that little lever brake on the driveline.

All 2wd from C10 up used torsion bar independent front suspension from 1960 - 1962.
GM started using torsion bars again in 1988.

For what its worth, I had the rear passenger side line on my '64 C60 fail with roughly 4ton on the bed (4.5ton curb weight truck) coming into a downhill T intersection with trees on the backside and moving 48mph. I bailed left over a small ditch into an empty field while holding that E-brake for dear life. It brought all 17000lbs to a hard stop in just a little over 120 foot. It threw the drum out of round, roasted the pads, sent me into the roof, bounced me off the dash, and dropped me on the passenger side of the cab, but it did its job.

That little brake may not seem like much, but its pretty mighty.