Re: IML: re. Disc V Drum Brakes

["Rob van der Es" <r.vdes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

@ Paul and others:

Is it wise then to convert 57 to 62 drumbrakes to the 1966 version?
And if so, are the 66 parts still available?
I own a 1960 Imperial and I am planning a major brake overhaul with all
new wheelcylinders and a new master cylinder, would it be an option then
to convert rightaway to the 1966 system?

Robert van der Es



Op Do, 23 februari, 2006 2:09 am, schreef randalpark@xxxxxxx:
> I wasn't going to say anything on this, but I can't help it.
>
>
> The '61 has different brakes than the '66. While they were good, the '66
> was better. The brakes on the '61 required frequent manual adjustment.
> Depending on the type of driving, this could mean as often as every 800
> miles. Back in those days, oil changes were about every 1,000 miles, so a
> quick brake adjustment wasn't a big deal. In all the cases of griping
> that I have heard about the brakes on '57 through '62, none of the owners
> were adjusting them as often as recommended, let alone more often than
> that (which isn't a bad idea).
>
> A '66 Imperial has about the best drum brakes ever made. They stop the
> car just fine. They are also self adjusting. If the '66 Imperial's brakes
> are in top shape, and the driver is having multiple instances of near
> misses on the road, the problem isn't the stopping distance of the car,
> but more related to what is sitting behind the steering wheel.
>
> The is NO techniogical advance that can take the place of sensible
> driving. While we should do absolutely everything that we can to make
> sure that our cars will stop correctly, a big money brake conversion on a
> car that already has great brakes is not going to solve the problem.
>
> Paul W.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lib596@xxxxxxx
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:06:19 EST
> Subject: IML: re. Disc V Drum Brakes
>
>
>
> Whilst I have no reason to doubt the theory behind Dicks description of
> the physics I still have to say that from a purely practical point of
> view, the disc brake / dual M/C conversion  on my '61 has made a distinct
> improvement in the braking characteristics of the car. It is not only the
> shorter stopping distance but the feel and sensitivity of the pedal which
> has improved.
>
> Now I will freely admit that by the time I did the conversion, I had
> developed serious hot spots on the front drums which did nothing to
> improve their stopping power. In addition, the improved sensitivity may
> be partly due to the new M/C but even when the drums were perfect and all
> four wheels were quite capable of locking up, there is no doubt in my
> mind that the discs have been a major improvement. There seems to be more
> to braking than simple friction. It is about how the car handles under
> sharp deceleration. Perhaps some of this improvement arises from the
> necessary addition of a proportioning valve that governs the pressure
> ratio between the front and rear brakes.
>
> Apart from the improved braking characteristics, the other advantage is
> simpler maintenence. No more painstaking adjustments and fiddly bleeding.
> On the downside, the dust from the pads turns your white wall tyres into
> gray walls in no time at all. Easy enough to clean but annoying all the
> same.
>
> Just some observations from someone who has direct experience of both
> drums and discs.
>
> Best wishes,
>
>
> Tony V.
>
>




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