55,
I have the stock M.C. with the check valve removed, so I pasted my earlier response below as real world experience.
I can't stress enough, the drum brakes are pretty good if adjusted very correctly. It all goes down hill after that.
Adam
Quote from me earlier in the thread:
To be honest the Lockheed drums worked well but I didn't have the adjustment tool so they were always adjusted close but never close enough. For the price of the tool, I could do disc brakes twice.
I drive my car in commute traffic at 70+ mph sometimes so that where the disc brakes shine. They do slow the car better than the drums especially the 3rd or 4th time in a 1 mile stretch, so let's say a 25% improvement.
I will NEVER have to adjust brakes again (at least on the front) 100% + improvement.
The drums are only really good after they are adjusted, goes down hill from there, discs are always adjusted correctly. 100% improvement.
They have been on for a few years now and I have not had to do anything to them in that time. Which reminds me, I'm going to check the brake fluid next time I drive it