Brakes Survey??

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, as I do not know how to set up a poll on here, I feel like asking all of our members willing to share what brake systems they currently have in use in there Old Mopars.

What have you got for brakes, upgraded Front Disc, or stock OEM drum brakes?

How many of you have switch to dual MCs?

If you are running with stock drum brakes how do you find there performance?

If you are running front disc brake conversions, how do you find their performance?

I currently have stock OEM drum brakes, they are not bad, they still need a bit more adjusting, my pedal is nice and high, but they have never been adjusted with an Aamco style brake tool, only by feel by yours truly, and I am no expert with Lockheed brakes.

I am also running Dot 5 silicone brake fluid with no complaints so far.

So feel free to express your thought s and opinions on either brake systems, and why you feel that way, wheter it's experience or just preference........................Fred

[Normspeed]

Hi Fred, I have original type brakes on the 53. They can be difficult to work on but overall they stop the car just fine, even when I'm towing the little trailer. I'd like to have a later model rear end with modern drum brakes, and disks up front, but that is way low on my list of things to do. I'd like to convert to a dual master cylinder, for the safety margin, although in my experience I've never had a complete sudden brake failure with the stock setup, on several old mopars.

[kevinanderson]

Hi. The brakes on my '48 are rebuilt originals. I have no problems with stopping. They do the job they were intended to do.

[hkestes41]

Currently I have the rebuilt stock brakes on my daily driver P15 Coupe. They stop the car alright for most circumstances. However, being a daily driver in Dallas traffic I feel I need a little better performance. So, I am switching to discs with an Olddaddy kit this summer.

Around here it is next to impossible to leave stopping distance between you and the car in front of you. Because the Bozo in the next lane will fill the gap just as soon as it is big enough for him to squeeze his SUV into.

[laynrubber]

I currently only have front drums , drove the car for a summer thinking that drum brakes from the 50s SUCK, until i discovered NO rear brake pads at all.

I plan to convert to dual system / discs on front this fall.

I have had single style brake failure

[Captain Neon]

I had everything but the master cylinder replaced 17 years ago, and rebuilt the master cylinder two years ago. I am happy with my brakes, but have been known to gun it at a yellow light when I didn't think I had enough time to stop. I've done a few quick stops at 45 mph and I've had to control steer fishtails on dry pavement in those instances. I really don't know how much of a difference it really makes, but would probably upgrade to front discs if I ever need to do a majour brake job again. A faster rear end would be nicer and the modern rear brakes that come with it would be a benefit I think.

[Andydodge]

Dunno if my cars count tho' they are running the same suspensions as the P15/D24 cars.......anyway the 1940 Dodge has mid 70's PBR(Oz Brand) Vented Discs & calipers on the 1942-56 style stub axles on the front with a complete 1990 Falcon Solid disc brake rear end & dual circuit master cylinder & Booster from the same car that the front discs are from, the rear brake residual valve has been removed, stops well, like a 1990's car........The 1941 Plymouth has the original brake system at present, all rebuilt, stopping is, well, an aquired taste, but its as good as an old drum brake system can be expected to be, it will be upgraded to the same setup in the Dodge eventually tho not till the engine/gearbox upgrade occurs.

[Guest rockabillybassman]

My P26 has all stock brakes which I rebuilt myself. I adjusted them up without the proper tools, and they work great. I feel no need for discs, although I have yet to do any serious hill work, so I cant comment on brake fade.

[rockerbillykat]

Hi Andy! What mid 70s PBR vented discs and calipers are you running?Are they HQ Holden discs with Holden commodore calipers? Or are you using all Ford? What mounting plates do you use? Iwant to fit front discs to my 48 but am unsure which way to go! Im running stock drums with a VH44 brake booster,which ive been told i will need for the disc set up! Ive been looking at front disc kits from "Scare Bird" on ebay.They bolt on to existing front end( no mods) but i cant find out if they are compatable to fit aussie parts!

Any help would be great as i keep getting different advice and am starting to think this is going to be a major (expensive) modification!

Thanks Brad!

[Andydodge]

Brad, I have P76 discs and calipers on 1962 Oz Chrysler Royal(same as US 1941/2 to 1956) stub axle on the 1940 uprights using the royal kingpins....I have pendant pedals with the P76 dual circuit master cylinder & booster mounted on the firewall, the rear brakes up till 18 mths ago was the 1962 Chrysler Royal diff with 1970 VG Valiant front vented rotors mounted on the Chrylser Royal brake hubs with 1976 XC Falcon rear disc calipers.....looked like a poor mans disc braked 9"......lol.......but I had spun an outer axle bearing a few yrs ago and it machined the inside of the housing and when it did it again 18mths ago I decided to upgrade so I now have a 1990 EA Falcon Wagon diff, it bolted straight on, the axle pads sat on the 40 Dodge rear springs but as the Falcon pads are wider I just drilled 2 holes for the inner U bolt thru the pad and bolted it into the lower 40 Dodge U bolt pads, the outer U bolt fitted straight on.....andyd

[Andydodge]

Brad, if you want to call me, I'm at the shop Scale Automobilia till 5pm AEST, at home from 5.30, shop is 02 66435 260, home is 02 66 425 963, up to 10pm AEST....andyd

[wallytoo]

i've retained the stock setup on my '48 1.5 ton. i replaced 1 front and 1 rear wheel cylinder, and rebuilt the other two. the drums are huge - 14.5" in front, 15" in the rear. master cylinder will be rebuilt soon. this also has a booster cylinder, operated by vacuum.

stops the truck very nicely. i have no plans to significantly alter the original configuration.

[rockerbillykat]

Thanks Andy i'll take you up on that offer.I've heard of so many variations for this brake set up!I have been told that Ford AU discs and hubs will fit with matching bearings on 48 stubs but unsure what calipers are suitable!Also depending on what size rims,as for clearence etc!

[Jim Yergin]

I have disc brakes on all four wheels on my '41 P12. Used AAJ Brakes. I also have installed a dual reservoir master cylinder. Can't tell you about performance yet because the car is not on the road yet. Hopefully that will change this spring.

Jim Yergin

[Dennis Hemingway]

My P15 has stock brakes that our son rebuilt in 2001 and they work good. I would like to change to front discs someday.

Dennis:cool:

[RobertKB]

I have three old Mopars all with stock drum brakes and I plan to keep them that way. I have no plans for discs and the drums work well if adjusted properly. I do, however, alway keep an eye on the fluid level in the master cylinder.

[homebrewer]

48 P15 coupe. Stock brakes running 350 SBC. No Problem stopping, but I am considering front discs.

[gspineda]

I put disc brakes on my P15 about 3 years ago. I think for todays driving in the L. A. area, it's a must. The other cars on the road are too fast and furious. george p.

[martybose]

My P15 has well-adjusted stock brakes on it now, but I plan to install front disks by the time I get it running again. I'm too used to my commute car (a Honda with upgraded 4 wheel disk brakes), so that even though I leave a lot of extra space when driving the 47, I've still had some moments when I was trying to put my foot through the floor trying to get the old girl to stop!

Marty