Jim and All: That doesn't speak too well for the 1970 Plymouth brake system, as it was of the Dual variety! Perhaps the other "side" of the system had already failed along with the reminder/warning light. I agree the changing to the dual system is a bit of an overkill. If one replaces all the components with new (hoses and lines) and rebuilt/new cylinders, one really has nothing to worry about. I do always check my brake fluid before departing on a long trip such as to a meet. One can always make a "what if" case for adding most any safety oriented item. None of us will ever be driving our cars in the road salt that would result in rust through of the steel lines as it did with new cars of the time. It has been my experience also that sudden brake failure is rare. I used to drive my brake fluid seeping 56 DeSoto "salt car" down 8 Mile Road to work daily at the Warren Truck plant. I knew when it got down to 3 pumps to get deceleration it was time to add a bit of fluid! (4 pumps once required a pull on the hand brake.) Now, don't get me started on why I think the original drum (with servo action) brakes--properly set up--are probably superior to those tiny disks that will fit in a 6" X 14" wheel!!! Well, enough from here---its time for a martini on the porch. 300ly, Gil C. Perfect weather in Tally, FL In a message dated 4/21/2010 2:22:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, ajp002@xxxxxxxxx writes: Years ago, while driving, my brother had the flexible brake hose between the metal line and one of the front brakes rupture on his 1970 RoadRunner, which resulted in total hydraulic brake failure. He was quick enough minded to use the emergency brake to get back home. If you have replaced all three of the brake hoses, my personal view is that converting to a dual master cylinder may be overkill. Other than my brother's incident, sudden brake failure is rare. Much more common is gradual failure in which the brake pedal continues to get softer or lower. I recently had this on my 1999 Dodge van. It turned out that one of the rear brake cylinders had a slow leak and my brake fluid eventually went too low. Then, the pedal nearly went to the floor, but this was gradual over a few days. Best regards, Jim On Wed, Apr 21, 2010 at 12:37 PM, keboonstra <kboonstra@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > > > I'm doing a high quality "driver restoration" to factory correct on our > 300C, and I am considering the idea of converting to a dual master cylinder > system if I can work up enough worry about the single cylinder system. I've > never had a problem with loss of braking in my lifetime of driving, and have > heard or read of very few cases where it happened to someone. > > If I make sure I have a very well freshened brake system throughout my car, > how much concern should I have about a single master? Changing to dual would > be my only concession to modernity other than the installation of seat belts > and radials in my car, and I don't get pulled easily over to the "updating" > side in our old car hobby. I really enjoy experiencing the way an old car > acts for the most part, but I want to keep safety in mind as well. What do > you think? > > And how about this related question. Suppose your brakes went out and all > you now had was your parking brake to save you from certain mayhem. Would > you pull the brake just a little to slow down gradually and risk having it > fade and become useless? Or would you pull it decisively so as to lock it up > before it has a chance to fade from overheat? Would pulling it too hard at > speed bust up the brake and leave you with nothing? > > Or how about hitting the "R" button at road speed? Is there a lockout to > keep it from going to reverse at certain speeds? That maneuver may possibly > throw your car in a spin, but prudently done it might be better than > coasting a half mile looking for a soft tree to stop you. > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To send a message to this group, send an email to: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To send a message to this group, send an email to: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: Chrysler300-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Chrysler300-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/