Re: IML: 1960 master cylinder/Dual versus Single Pot

["Harmsworth" <peter.brian@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,     from NZ
An excellent explanation,  We (Paul & I) must have been taught to drive by 
the same person (Ha) because I have always driven like that too.
I am always a bit nervous of the brakes on any older or HEAVY vehicle, and 
tend to drive so I don't need to use the brakes anywhere near their maximum 
capability.   I was blown away the first time I took my 63 LeBaron for it's 
6 monthly safety check (warrant of fitness) when I was worried that it might 
fail it's brake test especially with it's 42 year old drum brakes front & 
rear.
I thought the guy was having me on, when he said that he got one of the 
highest efficiency readings he has ever had on his brake machine, far better 
than most of the much more modern cars he checks.        Mind you, the 
average modern car weighs a fraction of the weight of an Imperial.       I 
still use them sparingly even so.

Oh yes, I came across another 1960 Imperial this week in a friend's workshop 
here in Auckland.  Unfortunately it is being used as a tool,     a moving 
advertisement for a hire company and is painted a gaudy pink with sign 
writing over it.  It really need a LOVING owner.
Drive safely folks

Cheers Peter H
63 LeBaron


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <RandalPark@xxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 7:55 AM
Subject: Re: IML: 1960 master cylinder/Dual versus Single Pot


> I will be happy to do that. I have explained this before, but first, you 
> have left out the fact that I also said that the dual master cylinder is "a 
> good idea".
>
> When I learned to drive, I was taught to drive as if my car had NO brakes. 
> I use them sparingly, and I am as certain as I can be that they are in top 
> condition. While preparing to stop, I am frequently checking to make sure 
> that they are there for me. Panic stops are another story, but I can count 
> the number of them I have had to make in my life on ONE hand, and my 
> brakes have been there for me EVERYTIME. Panic stops are generally the 
> result of not looking ahead, or paying attention to ones driving. Half of 
> mine were due to that one very serious human frailty.
>
> I have driven over 1,500,000 miles during my driving career. I have lost 
> my brakes due to component failure between 15 and 20 times in 37 years. 
> None of these incidents resulted in a crash. The reason is that I knew 
> that my brakes were going before I absolutely needed them to stop. Five of 
> these were while driving my own vehicles, three of them in old Imperials. 
> I was able to stop my car using what was remaining of the service brakes, 
> and/or the emergency brake, which I keep in top shape at all times. That 
> brake and my driving skill make up my safegaurd.
>
> The emergency brake cable on my '65 Imperial is currently broken. As a 
> result, I have not driven it anyplace except in my yard. It has a single 
> pot master cylinder, and without the emergency brake, my skill/confidence 
> to stop that car is severely compromised.
>
> In my experience brakes rarely suddenly fail. If one wheel goes, there is 
> usually enough "oomph" to at least stop the car once before there is no 
> fluid. Other failures give lots of warning, particularly if you know what 
> to look out for. In most cases of brake failure, I have discovered it by 
> noticing the brake pedal gradually sinking while at a stop, or while 
> preparing to stop. This alerted me very quickly to the problem.
>
> Having a dual mater cylinder is a very good idea, but it is not totally 
> safe either. It can fail in such a way that both pots become useless. I 
> still think that the best practice is to be prepared that the brakes MIGHT 
> fail, but I don't believe that people drive this way any more. Seeing how 
> many people drive while having a casual conversation on their cell phone 
> proves this to me. I can NOT drive well unless I devote my full attention 
> to it. If I can't then I know that others can't either. I worry more about 
> having an unpreventable crash with one of them, then worrying about my car 
> having a single pot master cylinder.
>
> Paul W.


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