Re: IML: Dashboard lights

["jsadowski" <jsadowski@xxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <randalpark@xxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 6:08 AM
Subject: Re: IML: Dashboard lights
On the 61-63, you can check the ash tray light to see if the switch is 
functioning.
John


Incidentally, for 1960 only, the way to determine if the problem is system 
related or switch related is to see if the two push button illumination 
lights are still functional. These were changed to electro luminescent 
panels in 1961, so this test will not work after the '60 model year.

Paul W.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jan LundstrÃm <janlundstrom@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Mon, 1 May 2006 09:42:53 +0200
Subject: IML: Dashboard lights


Hi all...
The dashboard went black yesterday night on my 63 convertible...
I had some problems with the headlightswitch before, how do i check if thats 
the culprit???
Jan Lundstrom
Sweden
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dr David George Briant
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 8:31 PM
Subject: Re: IML: Dual Master Cylinder Install - 63


A timely, accurate summation by Paul....for those who must have others doing 
Collector Imperial 'service' work, "trust, but verify"......from sunny 
Arizona.....
----- Original Message ----- 
From: randalpark@xxxxxxx
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 10:29 AM
Subject: Re: IML: Dual Master Cylinder Install - 63


Just back from a week's vacation in sunny Arizona!

This has been done and explained many times here over the years. There is a 
lot of information about it in the archives. Several current active IMLer's 
will have all the details needed to make this modification. The original 
style wheel cylinders can remain, but I believe a proportioning valve that 
is mated with the master cylinder is a must.

Although this modification is an excellent safety enhancement, it is not 
necessary in order for the car to be considered safe. Proper maintenance of 
the original braking system is adequate protection against "catastrophic 
brake failure". Brake failure is not "catastrophic" (although very 
un-nerving) if driving defensively, along with being conscious of the idea 
that anything can happen anytime.

While an excellent idea, installing dual master cylinder, along with 
necessary proper maintenance will not make the Imperial safe. That is 
totally conditional upon what is going on in the head of the person behind 
the steering wheel. Driving is a full time job. Talking on cell phones and 
day dreaming (about the Imperial's next restoration project) are not 
conducive to safe driving. Being prepared, anticipating problems both with 
the car and other drivers, and considering what might be ahead are what 
makes the car safe while on the road.

Just a note of caution, a friend driving a 1981 Lincoln T&C with front disc 
brakes and a dual master cylinder, unexpectedly lost his brakes (according 
to him) without warning. It was later discovered that the front wheel 
portion of the m/c reservoir was bone dry. This went unnoticed because the 
car stopped well enough with the rear wheels that the driver was unaware of 
the lack of front braking. Lack of maintenance eventually led to the rear 
wheel brake failure as well. The car had been routinely serviced by a shop, 
but no one ever looked in the master cylinder.

No number of safety improvements can take the place of proper maintenance 
and safe driving.

Paul W.

Paul W.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Alexander <m.alexander@xxxxxxx>
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sun, 30 Apr 2006 09:13:13 -0700
Subject: IML: Dual Master Cylinder Install - 63


Getting ready to dust of the 63 Crown for the summer, one of the projects 
which I am planning on tackling before hitting the road is replacing the 
standard single master cylinder with a dual master cylinder. The main 
purpose of doing this is to avoid catastrophic brake failure which happened 
once when a wheel cylinder failed, luckily it was while I was  waiting a at 
drive-thru window and was able to stop using the parking brake without any 
damage.

So the plan is to install a dual reservoir master cylinder and run separate 
lines for front and rear brakes. I have some questions if anyone was done 
this before:

- Is there a recommended master cylinder that bolts into 63 and has the 
required cylinder reservoir capacity?
- Are the stock brake lines separated into front and back and brought back 
into the engine compartments or will I have to run all new brake lines.?
- It appears that single master cylinders were used so that each wheel would 
have equal braking pressure applied, and larger wheel cylinders were used in 
the front to proportion additional braking to the front wheel. Will changing 
the master cylinder also require changing each wheel cylinder?
- Any recommendation on parts suppliers or possibly a kit to make these 
modifications?

Thanks
MOA




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