Re: IML: After a Long Silence/Brake Conversions

[PAUL WENTINK <randalpark@xxxxxxx>]

Rebuilt and adjusted correctly, the stock brakes on a 1957 Imperial 
work very well. They definitely stop faster than a bus or a semi, and 
millions of them are on the road everyday. The original braking systems 
do require maintenance, mostly regular adjustments. I don't put enough 
miles on any of my Imperials to make this adjustment necessary more 
often than once every couple of years. Personally, I do it more often 
than required because I like to tinker with and to keep track of what's 
going on with my cars.

I have never converted a single pot master cylinder to a dual one. In 
my driving career, brake failures have come in several forms, none of 
which have resulted in an accident, or would have turned out 
differently with a dual reservoir master cylinder. Checking fluid 
levels, and regular maintenance is the name of the game. If a dual 
reservoir master cylinder turns your crank, than make the conversion. 
The same goes for a disc brake conversion.

My main objection to this topic is that it often turns into the 
statement that our cars are not safe to drive unless these changes are 
made. That statement is false. The cars are safe as they were built if 
they are maintained and driven properly. Poor maintenance and bad 
driving habits cannot be corrected with updated/re-engineered brake 
systems.

Paul W.


-----Original Message-----
From: ahogangoat@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 3:47 pm
Subject: IML: After a Long Silence



Hi Everyone,

I have been a member of this online club for many years but in the last 
several
years I have not "spoken" via email at all. I have been checking in 
from time
to time and always find interesting and informative conversation going 
on.
What a wonderful group of people Imperial owners are!!
I have recently sold cars leaving me with only my '57 Imperial. Now I 
am going
to concentrate on it. Right now it needs some brake wheel cylinder 
work. I
was wondering if anyone has done an AAJ conversion on a '57 or similar 
pitting
on disk brakes and eliminating the factory front drums and the factory 
master
cylinder. I want to convert the system to a dual circuit master 
cylinder if I'm
going to do a conversion.
The first question really is, however, with modest driving, is it 
possible to
get the factory brakes to be reliable without constant fiddling and 
adjusting.
I've heard stories of these "total contact" brakes being very fussy, 
especially
on Plymouths and Dodges etc. I won't need extreme brake response as I 
will
drive the car gently anyway. My car is really in excellent condition as 
it has
only 25,000 original miles and has been treated well all it's life. The 
biggest
brake problem to date has been hydraulic leaks at the wheel cylinders. 
Some of
the problem surely has been due to non-use and that condition will 
improve now.

Thanks,

Tim

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