back to the '61 brakes.......

["Hugh & Therese" <hugtrees@xxxxxxxx>]

John & Big Red,

My mechanic is positive he can swap my single MC for a dual MC.   He also outlined the resulting modification that would be necessary to do this.    His biggest concern is getting a dual MC that fits into the space of the original and also being able to mount it to the firewall.   Was '67 was the first year Imperial had a dual MC?   and

What year dual MC is the optimum one to put into a '61 Crown?   

OK>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

I assume that your 61 is all around drums.  This is important.  You need to get an MC that matches the car.  If it has discs on the front and drums on the back, you need an MC that matches that.  There are different pressure or line pressure maintenance requirements for discs and drums.

 

As I say, I assume the 61 is al around drums.  I just made this change to my 58.  I used a dual chamber MC from a 1969 Dodge Charger, which is all around drums.  The backing plate matched exactly, so it was a straight bolt on with no modifications needed.  Good old MOPAR!  They had a standard fir for this stuff.  I am assuming your mechanic will be doing the plumbing so no need to go into all that, but it is relatively simple.

 

You do not say why you are changing to a dual MC.  If it is just a piece of mind upgrade, I can find no fault with that.  If, however, your brakes have other issues, making the change before you resolve them may make tracking down the real problem more difficult.  As Arran Foster said yesterday, very wisely, in my opinion, moving away from original specs will not be a solution in and of itself to solving any problems.

 

If your car has been stationary for a long time, I highly recommend basically replacing all the lines, steel and flexible, and replacing all your wheel cylinders as well.  Brake line and hoses are cheap, and while the wheel cylinders are not hanging off every parts store shelf, they are out there and are cheaper, by several magnitudes, than say, a stay in hospital.

 

Oops, there I go being overly dramatic again.

 

I regret not having completely replaced all the components on my car.  It is what I wanted to do, but that's a different story.  Over time, I have replaced all the wheel cylinders, all of the flexible hoses and maybe 30% of the lines.  I consider the brakes on my car to be its Achilles heel, and while they are working now better than ever, I would just feel better if I had stuck to my guns and gone for a total overhaul.

 

Allow your mechanic to advise about what is best in your case.  My friend, a former shop owner, who helped me with my project, nickel and dimed me just about to death.  He's a wonderful man but cared a little too much about saving a penny here, a penny there, than approaching my car's problems from a systemic point of view.  He went component by component, which just dragged the process out unmercilessly.  Now, I'm just as cheap as the next guy.  In fact, having been educated in Scotland, I have been known to stretch a dollar until the president screams, but even I was willing to spring for a whole new set of stuff, just to be on the safe side.

 

All the best.

 

Hugh

58 Imperial.

 

PS.  In case you've already forgotten, here is the one line, three word answer to your question:

 

69 Dodge Charger