Re: IML: brake conversion's and upgrades on 59's

["Ken & Tracie" <ktjosephson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If you are a purist in every respect and see no justification for modifying 
your Imperial's brakes, please delete this message. If you interested in 
exploring some alternatives, please read on.

Three things about drum brakes. These are just my opinions, beliefs and 
experiences, so please do not feel personally attacked if any of this runs 
contrary your opinions, beliefs or experiences. I drive a '59 Plymouth in 
heavy traffic several days per week.

1.) The original "Full Contact" drum brakes worked fine much of the time, 
but seemed to need constant adjustment if I wanted a consistent pedal or if 
I wanted the car to stop in a straight line every time. Even brand new brake 
hardware and having an old time Mopar mechanic help me set everything up did 
not change this.

2.) The issue of brake shoe lining material. This is especially critical 
when you take into account that our car's original drum brakes were designed 
to be used with asbestos lining. Some mechanics and restorers believe the 
materials used today have different heat dissipation characteristics and 
this may affect both fading rate and stopping distance. I do not know if 
anybody has ever done a comparison to see if this is true. If it is true, 
perhaps the original brakes will not perform as well as they could if the 
original material is not used.

3.) Depending upon the total contact surface of pad to disk or shoe to drum, 
many newer vehicles, including some 1960s drum brake equipped cars, have a 
shorter stopping distance than some of the 1950s and early 1960s cars. There 
have been advances in brake technology since the late 1950s. I AM NOT saying 
disk brakes are better than drum brakes. I am just saying that newer 
vehicles have better ways of dissipating heat, use dual hydraulic circuits, 
have a proportionately larger friction surface area and stay in adjustment 
longer.

When you take into account that many urban dwellers deal with crowded 
roadways and aggressive drivers, any advantage that can keep an often driven 
vintage vehicle's braking consistent and easy to maintain is fine in my 
book. Providing, of course, that the modifications can be reversed so the 
car may still receive a proper restoration if and when the time comes.

I used this kit on my '59 Plymouth:

http://www.aajbrakes.bravepages.com/

It not only made my '59 stop more consistently, but the car has a shorter 
braking distance in a full out "panic stop." Probably because the pad to 
disk contact area is larger than the original narrow drums and shoes.

There is also a rear disk brake kit available from this supplier which means 
no more hassles with pulling the rear drums to change the shoes.

K. 




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