More brake conversion/57 IMP transmission and brake conversion

[RandalPark@xxxxxxx]

R.C.,

I agree with you that safety must come first. In the case of your F__D P.U., 
changing from mechanical brakes to hydraulic so that you can drive it in modern 
traffic is what you needed to do. 

As far as our Imperials go, the brakes that came with the cars were never 
particularly unsafe to begin with. No brakes are perfect, and ours are far from 
that. But they are relatively good, and work quite well when properly 
maintained. That is when we drive the cars sensibly. No matter how good our 
brakes are, nobody can stop very well when they are rolling at 80 - 100 miles 
per hour.

It seems that brake conversions are being done because of parts availability. 
That is not really the same as a safety issue to me.

Paul

In a message dated 4/28/2004 11:14:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
rcrabshish@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

> 
> 
> Hi guys,
> I personally feel that updates can be made without
> destroying the quality of any car.  Brakes are a big
> issue.  My Imperial's brakes work fine.  They are new
> throughout.  The cost was very high.  If I change the
> system to a modern venue, it is an upgrade.  Better
> quality systems are safer.  The catastrophic failure
> will defiantly Customize the car.  I have done this to
> other vehicles.  Saving all the original parts and not
> destroying the mount systems mean they can be
> re-installed.  This is why I am watching this thread. 
> My 39 F--d PU was redone in this manner.  Juice brakes
> were way more reliable then mechanical.  Using
> adaptors and saving all of the old parts, it could be
> returned to original.  Safety is important!  Feeling
> safe is just as important.  That is just my 2 cents
> worth.
> RC Billings, Montanaaaaaa
> 
>   --- RandalPark@xxxxxxx wrote: > Arran,
> > 
> > I am with you, especially about how cars that get
> > started down this path are seldom finished. A 392
> > Fuelly??? Now I've heard everything!
> > 
> > Paul
> > 
> > In a message dated 4/26/2004 5:08:51 PM Eastern
> > Daylight Time, monkeypuzzle1@xxxxxxx writes:
> > 
> > >  Backyard engineeering rarely results in a better
> > car then what came from the factory; unfortunately
> > it usually results in an unfinished butchered car
> > that no one can drive, let alone safely. The local
> > ad sheets have at least a handfull of this "scrap
> > iron" put up for sale every week. The sad part is
> > that all of them think that they have added
> > thousands of dollars in value by chopping up an
> > original car even when they aren't even close to
> > being roadworthy. As a result they sit, rust, and
> > eventually become little more then parts cars since
> > no one wants to pick up where they left off.
> > >   My thinking is to get the car running as
> > original, drive it a while, and then make a decision
> > about any upgrades. However adding fuel injection to
> > a 392 is a fool's bargain since it won't make the
> > car run any better and will cost thousands that
> > would be better spent on paint and upholstery. We
> > all know the reasons why these conversions are a
> > waste of time from a practical standpoint, it's not
> > economically justified to do any of it, quite
> > frankly I think that this thread is flame bait and
> > should be treated as such.
> > > Best Regards 
> > > Arran Foster
> > > 1954 Imperial Newport
> > > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > > From: Overland14@xxxxxxx 
> > > To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> > > Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 9:08 PM
> > > Subject: IML: 57 IMP transmission and brake
> > conversion
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Easy does it guys.....The conversion will make my
> > 57 IMP much safer for my wife, children and
> > grandchildren to drive.....they can't even get my 14
> > Overland Speedster started no less drive it to a car
> > show for me....I have 10 cars now and need all the
> > drivers I can get to drive this old iron to shows
> > and events so I can share them with anyone who comes
> > out to see them.....your not going to like this one
> > but my final conversion on the 57 will be the new
> > throttle body to get rid of the carb....I will
> > promise to cover it up with the original air
> > cleaner....I will be happy to take anyone out for a
> > test 
> > > drive in what I think will be the finest driving
> > 57 IMP ever. 
> > 
> >