Re: [FWDLK] 1957 DODGE BRAKES, WHEELS, HUBCAPS,ETC, ETC.

Ron, I agree – when you make any changes to the original equipment, it starts getting complicated real fast!

If I had my druthers, I’d keep my car as original as possible. We all drove cars with four-wheel drum brakes until the late 70s, and they were fine just as they were.

The real problem is with the availability of replacement parts. I drive that car nearly 10,000 miles a year. At this point I need the hubs along with the drums, and good used samples are almost nonexistent. And NOS are outrageously priced. All that makes disk conversion the more economical choice: with better performance, easy-to-find replacement parts, and lower cost, it’s a no-brainer.

So, the brakes are a definite. I’ll stick with 14-inch wheels if I can find a suitable set that will fit around the calipers. If not, I’ll switch to 15-inch, and get a set of reproduction 15-inch spinner hubcaps. Not my ideal choice – I greatly prefer the look of the standard wheel covers – but it’s still an original 1957 look, so I’ll live with it if I have to.

From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List [mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ron Swartley
Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2011 7:42 PM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [FWDLK] 1957 DODGE BRAKES, WHEELS, HUBCAPS,ETC, ETC.

I have read many of the things that have been written about disk brakes, front and disk brakes back disk brakes, and it keeps getting more and more confusing. Then wheel size and then hubcap size. What next? Carry a 14 inch and 15 inch spare tire!!!

I drag raced Chrysler Products from a 56 Plymouth Fury to a 426 Hemi Superbird and about 25 cars in between those I just mentioned. I won more than 237 drag strip competition trophies and set about 12 drag strip records in my classes, and almost all my cars did 100+ miles per hour in the quarter mile and I had less than 1/8 of a mile to stop them after the race. I never had any problem stopping at all. Brake fade, what brake fade there was almost none.

Now every single car I raced had Mopar Factory power brakes or Factory power assisted brakes. The only time I ever had even a little brake fade was driving down Peters Mountain at a very fast rate of speed that had me on and off the brakes ever few seconds. ALL DUE RESPECT TO YOU GUYS------Where are you driving these cars??????? A 57 Dodge????? You can't run NASCAR with that, I doubt if you are going to take it to one of the drag strips and race it !!!!! You do not need Super disk brakes all the way around to drive a 325 cu inch Dodge to the local car cruise at the "Sonic Drive In Restaurant" a mile outside the city. If you just want the car to look bad and super fast, I still have two very old parachutes that can be mounted on the rear bumper just for show!!!!!! I will sell them very cheap.

Hey, just my .02---based on my racing and collection Mopar's since 1956. ( That is about 55 years!!!!!!!!! )

Ron Allyn Swartley

PS. HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY!!!!!!

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