Re: Classic Disk Brakes

Posted by Tim Cole On 2015/8/18 15:36:56

I question the expertise of someone who says a rebuilt Treadle-Vac is like manual brakes. You have already invested money in the brake work but didn't address the Booster. That may be a wise decision depending on the source for the rebuilding. If the brake job was just putting new seals in the wheel cylinders then that isn't too much of a waste.

Recently I watched a program on the 1955 LeMans race where a drum braked Mercedes killed 83 spectators because a drum braked Austin-Healy couldn't slow down fast enough to avoid rear ending a disc braked Jaguar. So these conversions to disc brakes are probably a safer route to go given the traffic flows today. But it depends on where you live and how you drive.

The biggest problem with the drum brakes are worn drums and non-original linings. I don't care what anybody says, drum brake linings today are not as effective as the original asbestos. Every low mileage original car I have driven had better brakes than a restored system.

So it's a matter of choice and the kits available don't seem to be the kind of butcher work they do at the hot rod shop. Some of these kits allow the car to be put back to original which is good.