Re: Bendix Treadle Vac Study- Serioius Business!!

Posted by Craig Hendrickson On 2011/1/14 16:02:54

WRT whether drum brakes are adequate or not, everyone should be reminded that the late JR series Packard has 11in drums and the SR series has 12in drums. According to the 1955 Service Manual, the difference in effective area is 192in-sq (JR) vs 208in-sq (SR) or the JR is 8% less than the SR.

I experienced 100% brake fade on my Dad's 1955 Clipper (JR) in 1962 when trying to stop with a full load of high school kids on a long downhill. That is one of the reasons I installed front disc brakes on my 1955 Pat in 2000. I have never experienced brake fade with it.

Be that as it may, if the BTV fails, then discs vs drums do not matter, do they?

Craig