Driving back from picking up the wagon in Canada last week I learned the true value of the dual master cylinder. Good trip right up until the city limits. Traffic started to get heavy. Lots of stop-and-go. Finally got out of the gridlock, got moving a bit, stepped on the brakes, and... nothing. Nada. Worried. With some furious pumping and severe pressure I got her slowed down and off the road. Front reservoir of the master cylinder was bone dry. Turns out I broke a rear brake hose. I think this was due to the combination of bad shocks and bumpy roads, but I could be wrong. It may not be "traditional" but I'd have been traditionally fucked w/ out it. I'll never own a car w/ out again.
Faaar out man. You survived. I got a buddy that's about 10 years older than me here's what he says, "I was there in the good old days and risked my neck in those old jalopies. My cars will still be my cars just the way I always built 'em but they'll be a lot safer to ride in than they were,""back in the day."" I'll tell you what TB, bein' on this side of the grass, that's where its at.
Just ordered brackets to put front discs on my '57 Plymouth wagon today, with a dual resorvoir setup too. I like the car. Doesn't mean I want to die in it..
I want to DRIVE my car- not fear wrecking it so I'm putting a disc brake conversion as well (It will be hidden behind the chrome reverse so who give a shit) I'll find something to do with the master and booster.
Gotgas I'll send you pics of our 57 wagon when i get a chance to get up to the barn where it's stored.
Also, on a dual system, when a circuit fails, KEEP PUSHING DOWN. The pedal picks up way down there on the floor--pumping won't help if one part is totally out. The pedal feels dead but still works when it gets there...
Well, I have been there on the other side with my '51 Chevy Styleline. I was driving down the I-5 CA in LA traffic, 5pm, when I encountered the cars in front of me (about 50') stopped. I hit my brakes and the blasted pedal went straight down to the floor! I remained calm but my passenger friend turned pale white (he's a dark Mexicano). Seeing no option, I pulled that nice big chrome handle on my right side and whoooosh....my wheels locked up and the car spun all over the freeway! But hey, she stopped! I will never go with the single master brake cylinder again!
Yeah, when mine did it on the '54 Buick, I stood up on the park brake pedal, and slammed back down through the gears on the manaul column shifter (clutch? Who needs a clutch?) and I still couldn't bring it to a stop before getting into the middle of a very, very busy two-lane highway, frequented by semi trucks going to the Publix grocery store chain main warehouse and bakery complex down the road. Fortunately, it happened at 6:30am because I went into work early that day. If I'd have gone in at 9am like normal, I'd have been totaled, because that road is non-stop busy from 8:00am until 6pm. Thing feels like it actually picks up speed when that happens, doesn't it?! -Brad
I have my 63 Ford converted to dual MC. I've been looking for a while to find a suitable dual setup for my '50 Chevrolet. Anyone "been there - done that" with dual MC conversion in a mostly stock 50 Chevy?. I don't care about "strictly stock" but I am running original drivetrain - suspension -etc. Any bolt-on kits available?. I will gladly fabricate parts as well. Thanks - PB
a dual MC for a 65 impala is only like 16 bucks, gonna change mine SOON. problem is, i gotta have the little brass splitter thingies, whatever ya call em (heard em called proportioning valves?). missed a set on ebay and i'm not too sure where to get em. when the time comes to do my front brakes, i'll call up classic industries and see if they have any. my car is drum/drum, so a dual MC for it might work ok in a 50 or so chevy with some fabrication.
I'll tell you what TB, bein' on this side of the grass, that's where its at.[/QUOTE] Preach on brother, Preach on!!!
Yep. That's what initially scared the bejeezus out of me. "They" always tell you to pump. Once I figured out that if I stood on the brake pedal, it'd slow down, I got to feeling a little better about things. It was too late for my underoos by then though
A good feeling, being able to stop, isn't it. Had the same thing happen to a front brake line on the way to LA Roadster show last year. Traffic went from 70 to stopped in about 1/8 mile on I10. Only bumped the guy in front of me instead of plowing into him. Love being able to stop! jerry
I will never go without a dual set up. The day after I drove my wagon all the way from Seattle to Charleston, the rear seal went bad and I had to put the wagon in a ditch or else rearend a big SUV. I ordered a disk brake set up the next day.
any one that is still running a single res on a daily driver is an idiot!!! thats all i'll say on that!! glad to hear that you and your car are both OK.
my '66 Olds came stock with a single-pot master cylinder and drums on all four corners... in a 4,800 lb car capable of 130 out of the box. Thems was the days, eh? I tossed the MC, booster and all four drums along with most of the plumbing. I redid it with a later model booster, a Corvette disc/disc master, some disc spindles out of a later Toro and the rear disc setup out of a '78 Eldorado. I used a GM distribution block and a Behr adjustable proportioning valve, and topped it all off with some Goodridge braided stainless brake lines. Now that puppy will stop on a dime and spit change at you. Never, never never skimp on the brakes, even if it's a trailer queen. Doc.
The Jalopy Journal
