I know that the F100 self-energizing brakes are the bee's knees compared to 42-48, but turns out this is what I've got and am rolling with it until I can find a helluva deal on them somewhere....SOOOOO, I was wondering if using a booster on my MC would help with the lead foot needed to get that extra stopping power? I know I need to read up on adjusting them correctly, arcing the shoes, etc....but since I want to take my family on rides, I would like to have some extra ***urance there if possible. I know that boosters are likely frowned upon by many in the pure traditional crowd, but tradition be durned!!! I like my family more!!
You need to adjust them and make sure no grease is getting on them. they stop pretty damn good all by themselves. A few things to look for are 1/4" brake line for volume and a good Master cylinder for optimum stopping power. Tim
What is the vehicle they are being used on? When I built my model A, I was also a little concerned that they may not be the best brake system out there. But for stopping my pickup (2100 lbs) it will stop surprisingly great. It seems hard to imagine that it could stop much better. I realize it can, but like I say it STOPS AWESOME. Oh, and regarding the hard pedal. It isn't hard to push at all. I'm using a pedal ***y from a 48-52 F1.
a booster would not be as cost effective as a bendix brake system for improvement.Vintage lockheed style braking just needs constant adjusting.
I agree with the guys who say the stock 40-48 brakes work just fine if set up correctly. They are all I have ever run and my rods stop like my daily with abs and all that stuff. Don
need top of the line material for the shoes/drums that are not to thin the only problem is fade....booster will not help with fade slow down on hills using your transmission........
I don't know how heavy your car is, but on a model A with a sbc they stop just fine, you can lock it up no problem if you had to with out a booster. Besides the booster take up a ton of space in a small car. I've used F100 brakes as well, and I couldn't tell the differance between the two.
GLAD to hear that I don't need the booster. My car is a 29 A coupester, going to be running a 305/Powerglide combo til I can get my flathead rebuilt. I reckon that's pretty light all things considered.
Agree with all the above....Need quality linings, and correct adjustment. It's worth the effort, to adjust them according to the Ford shop maunals. 4TTRUK
Light car, no prob, just get arcs right for full use of friction area. The Ford brakes have no self-boost like Bendix, which makes them feel rather like discs. Pushing harder gives more stop in a very linear manner, whereas more push on Bendix brakes gives very rapid transition from more stop to locked up and sideways in ditch, kind of an exponential curve. Adjustment is simply as tight as you can get it without hindering progress.
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