disc brakes on a hotrod(GASP!)

so im about ready to get into my new shop and get back on the model a(only a couple weeks worth of work left.) I ended up doing more to the motor than expected. Its gonna be real fast. So now im thinking, for the price of rebuilding those 40 ford brakes i have, maybe i could just get one of those disc brake kits from summit? I dunno just the idea around, it dosnt look as cool and its not traditional but it will surely stop better. Anyone running them on your hotrod?
wes

 

Keith had disks on the road rash.....

 

yea i was hoping he would see this and chime in, that mother ****er stopped on a dim too.
wes

 

39-48 Ford brakes ****. use 53-56 ford pickup brakes, self energizing, self adjusting

 

A few people over here have been hiding the discs behind drum backing plates. You can only see a bit of the caliper, but you could fab up a scoop or something to hide them.
Just a thought.....Tyson

 

I dunno Wes...they're kinda new and untested.

Seriously...if you think you NEED them you should run them!
Your not gonna enjoy the car with fear of your braking system always in the back of your mind.

I'll be running F100's myself but I'd run discs if I thought I'd need them.

 

Where have been hiding young man? Lets see the latest pics. And go ahead and run the disk, being flattened out on the back of another car doesnt look cool either. Been thinking of an update from my 48's latley myself.

 

hiding in my hole. not much new on the car right now, cant really work outta my garage. only a few weeks of work once the motor gets back. check your myspace thing greezy, i sent ya a message.
wes

 

Here's my disc brakes that are hidden on my A.

 

http://groups.msn.com/ZekesHAMBerChat/chat.msnw?r=1

There you go

 

is that a handmade deal or does someone sell that

 

That's a kit i got from So Cal Speed Shop from my project.

 

i had to re apply for membership so im just waiting to get approved

 

looks really nice but im guessing its gonna put a hurt on my wallet huh?

 

Yeah i'm afraid so. They always say if you have to ask the price you dont need it. LOL I haven't tryed them out yet so i dont know how great they will work. Just research all your options before you decide on something.

 

If you get the conversion from Speedway, you will spend around 300.00 and it is well worth it. We just put a set on my neighbors truck(replaced the 40 juice brakes) and I am seriously considering putting them on my modified.
It is the difference between daylight and dark. This thing stops on a dime now and you used to have to think about stopping way before you got there before.

 

i'm sure glad some safety sense is starting to creep in on the hamb. i have disc brakes on my coupe, and i wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Nice post !!! Gets me to thinking about my brakes again !!

 

I'll be running discs on the front of my roadster...
I have no qualms about it..

 

I am running disks on my 31 - I just love good self adjusting easy to maintain brakes.

I hate drum brakes - Rodders would use the best brakes available.

nothing like hitting the brakes and getting a good pull to one side when one is out of adjustment or rolling through a stop sign because they have faded out.

I do think they look cool and drums are OK for cars with flatheads that can't go over 60

 

I have been using '40 drums on my sedan for over 2 years now. While it is all cool and TRAD,they don't stop worth ****!I had a few close calls,I uesd both feet on the pedal,and thought about some cartoon,with my feet draggin the ground!! I'm afraid im gonna have to throw in the TRAD. towel,and upgrade! What's the diffrence beetween non-power discs,and F1 Bendix's???? Thanks Sparky

 

Forties Fords had brakes? I thought all that hardware was just to look good!

 

[ QUOTE ]
looks really nice but im guessing its gonna put a hurt on my wallet huh?

[/ QUOTE ]
Boyd uses 'em so you know they are not cheap! BUT...you also know that they work.

 

I'm really happy to read this post. I ran all the early Ford/ F100 stuff years ago, and I'm sold on discs. My 34 project is getting discs and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

There's a good tech article in R&C about hiding disk brakes.

They are using a polished frying pan as a cover, check out
the article.

 

Yeah, Flt Blk is right. Take a look at this month's R&C before spending the cash on So Cal's or Speedway's expen$ive stuff.

 

as told to me by and old time rodder........drum brakes are good as long as the car that is in front of you panic stoppping had drum also...

 

I'm running discs on my 32. I used the basic Super Bell kit and sourced the MoPar rotors and GM calipers from the auto recycle center. They stop good. And I agree, if discs had been available when I built my Model A coupe in 58 that is what I would have used. With a little effort you can make the look good even if they are not traditional.

 

Not going tip my hat to either discs or drums. What I am going to mention is EVERYONE needs to drive a little better! Even in my late model, I have found myself following with greater distance. People just do stupid **** and a multi-car pileup in common these days. Doesnt matter what type of brakes you have, if you follow too close, you will have a problem.

 

Wes, i have disc's on both my truck and my coupe.
The coupe i'm not all that crazy about only for the looks..but the truck with the fenders kinda hide's them a little.

They both stop great..actually, the truck stop's better than most cars i've owned.
Feels like a go-kart..

Tony.