Features Mechanical Brakes vs. San Francisco

It is a very curvy street to be certain. Would be curious to do the descent multiple times, back to back, just to see how those mechanical brakes fared. Better yet, head east a couple hundred miles and go down Old Priest Grade.

 

41k miles of abusive driving and still going... mechanical and love it.
The very tedious proper rebuilding, new cast drums and floaters.

 

Have to admit, I've never messed around with mechanical brakes, not counting a mini bike with a rear wheel/tire scrubber brake. Reading this thread makes me wonder if there's been a mechanical brake setup along the lines of the Bendix but with a mechanical actuator instead of the hydraulic wheel cylinder. Seems like servo action with proper adjustments like you all have talked about could be a solution.

Probably a crazy idea, but hey that's just me.

But I'm much better now...

 

UH YA They are what we call "Ted's Floaters"

 

I went down Lombard three time when the kids were small. I had borrowed the mother in law’s new OT car with lass than 2,000 miles. After our little fun ride we went north on the Golden Gate Bridge. NO power! Babied it to the first exit and pulled into a garage. Soon as we stopped they turned off the lights and went home. So we cautiously drove about a mile to a motel. The rotors were red hot. Brakes were binding. Next morning jacked it up and all was well but had them inspected just to be sure.

Maybe that OT car should have had mechanical brakes....

 

Like I said I have no experience with mechanical brakes, so just for informational purposes only I'm going to check out the "Ted's Floaters". I'll stick with hydraulic actuation for the Whatever project

 

The one thing I found on my A is that there are so many mechanical parts and linkages that have a significant effect on braking efficiency and on a 95 year old car they ALL need replacing or refurbishing.

Once done they work great and I love the mechanical brakes on my car.

This is a front drum before replacing with cast iron drums and a fully refurbished back plate.

 

Sure is.

BYOBW!

 

“The front brakes can handle as much as 75% of the total force produced while slowing or stopping the vehicle.”

Hello,

I can remember the first time we as a family went down that winding steep road. Our mom was panicking out grabbing the dash and door handles as if it were a plane crashing at the airport. My brother and I leaned forward to see how steep and winding the road is while our dad had a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel.

We could see his foot “covering the brake pedal,” the stepping in/letting up and finally, jamming down the pedal again. But, we also liked that we were going downhill with the views and the single lane road. For the times we as a family drove up the coast to vacation in San Francisco or the neighboring area, this was a must stop or event for the two young brothers in the back seat.

Thorough out my wife’s eyes wide open journey during our 1966-74 multiple road trips to San Francisco, it was a “must stop and go to spot,” journey situation. No road trip to S.F. was complete without Chinese food in Chinatown, the Fort Point Surf Spot and the always harrowing, but extremely fun, Lombard Street downhill drive.

Jnaki

Even my old H.S. friend who lived around the block in the Westside of Long Beach flew into S.F. for a stopover visit was “eyes wide open” on our downhill journey in the red El Camino. It was/is one of those must see and do spots on everyone’s itinerary when in the big city.

Note:

The addition of your new juice front brakes will be a welcome event. Our 327 powered sedan delivery had ok brakes, but when the whole sedan delivery was being worked on by the front end guy and tire/suspension expert, he mentioned new brakes and parts for the sedan delivery.

At the time it was a little over our expenses, so it was about a month later that I did the replacement of the parts and shoes, as well as the local brake shop turning of the drums that the sedan delivery started to stop on the spot. It was nice to know it now had a shorter stopping distances when driving an old car.
blooming Jacaranda trees in b/w
Our young couple neighbor had a high performance sedan with a powerful motor. But, he had disc brakes and talk about stopping power in the dry and wet for security. After the transformation of our old brake pads to the new pads was enlightening. We still had to push on the brake pedal when driving through a deep puddle. Then tap the brake pedal several times to heat it up to dry any water or moisture on the pads.

Eventually, we were in the savings mode for getting a set of disc brakes for the 327 powered sedan delivery. Finally, time and family changed our direction for the sedan delivery hot rod. It was an offer we could not refuse. Our future cars all had disc brakes front and drums rear, until they all came with all 4 wheel discs.

For the old 327 powered sedan delivery, the new pads and parts made all of the driving in an old hot rod enjoyable and comfortable, knowing it will stop better than the old worn system. You will notice the differences, despite all of the custom work you have already done on your front end. YRMV

But, steep San Francisco? What a nicer place to cruise around, with all of the interesting hills, parks, coast line and inside bay shoreline... Envy for sure... despite the daily dose of thick fog... ha!