Drums all 'round?...are you mad?!!!!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat May 21, 05 1:07 am

That was the biggest culture shock when I got the Plymouth. My previous car was a 1998 Jaguar XJR, so the 'USS Nimitz style' braking distances were.....unnerving!

I really want to get something sorted, but don't fancy blowing a grand on disks when the car is really only going to be a cruiser, with the occaisional quarter mile stuck under its belt.

How do I go about sticking at least a power MC on the car? Can I get one from a later car, or is their some devious trick thing made of billet that I can spend my unborn childrens inheiritance on?

Answers on a postcard........or alternatively, just reply to this thread!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat May 21, 05 9:48 am

Well I'm no expert but my Dart runs drums all round and at some point in it's life the brake pipes were changed to braided hoses, which apparently helps, and a more efficent servo fitted. It works so well I have to be careful that I don't brake too hard.
Not an entirely helpful response, but hey what did you expect? Answers?? Ha Ha Ha! But thought I'd pass on what I know.
This is my first Mopar but not my first Yank.
Being driving Chevys as daily drivers for 15 years. Sorry, can I say Chevy's on here....Damn... done it again

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat May 21, 05 9:56 am

It should stop well. As well as you can stop a two ton mass. The only problems with drums all round is brake fade due to heat after repeated applications of the brakes and a tendency to pull to one side in an emergency brake situation.

If it is a big block car it should have 11" druns all round. Smaller engines used 10" drums.

I would suggest that you go through the brake system to make sure everything is in top condition.

Of course it could be that you are just not pressing the pedal hard enough. That is not as silly as it may sound. When you have been driving a lighter car or any car with a booster it takes a while to get used to the amount of weight you need to apply with your foot.

You know you are getting the hang of it when you get back into your modern car and you find you are now locking up the brakes every time you touch them.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sat May 21, 05 10:25 am

I have size 12 feet and always wear "Big Boots" when I drive the Mopars.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat May 21, 05 11:20 am

My 'Cuda's got drums all round, and no servo - but seems to stop OK
Might be an idea to upgrade thou, methinks

Thought I might add a remote servo as a start

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat May 21, 05 12:04 pm

These guys might help

http://www.praisedynobrake.com/index.htm

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon May 23, 05 11:40 am

Looks good

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon May 23, 05 11:57 am

I have power brakes with drums at back n discs up front. It stops fine!!

Well, the wheels stop turning but the car dont stop going forwards is what I mean.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon May 23, 05 12:06 pm

Don't get me wrong, they aren't exceptionally bad for a car with drum brakes all 'round. I almost bought Billy McDurmuids pro street '67 camaro which was knocking out 550 bhp and had drums on each corner, even that wasn't particularly scary. However, I really would like to get a bit more bite on the front. Are there any alternatives to a Stainless Steel Brakes kit? can I grab something off a later doner vehicle and make it work? Even just a servo would help a bit!

MrNorm · Post by **MrNorm** » Mon May 23, 05 12:06 pm

Do a search on this topic, there are a number of threads that have info.

My opinion is well documented - save your money on the servo front. Like Dave said, in good condition and with enough pedal force, the manual drums work quite well....once!
If you do want better braking and you've got money to spend on a servo, forget that and get discs instead.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon May 23, 05 1:25 pm

The best thing you can do is read THIS.

http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/archive/disc-main.html

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon May 23, 05 1:41 pm

I was always happy with the drums all round on the Plymouth & Buick, maiinly as my rather relaxed driving style means I only tend to use them at like 25 MPH or less and you can lock em up just fine. Then I was doing 65 on the bypass and a car up front stopped dead in the road. Goddamn it seemed to take forever to stop. You suddenly feel very concious that you only have a lap belt on...

Recently read a mag where they upgraded the 5.5 x 14" stock steelies & 195 tyres to 8x17s with modern "mid priced" rubber, decent shockers and bushes and took just over 60 feet off the 60 MPH stopping distance of some 70s yank... Got off another 80 feet or so with some modern vented discs.

That had me thinking and looking at the mixed brand decade old whitewalls on the Fury and starting to worry about the aged shocks and springs, etc.