OK, here we go. I took a test drive today with the 400-lb. Huckster body on my car, and the new brakes work fine. They can slide the tires. These brakes for small-drum rear ends use many of the same components as the bigger set Texas T offers, but with smaller drums and rotors. The drums and rotors, caliper brackets, and spacers are unique for this kit, and the other components, such as master cylinder, calipers, etc., are the same as on the big-drum kit which has been so popular. The only complaint heard about those brakes was that they "looked too big." So Ben will now be offering this kit as an alternative for those who prefer a less obtrusive setup.
Here are some pics:
You can see that they are much less obtrusive than the big-drum version. These use a special small drum that Ben had made for this kit. Your stock parking brake system is retained and works as usual. By the way, I used the new brake shoes offered by Snyder's (and Texas T Parts) and they are much better than the ones we have been getting for the past many years. These didn't require any "tweaking" to get them to fit.
The special drums had to be made about 3/4" deeper than stock, to set the rotor farther inward. That was necessary to provide clearance for the big caliper to fit between the rotor and the wheel spokes. Ben wanted to use the same caliper as on the big-drum setup, because it was engineered as a complete system and tested and known to work well. It is a 4-piston Wilwood caliper.
Someone here recently suggested using a flexible brake line at the caliper, which I thought was a good idea. So I did that on mine. I don't know whether Ben will offer that as a part of the kit or not, but it will work fine either way. The advantage I see to using the flex line is that if (when) you need to remove the wheel/hub for any reason, you won't need to disconnect the line from the caliper, so you won't need to re-bleed the system.
The clearances are close when installing all this hardware between the wheel spokes and radius rods. Your rear end must be in good condition to eliminate excess movement, and your hubs need to be oriented in their proper place with respect to the backing plates. I suggest that you determine that your hubs are in the correct alignment using stock brake drums as a guide. The inner edge of the stock drums should reach the outer face plane of the backing plates, not overlap them. If you have worn axles or hubs, you might need axle shims to achieve the correct alignment. Once you install these deeper drums, you won't have that inner edge reference point you have with the stock drums.
It took some fiddling to get everything lined up right, and to let Ben know how much wider to make the drums, etc. But I think it was all worth the trouble, in order to have brakes which work really well.
For more info, you can contact Ben Hardeman at ben@texastparts.com.
I can't believe there are no comments on this new brake system. Several of you expressed an interest when I first mentioned it some time ago.
I guess I'll need to throw some politics into this thread to get any participation.
Look good to me, I'll start sticking pennies in the piggy bank for a set of them sometime over the winter.
These look far better to me than the other set you had, Mike.
Mike,
Probably stating the obvious here but . . .
I don't doubt that they are fine brakes and I like your idea of the flex line. I'm just not fond of the look of obviously newer technology disc brakes on a Model T. I suspect there are many others like me. At the same time, if the look doesn't bother you, it is your car and these are likely better than the other available alternatives. Disc brakes have certainly proven to be the best for modern vehicles.
Walt
Mike, I have to agree with Walt about the look of disc brakes on a T. Of course I can skid the rear wheels with my Bennetts in a panic but I feel it's the front that would benifit the most.
I do like your flex line and Thanks for some great photos!
Thanks for the pic's Mike. I have been leaning towards disc since I got my T. Will look at this setup very closely.
I bought my T to drive and enjoy and do so safely.
Thanks again for this post.
Sam
I installed a set of these brakes more than 2 years ago on my 1926 TuDor and absolutely love them. The only problem I had was that the master cylinder interfered with the floor boards, too tall. A little router work to provide some relief and all was good. I have driven the car at least 10k miles since and these are the bees knees, so to speak. I have also added a set of flex lines to the calipers. This makes it easier to removed the wheels.
When I purchase other Model T it will have Texas T disk brakes.
Mike
Walt & Gene -- I understand what you're saying about the newer technology not looking appropriate on a Model T. I agree with you.
I am building a Coupelet which will have absolutely no aftermarket parts on it. I'm building it that way because it's a rare car and I'm trying to restore it to the best of my ability. This one on which I put disc brakes will be my "touring" T and it will be negotiating modern traffic on a regular basis. I want it to be as safe to drive as I can make it, so I'm putting the best type of brakes on it. I may put front wheel brakes on it as well, whenever some good ones become available. None of my T's have a distributor or water pump, or other "modern upgrades," because I like the experience of driving a "real" Model T. But for the one I'll be driving a lot, safety trumps originality. You guys do what feels right to you, which is what I'm doing.
Mike Z. -- I just saw the picture of your brakes after posting. I feel the need to tell you that you should use black zip ties on the lines in order to be "period correct."
Mike,
I certainly meant no offense by my remarks. My 26 Coupe is pretty much correct but I added brake lights and turn signals because of the traffic around me and the awkwardness of hand signals in a closed car. No distributor or water pump but it will have foot operated lined brake shoes inside cast drums on the rear before it tours again. Like you, I value safety.
On the other hand, my speedster is not correct on a variety of counts with 4 wheel juice brakes (drum), a modern steering box, distributor and alternator. I freely admit to modern concessions when people ask about the car. Those mods make it easier for me to drive the car the way I would like and with a safety comfort level I can live with.
I suspect if there was an easy to adapt drum brake kit available, it would be a real decent seller. I've just not seen one advertised. The disc brake kit sure seems like an easy and quite clean install so I understand the attraction to it.
Walt
It's easier to do front drum brakes than rears.
No offense taken, Walt. Your opinion has as much validity as mine or anyone else's. We all have the right to determine what to do with our cars.
Mike,What kind of money does it take to buy a set? That certainly is a big factor for a lot of folks.
$1,125
Now that is crazy. There isn't $1125 worth of technology there.
Product liability insurance...
I don't know, but I've seen some real screwed up aftermarket things using hip pocket (or close) engineering.
By the testimonials, they have this one almost right.
That price is waaaay off
Come on Uncle Jack last year at Chickasha when you cracked that wallet open I saw a moth fly out. Still have the five dollar bill I got in change from you. It was so old Lincoln didn't have a beard. LOL
Well.... Mr Walker...... I just could not afford black zip ties, suppose it'll have to wait. Maybe an upgrade is in the future. Oh well
Mike
Mike can you tell me the source of the flex lines and part number? I have these brakes on my 27 Tudor and they work great but I think the flex lines would be a great upgrade.
George -- Send me your email address and I'll forward you a message with that information in it. Click on my profile to see my email address.
Jack
Anything with the name " wilwood" is always on the upper end of the price scale, they make a ton of racing applications for dirt track, drag racing, ect....
I'm with you I can't see it "for me" but if you can afford it that's great !