My friend Steve is rebuilding his RM brakes. The equalizer attaches to the parking brake rod that runs from frame rail to frame rail and is bent to clear the bottom of the transmission. The equalizer is designed to be activated by the parking brake so that the RM brakes work as the parking brake also.
The original parking brakes are installed along with the RM brakes. The equalizer hits the pan if moved too far which prevents the parking brake from moving back beyond half way. This is a problem because the neutral from the lever is not easy to hit without putting on the brakes. It also prevents the stock parking brake from working. I would prefer if both brake systems could be used, along with the band brake in the transmission if the RM brakes fail for some reason.
Is there an alternate equalizer available that would allow independent operation of the stock parking brake and the RM brakes and not hit the pan? I can make one, but it would be easier to buy one.
Neil
The parking brake rods should be disconnected and dropped to the floor. The hand brake-clutch lever should then be adjusted so that it is at 12:00 o'clock when in neutral.
Then reconnect the rods and adjust the brakes.
See the pictures below. It is more difficult to get them adjusted when you have a Warford installed.
Neil ; I am working on a friend's car with the same problem. I don't understand why they don't make an equalizer a little lower !!
Toon
I believe it was David Sosnoski that had cut the equalizer and welded in some extensions to lower the rods. This is what I been thinking of doing. I bet Roger could find that old thread or maybe someone else. ( wink)
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/204715.html?1302797947
Thanks all.
The solution that David Sosnoski presented in the old discussion is exactly what I was looking for.
Neil
Your cross shaft for the parking brake might be bent. I had one which was bent and it was almost in neutral when the lever was all the way forward. Once you get that shaft straight, then adjust the rocky mountain brakes rods between the equalizer and the rear wheels so that the shaft just touches the equalizer when the lever is in the neutral position. Then pull back the lever and lock the parking brake. The parking brake should come on just about one notch before the Rocky Mountain brake so that you can stop when rolling backward. Next adjust the rod for the foot brake to apply the Rocky Mountain brakes before the transmission brake, but when you press hard on the brake, both sets of brakes are applied.
Norm
Norm,
Not bent. Everything is as designed. All the parts are new or in first class shape. The design is what I don't like. I am going to recommend to Steve that he modify the equalizer to separate the Ford parking brake from the Rocky Mountain brake as David Sosnoski did. That way there is a more positive neutral for the brake lever and the Ford parking brakes can do their job.
Neil
If you shorten up the rods to the rear wheels, you shouldn't have the problem with the equalizer hitting the crankcase. Have you checked the rear motor mounts? Maybe the rear of the crankshaft has dropped?
Norm
I meant crankcase.
Norm
Get rid of the equalizer and convert to cable. Easy to setup and you wont have to fight getting the parking brakes set up.
Norm,
Everything is good on this car. IMO, the equalizer is bad by design. I am going to help Steve build the extensions that David showed us in the old thread.
Neil