MTFCA Forum

We live in mountains in western North Carolina. I have been considering installing a set of A/C brakes in our possession, but have a question of those who use them. While the idea of external brakes seems appealing given locally steep terrain, I have also read that they aren't great when wet. Our local rainfall averages about 70 inches a year (it rains almost every day in summer) so wet brakes is going to be a given. Seeking opinions on the better braking versus wet conundrum. I am not enamoured of disc brakes, just ruins the Model T look. I have been driving a 1912 with standard Model T tranny band brakes for six years, no real problems to date, just thinking about what might happen.

Loftfield wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 01, 2024 7:43 am

We live in mountains in western North Carolina. I have been considering installing a set of A/C brakes in our possession, but have a question of those who use them. While the idea of external brakes seems appealing given locally steep terrain, I have also read that they aren't great when wet. Our local rainfall averages about 70 inches a year (it rains almost every day in summer) so wet brakes is going to be a given. Seeking opinions on the better braking versus wet conundrum. I am not enamoured of disc brakes, just ruins the Model T look. I have been driving a 1912 with standard Model T tranny band brakes for six years, no real problems to date, just thinking about what might happen.

I have RM's, which of course share the same issue. I found that "riding them" a bit (not constantly of course) when they get wet helps, and of course keeping my left hand close to the "emergency/parking brake" handle too! If you have your equalizing set up "properly" super firm pushing on brake pedal will also activate some of your stock trans. drum brake also, helping you to stop the car.

Don’t know about using them in the wet, but I have got mine all installed now and they seem unwilling to stop the car quickly, but are improving. I suspect they have a bedding in period. I came up with a weird rods and pivot equalizer and direct attachment to brake pedal method because I am ‘different’.

Anyway at the very least, having three different braking methods all separate from each other gives me piece of mind. I did see a Ford here in the UK where someone had put on Suzuki GSXR motorbike brakes with 4 pot calipers on the front wheels. I suspect that set up must work well and looked quite easy to install too. They had also put hydraulic pistons on the rear brakes too. Of course now the tyres must be the weak link…

Keep the 3 brake systems all adjusted to work separately. I set my internal brake to grab just after the rockey's in a hard stop. Outside brakes fail when wet. Thats when you find out the other 2 brake systems were out of adjustment. I learned this the hard way. If your brake drums still had/have paint, they wont work well either.

I have both AC and Rocky Mtns on some of my cars and the AC brakes are not as effective as the Rocky Mtn. Brakes no matter what I do. I think it is because of the smaller drum and the fact that they do not seem to self actuate the way the others do.. I have all 3 systems set up to operate so I feel they are adequate but going forward I will stick with Rocky Mtn brakes. Neither of them are great in the rain.

I have a period external small drum brake setup on my 14 roadster. I have the inside brake work WITH the external brakes.
Very effective. I can lock the wheels.

I have some home copied A-C brakes on our speedster ( look & act just like the originals ) two years ago on a tour we left a gathering place just
before a torrential down pour, Everyone else ended the tour at that time because of the rain & we did not know this & kept going. I was
surprised at how well the A-C brakes did work as I tested them every time I thought I would need them & when I did they stopped me. I have
not found that performance with R-M brakes. Keep in mind the R-M brakes have composite lining & the A-C's have woven linings. This may be
important in this equation. Has anyone else found this to be true. As far as rain is concerned the park brake will suffer the same as the outside
brakes will just because of the design. Disc brakes like them or not have the advantage when it comes to water but just having rear wheel brakes
is still the weak point in the equation.
Craig.

You're right to stick with the traditional style; I own a Model T as well. Although they perform poorly in damp weather, A/C brakes can manage steep terrain. In light of your recent severe downpour, you may want to consider the advantages of the more stopping power versus the possible problems with wet brakes. Using the conventional tranny band brakes might be your best option if you're not experiencing any serious problems right now.

Thanks to all for sharing experiences with external brakes. Seems I will be sticking with what Mr. Ford gave us.

You say you already have them?? I would not hesitate to go ahead and insall them. The AC are a good system especially for an early car. One thing you need to consider just as much a rain once in awhile is the ADDED Safety factor!! If you should break anything from the end of the crankshaft to the rear wheel You will Not have much braking except maybe your parking brake If you remember to pull that. The AC's will reduce the wear opn your tranny brake also..
I didn't see if you have an aux tranny like a Warford or Ruxtel. Good Luck