MTFCA Forum

I would like to convert my reproduction AC brakes to cables instead of the reproduction Rocky Mountain rods that were already on the car when I changed to the small drum ACs. I do want to retain the emergency brake actuation from the Rocky Mountain system, so I'm figuring to merely replace the swiveling equalizer bar at the transmission end of the assembly with a pulley.

But what about the brake end of the cables? What kind of termination was used? Does anyone have pics or drawings of how the original cables attached to the levers at the brake assemblies?

As a fallback plan, if the period images aren't available, or I don't care for the period solution, I have swaging tools from my sailboat rigging days. Maybe just swage on an adjustable clevis on each end of the cable. That wouldn't have been an option for a typical T era mechanic or a DIY installer, but sailboat standing rigging loads are way higher than anything that occurs in the Model T brake system.

Thanks,
Eric

You can loop the cable into the brake lever hole. Use cable crimp connectors or cable clamps.
There is a common cable piece that is a u channel shaped like a tear drop. That can be used with the cable to protect the cable from wearing in the brake lever hole.

speedytinc wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 08, 2025 2:20 pm

You can loop the cable into the brake lever hole. Use cable crimp connectors or cable clamps.
There is a common cable piece that is a u channel shaped like a tear drop. That can be used with the cable to protect the cable from wearing in the brake lever hole.

Yep, those would be cable thimbles. Does anyone know if they were used in the original AC cable installations?

Some photos of other's installs.

Whether or not thimbles were originally used, failure to use them now would require upping one's life insurance assuming no other stress-free clamping arrangement is provided on the lever on the repro brakes.

FWIW, "improved" AC brakes came with solid steel rods. That ought to suggest something to you (and is covered in another AC post just a few lines down...)

As far as a method to equalize the pull on a cable setup, an early Ford V-8 brake equalizer works very well. These are available from multiple sources but here is a link to one from CW Moss:

https://cwmoss.com/products/hand-brake- ... MmSrAVoQLI