MTFCA Forum

I was recently on the St. Louis Chapter's Fall Tour and after earning the trophy of "First Woman to Drive on a Tour" I also earned the trophy of "Brake Transmission Bands Failing" in addition to the nickname "EXON" for anxiously flooding oil into my '23 touring after "trusting" the sight glass. -NEVER AGAIN-

*I am looking for some -PRE 26 SCANDINAVIA LININGS- to replace my rotted worn out set.
*READY TO BUT ASAP* Trying to make it to the Thanksgiving Parade (early November) knowing the limited availability!
Looking to spend around $40-$50 FOR FULL SET
Message me directly or call/text me at (636) EIGHT FOUR NINE- 8532
-Thank you all for such a supporting community!

I would like to ad this to her post, this is my 30 yr old daughter. She is all in with this “T” thing!
She lost her brake band going downhill and kept her head on straight. She found a spot to exit the road and ended up in someone’s front yard. I was leading the group and didn’t see it, but I was told she handled it like she had practiced it.

Text & email sent

I have no connection to this seller. They have two sets plus other parts for $150 obo
George Schmidt
Elkhorn, Nebraska

Hailey, one thing you'll learn here if you haven't already, is that there's 100's of opinions of "stuff" for these cars. Having experienced the same thing with Scandy's on my current Fordor, personally MY opinion is go with the Kevlar's, just don't adjust 'em too tight, don't "ride" the pedals, and they'll outlive even you young lady! My unedumacated opinion is the heat makes Scandy's deteriorate. With Kevlar it doesn't. Only "concern" with Kevlar is overheating the drums, again, due to poor driving habits and incorrect adjustments, both of which are easily overcome. Just my two cents hon! Good to see a girl driving a Model T!!

Tim - I respectfully disagree regarding your "deteriorate" comment - perhaps a set of original Scandinavia lining that had been stored improperly could become mildew attacked but properly stored, they will last quite a long time - they were factory treated. I don't believe heat breaks down Scandinavia lining - normal driving does. I've run Scandinavia linings for many years in all but one of our T's - Grampa's TT runs wooden lining. I don't recommend Kevlar linings to anyone novice or not I.M.H.O. - I've rebuilt too many transmissions running Kevlar that had broken drums.

When Cantex took over the "Scandinavia" lining product, I believe back in the 70's, they still produced a good product - same weave pattern, just not "treated" as original were - still brown colored. Sometime later, the length was shortened up by approx. 1" (more lengths per roll ?) for a time then the weave changed and they were then treated with an asphalt type substance which we in the hobby referred to as "tar babies" back then - those I cannot recommend.

My apologies for commenting in the Classifieds !

Addendum: I would be happy to send you a couple wide brake linings - original Scandis ! Drop me a note through the Forum.

My apologies - I misread the header - let me look & if John can't supply, I most likely can.

Unprr wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:24 pm

I have no connection to this seller. They have two sets plus other parts for $150 obo
George Schmidt
Elkhorn, Nebraska

Thank you for sending this over! I decided to go with this seller because they are local. Very much appreciated!

I am a very experienced model T driver (60 years) and I drive my car every single day … in a city no less. Lot’s of stop and go driving. Nevertheless I had Kevlar on my brake and after 4000 miles of daily driving it developed a chatter, not matter the adjustment or oil. Eventually I had a brake band break near a rivet for the detachable ear. When I removed the band I discovered the Kevlar lining was very hard. I replaced that with another good band lined with an old NOS cotton Montgomery Wards lining. What a joy, forgot what smooth braking was like. Wish they still made the cotton linings.

Hailey - the correct length for any band lining is 23 & 1/2" !!! Have the seller measure them and don't purchase the "black" colored ones !

No problem Steve...I am always open to thoughts different from mine..thats how we learn. The bands I had came with an engine I replaced on my Fordor to bring it in line with its model year, otherwise I admit I don't have much experience with them so yes I may have been a bit presumptive about them

I still like the Kevlars though! To each his own, right? Thanks.

Anyone know about when the Scandinavia linings started coming out as "tar babies?"

No worries my friend - it's all about educating oneself !

Not positive but I'm guessing late 90's or even later. They are distinctly black and the weave is quite square compared to an original pattern. I'll see what I have for comparisons and get a photo - I have later Cantex that still had the correct weave as original Scandis and I also have some of the "shortened" version - not sure i have any "tar babies".

I Agree wit Steve's comments about Kevlar and the durability of the earlier Scandis. Those who insist that broken drums are due solely to improper installation or driving habits should speak with Loco Larry of the Tin Shed. I saw a large pile of broken drums in his shop he claims were from Kevlar transmissions.

Richard, Larry unfortunately passed away about three years ago.

Ken Buhler wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 27, 2023 3:24 pm

Richard, Larry unfortunately passed away about three years ago.

Larry is alive & well. (Loco Larry) Still has a shop in Whittier.
Yes, Larry has a strong opinion on Kevlar band use.

I have well over 10K miles on a set in one T. Have not had to readjust them since the fisrt 300 miles.
No broken drums, They are great. Engage well with no chatter. Several chums are having the same experience.

Ill be the first to tell you, they are unforgiving. They MUST be properly installed & operated correctly.
I will not install a set for a lesser seasoned (newbie) T driver.
This has been my policy since a customer broke a low drum on a fresh transmission rebuild.

Hi Hailey,
Sorry I don't have any spare bands for sale & after the Kevlar shortage I picked up any bands I could find. Since this has devolved into a forum
discussion I have a question for those that have more experience than I. Having only installed Scandinavia in uninstalled in a car transmissions
( only tested on the run stand ) All of the Scandinavia bands I have installed look like the ones in Steve T's pics. I'm assuming that they are the
better ones to use? ( not the tar babies) does anyone have a pic of the tar babies so we can recognize them if encountered?
Thanks.
Craig.