In need of Help..

[Space Coast Rodder]

I bought my T just about 3 weeks ago & have been slowly going through everything to make it "mine".. I'm stuck at the moment with the brakes.. It has a 9" Ford rear with drums & discs on the front.. The brake pedal is really hard with pretty poor stopping power.. Everything seems to be working correctly but it doesn't stop well.. Where should I start with this.. ?? Also, I'm thinking of converting the rears to disc. Is this a good idea ??

 

[2old2fast]

Putting discs on the rear may actual!y decrease your brake performance , you're going to have to figure out what parts are on there now.. pictures so we can help .. think of ten words , make ten separate 1 word posts ,then you!l be able to post pics ...

 

[AusBucket]

Sounds like it has a master Cyl from a boosted system on it. An unboosted system should have 6-1, or better still, 7-1 ratio on the pedal. I would start with a smaller bore Master Cyl (drop the bore size by at least 1/8")
Regards,

 

[Space Coast Rodder]

Putting discs on the rear may actual!y decrease your brake performance , you're going to have to figure out what parts are on there now.. pictures so we can help .. think of ten words , make ten separate 1 word posts ,then you!l be able to post pics ...

I'll get some pictures posted tomorrow.. I think at some point I'm going to just strip everything off & rebuild.. I'd just like to get better stopping power first in case that doesn't help..

 

[Space Coast Rodder]

Sounds like it has a master Cyl from a boosted system on it. An unboosted system should have 6-1, or better still, 7-1 ratio on the pedal. I would start with a smaller bore Master Cyl (drop the bore size by at least 1/8")
Regards,

Would you have any idea what a good bore size would be ?

 

[Space Coast Rodder]

Putting discs on the rear may actual!y decrease your brake performance ,

So if I did go for discs on the rear would I need to replace the master cylinder & add a booster ? Thinking about the comment from AusBucket I may have to change the master anyway...

 

[Spanky]

The critical things are MC bore size (1 inch or less) and pedal ratio (6 to 1 or greater).

 

[HenrysT]

First, I would identify each part (make, manufacturer, model, etc.) see if it's in mechanical working condition. Sometimes the M/C is installed wrong, ie, the linkage between the pedal and the M/C is to tight and not allowing the piston in the M/C to return to normal. There should be a little free play in the linkage at rest, if there is a spring there, make sure that it's not to heavy and pulling on the the pedal, in turn pulling on the M/C.
Did you try a pressure test at all four corners?

 

[Space Coast Rodder]

First, I would identify each part (make, manufacturer, model, etc.) see if it's in mechanical working condition. Sometimes the M/C is installed wrong, ie, the linkage between the pedal and the M/C is to tight and not allowing the piston in the M/C to return to normal. There should be a little free play in the linkage at rest, if there is a spring there, make sure that it's not to heavy and pulling on the the pedal, in turn pulling on the M/C.
Did you try a pressure test at all four corners?

I'm going to take things apart this weekend to try & identify it all.. The only thing I've done up to now is test to make sure each corner is working.. I figured I would ask for advice before I started tearing it all apart to hopefully do all this just once.. I like the idea of a pressure test on each corner as a starting point.. Also, I didn't mention that although the stopping power is poor the car does at least stop in a straight line...

 

[HenrysT]

You can also check that the pedal has full movement and it isn't stopped by the floor slot, if it's floor mounted (at rest and "to the floor") The M/C should be the limiting factor.

 

[fletcherson]

I wouldn’t recommend changing any major components until you figure out why your current system isn’t working right. Just another variable. Front disc and rear drums should be plenty if working correctly. Just go through the current system and inspect everything until you identify the problem, then decide what to do... either repair it or replace the system. Changing the drums to disc will require different master cylinder, proportioning valve, maybe residual pressure valves. It will be a fairly pricey swap. I would look at what master is recommended by companies that sell kits, like speedway, our sponsors, wilwood, etc and find a comparable one. You never know what parts were used by whoever built it.

 

[Space Coast Rodder]

You can also check that the pedal has full movement and it isn't stopped by the floor slot, if it's floor mounted (at rest and "to the floor") The M/C should be the limiting factor.

The pedal does have full movement but I haven't checked the ratio yet.. Had to quit early today, pretty sure I have this flu that's going around..

 

[Space Coast Rodder]

I wouldn’t recommend changing any major components until you figure out why your current system isn’t working right. Just another variable. Front disc and rear drums should be plenty if working correctly. Just go through the current system and inspect everything until you identify the problem, then decide what to do... either repair it or replace the system. Changing the drums to disc will require different master cylinder, proportioning valve, maybe residual pressure valves. It will be a fairly pricey swap. I would look at what master is recommended by companies that sell kits, like speedway, our sponsors, wilwood, etc and find a comparable one. You never know what parts were used by whoever built it.

I certainly won't change anything at this point. The thing is, I also don't want to change things out to get this system working only to find that I need to change again for the conversion... You are correct in saying I have no clue about the parts used so I'm going to try & post pics of what I have & maybe someone can help me identify everything.. Also I can't find a proportioning valve anywhere, should my set up have one installed ? My problem is also compounded with the fact that I'm a Brit now living in Florida & have little experience with American cars & parts.. Many thanks to everyone for the help..Hope I can now post pics..

 

[Space Coast Rodder]

Apparently I still can't post pics......

 

[Spanky]

Apparently I still can't post pics......

What happens when you try?

 

[Space Coast Rodder]

What happens when you try?

It asks me to insert picture URL..

 

[Space Coast Rodder]

So I found the Photo upload instructions in The Lounge.. I'll work on figuring it all out while the bacon is cooking.. I'm told it's national bacon day today so I had to partake. I also seem to partake if any particular day ends in a Y...

 

[Space Coast Rodder]

Ok here we go.. if this works these are some of the pics of my brakes.. Can anyone help me identify ?

 

[Neshkoro]

The spring is on backwards on the adjuster. The coil should be on top of the star wheel.
That's all I know.

 

[choppedtop]

Looks like the self adjuster is missing. Should look something like this.