Performance drum brakes
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V6 Member
Joined: September 11, 2011
Posts: 66
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From: UK
Performance drum brakes
I'm looking to replace the brakes on my 66 coupe 289. It still has the original drum brakes. I have replaced all the brake lines so far as the previous idiot had cut them with a hacksaw. i have replacement hardware kit all round, obviously to be safe I want brand new cylinders and shoes. What are the best shoes to get for stopping power and reduced brake fade. I have the brake booster installed with a single resovoir.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
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Joined: February 2, 2004
Posts: 7,648
Likes: 675
From: Insane
*Note: I'mma go garrulous, sorry. Just wanna be sure I cover the bases, and I type pretty quick, so... yeah, words, man, words. 
---
I can't find anything in any parts store website that is much better than the Wagner ones, and... well, I probably wouldn't get them myself. Drum brakes aren't very good in general, as compared to disc... they're ok, but they fade bad and retain heat, moisture... so regular stock-like shoes are probably the best you can expect, and they have those lyin' around the shelves here in the US... And what is on the shelf isn't the cheapest, but the mid-range shoes. Can't tell in the descriptions what the difference is though.
As far as improvements, the friction material is the key. Nothing else matters on the brakes. That'd be the rotor and pads on the disc setup, so the same would hold true as a general rule for the drum and shoes. Your biggest problem is heat and moisture on the drum, as they tend to stick inside those kinds of brakes. Disc dissapates heat and moisture better.
But the friction material is the thing, again, so what's the better stuff to use on the disc brakes? Probably stock rotors, freshly turned, and an upgrade on the pads. So do that for the drums, and that'd be the best you can do.
---
You probably know this, and have decided not to, but to me, best route is find a junk '74-90(?) Granada, Monarch, or Versaille and get the "spindles out" disc brakes, they literally bolt right on a v8 suspension '66. Get a proportioning valve and adjust as needed, and you got a good brake setup...
However, those donor parts are probably pretty rare to go find... and probably doubly so in the UK, so... the next best thing is a kit, and there are a couple around. SSBC are the ones though. It's a buy it, install it, and you're done thing:
http://ssbrakes.com/i-10092828-disc-...only-pair.html as an example. You'd still want a proportioning valve... don't wanna lock up the rears..
They also make full 4 wheel kits and booster kits with dual resevoirs and all that stuff...
There are also front brake only conversion kits on ebay for less than $500 that seem to be a decent thing, but I wouldn't have any actual proof they're good or not.
And here's a good read on the subject:
http://www.edmunds.com/car-technolog...m-vs-disc.html
And I'm sure you've considered that, but I hadda say it, 'cause that's what I do... talk too much.
Good luck to ya!
---
I can't find anything in any parts store website that is much better than the Wagner ones, and... well, I probably wouldn't get them myself. Drum brakes aren't very good in general, as compared to disc... they're ok, but they fade bad and retain heat, moisture... so regular stock-like shoes are probably the best you can expect, and they have those lyin' around the shelves here in the US... And what is on the shelf isn't the cheapest, but the mid-range shoes. Can't tell in the descriptions what the difference is though.
As far as improvements, the friction material is the key. Nothing else matters on the brakes. That'd be the rotor and pads on the disc setup, so the same would hold true as a general rule for the drum and shoes. Your biggest problem is heat and moisture on the drum, as they tend to stick inside those kinds of brakes. Disc dissapates heat and moisture better.
But the friction material is the thing, again, so what's the better stuff to use on the disc brakes? Probably stock rotors, freshly turned, and an upgrade on the pads. So do that for the drums, and that'd be the best you can do.
---
You probably know this, and have decided not to, but to me, best route is find a junk '74-90(?) Granada, Monarch, or Versaille and get the "spindles out" disc brakes, they literally bolt right on a v8 suspension '66. Get a proportioning valve and adjust as needed, and you got a good brake setup...
However, those donor parts are probably pretty rare to go find... and probably doubly so in the UK, so... the next best thing is a kit, and there are a couple around. SSBC are the ones though. It's a buy it, install it, and you're done thing:
http://ssbrakes.com/i-10092828-disc-...only-pair.html as an example. You'd still want a proportioning valve... don't wanna lock up the rears..
They also make full 4 wheel kits and booster kits with dual resevoirs and all that stuff...
There are also front brake only conversion kits on ebay for less than $500 that seem to be a decent thing, but I wouldn't have any actual proof they're good or not.
And here's a good read on the subject:
http://www.edmunds.com/car-technolog...m-vs-disc.html
And I'm sure you've considered that, but I hadda say it, 'cause that's what I do... talk too much.
Good luck to ya!
Last edited by houtex; Jan 10, 2013 at 09:22 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: September 11, 2011
Posts: 66
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From: UK
That's what I call a response :-)
Thanks for all that, the drums are gonna be on there for now so I can at least enjoy it. Discs I expect will go on later as you say. As I have a budget disc upgrade would stop other more important essentials that I need, possible leaf springs and rear shocks etc.
Your right people do seem to rave about the Wagner ones. You would have thought with today's technology they would have thought of alternatives if the same design that work. The car won't see a drop of rain and will only come out for a weekend drive for enjoyment and that ultimate style show off, especially for all the little boy racers who think they have something good when their sound system outperforms their cars! If you get my drift. Thanks for the response, very helpful and appreciate it. As a record if my progress I have started a blog which has started to grow with the number of visitors. If you wanted to check it out look for http://onemaneandhismustang.com/
Apologies for the plug but I get asked have I any photos which prompted the blog. All the photo s I have are now on their. Any hints or tips are ALWAYS welcome especially if I am doing something wrong.
All the best.
Thanks for all that, the drums are gonna be on there for now so I can at least enjoy it. Discs I expect will go on later as you say. As I have a budget disc upgrade would stop other more important essentials that I need, possible leaf springs and rear shocks etc.
Your right people do seem to rave about the Wagner ones. You would have thought with today's technology they would have thought of alternatives if the same design that work. The car won't see a drop of rain and will only come out for a weekend drive for enjoyment and that ultimate style show off, especially for all the little boy racers who think they have something good when their sound system outperforms their cars! If you get my drift. Thanks for the response, very helpful and appreciate it. As a record if my progress I have started a blog which has started to grow with the number of visitors. If you wanted to check it out look for http://onemaneandhismustang.com/
Apologies for the plug but I get asked have I any photos which prompted the blog. All the photo s I have are now on their. Any hints or tips are ALWAYS welcome especially if I am doing something wrong.
All the best.
Post *****
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 18,616
Likes: 3
From: Berkeley/Redwood City, CA
How big are the stock drums on your car? Mustang IIs/rangers/othercarstoo also used the 8" axle (correct me if thats not what you have..) and some had 11" drums in the rear that might be a cheap upgrade. Not sure if thats actually a doable sort of thing, but might be worth looking into 
Last edited by future9er24; Jan 17, 2013 at 01:10 PM.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: February 2, 2004
Posts: 7,648
Likes: 675
From: Insane
Indeed, that's a great idea.
The thing about the drums is the heat retention, overall, and that's what makes them lesser than disc in the front. Back isn't as big of a concern.
Bigger fronts would definitely be an improvement if you can fit 'em, but... sounds like it's gonna be whatever is stock.
And as such, except seriously abrasive (read: kill drums) there's not much to be improved on the drum shoes. They kinda are what they are.
Having said that, I had stock drums on all four of my corners for the same reason: Budget. I didn't have the power booster though on my I6 Muskrat coupe, but she stopped reasonably well enough... Nothing like today's cars, but if you understood that and drove with that in mind, it wasn't a problem... With a booster, it'll be an easier time of it.
By the way, I'm not a Wagner spouting person... On my car, I just bought the reasonable priced Advanced Auto Parts brand brake pads when I did my last brake job on Awesome, plus a rotor (I let the right rear go on too long and it got et.
). She stops just fine, and I ain't worried about them things. But for your car, the only 'upgrades' were Wagners, which were more expensive and I didn't see the point, myself... but I thought I'd mention them. Wagners are highly regarded by some, true.
I say go stock, and you'll be ok. Good luck, again, to ya!
The thing about the drums is the heat retention, overall, and that's what makes them lesser than disc in the front. Back isn't as big of a concern.
Bigger fronts would definitely be an improvement if you can fit 'em, but... sounds like it's gonna be whatever is stock.
And as such, except seriously abrasive (read: kill drums) there's not much to be improved on the drum shoes. They kinda are what they are.
Having said that, I had stock drums on all four of my corners for the same reason: Budget. I didn't have the power booster though on my I6 Muskrat coupe, but she stopped reasonably well enough... Nothing like today's cars, but if you understood that and drove with that in mind, it wasn't a problem... With a booster, it'll be an easier time of it.
By the way, I'm not a Wagner spouting person... On my car, I just bought the reasonable priced Advanced Auto Parts brand brake pads when I did my last brake job on Awesome, plus a rotor (I let the right rear go on too long and it got et.
). She stops just fine, and I ain't worried about them things. But for your car, the only 'upgrades' were Wagners, which were more expensive and I didn't see the point, myself... but I thought I'd mention them. Wagners are highly regarded by some, true.I say go stock, and you'll be ok. Good luck, again, to ya!
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Joined: January 14, 2013
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I just got my SSBC kit put on my 67 and I love it, got them all the way around with red calippers ( front ones are huge) I'm not gonna lie they are a bit expensive but upgrades like this are definitely worth it, now I'm not afraid to brake on the highway @ 70 mph. And wonder what direction my car will divert
Thread Starter
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Joined: September 11, 2011
Posts: 66
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From: UK
Those calipers look cool. I fully understand the importance of the braking with discs. Until I can afford it it will be drums for now. A project after she is running i expect. I allowed extra length on the replaced brake lines especially for that reason in case I had to move them.
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Joined: September 11, 2011
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From: UK
The expensive parts were the flexi hoses and fittings about £75 2 fronts and rear axle. The copper pipe was £10 roll that done the whole car. Brake spanner £5 and blue point double flaring tool £60. So not to bad. For Christmas I got the wagner hardware replacement kits for all wheels. And I want new cylinders for each wheel and pads all round. Waiting for a quotes on those. Once they are in I know everything is new up to the booster. Then I can fill it and see if that is all ok. Hope that sort of helps. Is there anything I should know when doin all this?
Parts in the UK are stupid money compared to USA. If you wanted to see my car its all on my blog and some of the tools I use too. Its not a massive plug but I would love feedback on what I do or any advice is very much appreciated. Google search "onemanandhismustang.com" I should be top search. I am pretty new still to all of this and thanks for all the help on here I have had some good advice.
Parts in the UK are stupid money compared to USA. If you wanted to see my car its all on my blog and some of the tools I use too. Its not a massive plug but I would love feedback on what I do or any advice is very much appreciated. Google search "onemanandhismustang.com" I should be top search. I am pretty new still to all of this and thanks for all the help on here I have had some good advice.
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