Whos still running drum brakes?
- Thread starter Kaycee
- Start date
Still running drums. Finally had to adjust brakes now after racing for 6 years or so. I don't go that fast. I would have no need for disc brakes on a street car.
I've rarely had good luck with drums. My 60 Impala sucked with drums. On the other hand my 65 GTO has drum brakes and they're the bomb. Couldn't tell you the difference? I have a Massey Ferguson 135 UK model with drums, almost killed me more than once. Truth be told it's probably my lack of knowledge that's the problem. 60 Impala has Wilwoods on all four corners now. At the strip a little puff of white smoke and they will haul you down in a hurry. GTO drums will lock up with very little pedal pressure . Over the years a lot of the cars have mismatched brake wheel cylinder bore size with the master cylinder bore size. Need a good "Old" brake guy.
Yeah, at 117 mph you could run beside the car and keep it in your lane by tapping it back and forth with a stick.
I have never put disc brakes on any thing that had drum oruginally.. I can lock up the brakes at will and they are not even power ,so why put disc on. Yeah I know disc won't fade out when used extensively ,but I don't drive that way.Since I have done brakes for 40 years I guess I am experienced enough to get them right.
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The 1962 Impala SS has accumulated 12,000 miles with drum/drum but I am considering discs up front on her sometime in the future.
We did replumb for a dual master a long time ago.
We did replumb for a dual master a long time ago.
All 4 of my impala's have original drums on all 4 corners. My friends laugh at me because I like all my stuff stock.
I have power drum brakes on my '62 and would never consider changing them. They stop the car just fine. I'm sure disc brakes are nice, but I haven't seen anything conclusive to say they are better, unless in a lot of stop and go traffic where they might be superior to drum brakes, because of fading. I get involved in little to none of that type of driving, Carmine.
Drum brakes here too. I never had a reason to swap for disc brakes.
I Don't, drive my 64, that much, when nice weather comes. 
Maybe a few hundred miles. Being that it spends, most of it's life, in the garage, it goes through constant HOT/COLD cycle's, with high Humidity. That being said, I had many problem's with my brake shoe's, and wheel cylinder's
Put the car away, one time. It was stopping OK. Following year, brought it out, and Driver's side shoe, was locked to the drum.
Finally had enough, and replaced the shoe's, wheel cylinders, brake hardware etc. Took my drums, to my son's old job, and he turned them.
Put it all back together, and still did not stop straight.
Nothing worse, than driving a car that pulls, when the brakes are applied.
Bought a Disk Brake set, from 58 Delivery, and I have never regretted it. Mike sells a Great Kit. Thanks Mike.
Maybe a few hundred miles. Being that it spends, most of it's life, in the garage, it goes through constant HOT/COLD cycle's, with high Humidity. That being said, I had many problem's with my brake shoe's, and wheel cylinder's Put the car away, one time. It was stopping OK. Following year, brought it out, and Driver's side shoe, was locked to the drum.Finally had enough, and replaced the shoe's, wheel cylinders, brake hardware etc. Took my drums, to my son's old job, and he turned them. Put it all back together, and still did not stop straight.Nothing worse, than driving a car that pulls, when the brakes are applied. Bought a Disk Brake set, from 58 Delivery, and I have never regretted it. Mike sells a Great Kit. Thanks Mike.
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Man, you guys with drums must live in rural areas. Here around Chicago I would at least want front discs. People drive like morons............and there is a lot of them! I have discs on the drag car with pretty aggressive pads. The bad thing is after 5 runs the wheels are filthy. the good thing is it pulls it down in a hurry. They must take some abuse because the rotors are blue.
We have drum on the race car.....but it's not that fast.
I would like to upgrade to disc if it didn't add weight to the front of the car.
I would like to upgrade to disc if it didn't add weight to the front of the car.