Transmission band as a parking brake?

[Bugman]

Hey all-
My '55 Ply has a band style parking brake on the back of the trans. The band it's self is completely shot. I'm having difficulty finding a new one. Suppose I could make an automatic transmission band work? All it has to do is hold the car in place, it doesn't need to do any stopping, plus I have lots of them laying around. What do you think?

-Jeff

[DrJ]

If you can make it work you can make it work but do you have vehicle inspections there and will it pass?
That's the only hold up I could see.

[Bugman]

Nope, no inspections here. I did get stopped once and the officer asked me if I had a parking brake(although I have no idea why). I pulled the lever out and it clicked like it's supposed to and he was happy. It's really just hooked to a spring under the car, so it seems like it works when demonstrated(also keeps the cable from bouncing off the ground).

Good point about the inspections though. If ever I do need to get the car inspected, how would they know that's not a factory stock band? They look awfully similar, especially covered in road grime.

-Jeff

[Rocky]

Jeff.....if it doesn't work out for you, send it to me and I gotta guy that owns a clutch/brake shop that will reline it. Can't give you a price without seeing it but the guy treats me fairly.
You might check with your local clutch/brake shops too. That's what they do for a living.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I have a freshly machined drum and a newly re-lined band from a mid-40's Dodge pickup....similar setup. Do you suppose it will interchange ?

[Bugman]

Rocky-
The band is rusted to pieces too.

JS-
It might. When I get home I'll get some measurments and try to get a referance pic to post.

-Jeff

[Bugman]

Here's a bad pic of my band. It's not as rusty as I thought. It fits around a 6" drum. I'm going to try gluing/riviting a trans band onto it today and see what happens. Can't be any worse than not having on at all.

-Jeff

[DrJ]

Take it or go to a brake shop and see if they can glue the right stuff on it!
Actually if you have a "real" parts store in town they should have lining available