40 Ford brakes OK or do I need to upgrade?

I picked up a 40 Ford Deluxe coupe that has been sitting for over 45 years. I was going to go through the brakes by replacing the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, lines and shoes with new made in the USA parts. I was told that even new parts they still wont stop very good and that I should upgrade them. Is this a must? I plan on running a stock flathead and drive it quite a bit taking it to car shows and around town. I am trying to keep this a budget build somewhat but I am finding out that is hard to do! Please give me your thoughts and experience. Thanks!

 

Wife's tale. Did this person also tell you to not use bias tires? With new parts and properly adjusted they will work fine.

 

Stock '40 brakes will put you through the windshield. A lot depends on how radical you drive.

 

My stock brakes stop mine just fine, Please don't go the disc brake radial tire route!

 

The 40 brakes I rebuilt on the T would stop you as hard as you wanted.

 

For them to work their best, do a clean up turn on the drums and have the new shoes arc'd to match the drums for full contact. Also, adjust per Ford service bulletin, the bottom adjuster is for centering the shoes, not for shoe clearance, a common mistake.

 

Thank you guys, that is what I wanted to hear. Any reccomendations from where to buy the parts? I was looking at Macs, they seem to have decent prices.

 

Try Joblot in N.Y.

 

yup stick to the stock stuff and you'll be fine

 

'40 Ford juicers are an upgrade for most anything older.

 

The ONLY upgrade that makes any sense on this car are LINCOLN Self Energizing Brakes.

Never Listen to a Street Rodder !!

 

amen!

 

I actually think that was what he was talking about. I am going to stick with the stock 40 brakes.

 

Drum brakes are the best, and you don't have to explain to you folks that you're gay.

 

Stock stuff is what it should have, adjusted and in good condition. Also nice to hear that your staying with the flat head.

 

+1 for keeping them stock.

 

Never Listen to a Street Rodder !! [/QUOTE]


Pure gold!

 

I ran stock brakes on my forty until I just sold the car and they worked fine.

 

I had a problem with the drums I had from Mac.They needed to be turned when I got them.But after that they have been fine.

 

ALL NEW drums should be put on a brake lathe and turned !! They get knocked out of round from handling and sometimes from having the studs pressed in. A true ,round drum makes for good brakes.

 

rebuilt them and you should be good to go, hell they worked back in the day so why not now

 

I use them, and they work just fine!