I am just kicking around ideas for a hand-brake on my '32 Tudor. I've got a floor mounted one mocked up, but I don't really like how it looks. I wondered whether something like a 38/39 Ford handbrake mounted under the dash might be better, but there isn't a lot of room there on a '32. Anyone got any pics of somthing like that ?
I'm totally unfamiliar with the details of a '32 Ford, but would something like the hand brake from a '60-'66 Chevy truck work? It mounts under the dash, is parrallel to the floor, and pulls towards you to set. There's also the '55-'57 Chevy pull-type handle that has a piece of tubing running to the floor. It also bolts to the bottom of the dasy. Just thoughts. -Brad
Looking for a under dash set up for my A. Tried a 40 assembly, the mounting frame was way to long to fit under the dash (gas tank removed). Looking at either the 60s GM truck unit or one from a late 30s early 40s mopar, similar shaped handle to the Ford with a smaller mounting frame.
I've seen the '40 or so style handle cleverly mounted flat under the seat. To engage, it would rotate out from under the seat a bit though.
I used one from a 56 Ford F-100 in my 32 Roadster ... and will do it again in my 32 3W coupe. I had to cut about 1 inch off the end closest to the dash and made a bracket that lays on the dash rail ... works great.
Thanks for the ideas guys. Deuce Roadster - the F100 one sounds promising. Do you have any pics of the setup in your roadster ?
I think the '39 type would work with only a bit of shortening on the part that goes to the firewall; I've also seen '32's with the type of pullout handle brake used on early 1950's Fords--I think those require a little pulley where they go through the wall, whereas the '39 type uses an enclosed cable. I think there's a '39 handle on the garage floor right next to my '32 pickup, if you need a try on!
It is difficult to get a good photo ... with the steering column and the Banjo wheel in the way but here goes ... and the Roadster is a mess ... got caught in the rain Sunday and have not cleaned it up ... so water spots everywhere ...
Are you using the stock cable with that handle? I installed a '46 handle in my '34 truck beside the column like yours. Stock old '46 cable in front with a mopar 8 3/4" rear with stock cables out back. Now, maybe I just need a new front cable, but it won't engage the brakes no matter how I adjust it. The cable just seems to "wrinkle up" from the tension. I see Lokar makes a cable for this setup. I was thinking I'd just spring for that and a pair of their rear cables and be done with it. They are not exactly cheap, though! Any ideas?
I think maybe your old cable outer shell is rotten or broken and so not supporting the inner. It functions as kinda the fulcrum for the inner part. The F-100 one shown is almost identical to a '42-48 one, and I think mechanically the same as the '39, which uses forged parts instead of pressings.
That F-100 one looks a whole lot like a '40 Ford, which looks a whole lot like an F-1 too. I would guess the only real differences in them are the mounting ears, and those can be cut and modified easily. One thing you've got to take note of is the length of pull you will get. Will it be enough for the brakes you are using? I can tell you a '40 handle will correctly pull a banjo brake set. But will it work on a 9" or something else? The F-1 I just stripped out had a funky cable-to-cable lever setup mounted on a frame crossmember. Not sure if it just changed the direction of the pull, or if it also changed the ratio.
Thanks heaps - that is just what I was looking for. Looks good and doesn't take up any foot room. The handle looks the same as my '38 Ford one, but as Bruce says the earlier ones have cast mounts that would be harder to modify. That one is working fine with the brakes on an 8" rear, and I have the same brakes on the 9" in my '32.
That's what I was thinking, but I didn't wanna spring for a repop, have the same problem, and then have to buy the lokar ones after all. Thanks, Bruce!
I have one of the 42-48 style handle only no cable, anybody can have it for the shipping. Send me a PM. Dick
I used one from a 55 Olds. Chrome handle and you pull it out. You have to run a lever deal under the car to increase the force cause you can't pull hard enough. It was installed in 69 and still works fine. Pics if interested.
Terrarodder - thanks for the offer but shipping would kill it for me. I should be able to find one locally. Clark & Andy - not sure about the pull-out style, but it's good to know there is room for one. Thanks.
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