Posted by winget on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 at 10:17AM :
Ok, a little more than $18 with the plumbing and scrap metal, electricity to weld/grind, but Cheap...
I took a 1978 Corvette ($18.00 BRAND NEW without a core needed at Autozone) Dual circuit MANUAL disc brake master cylinder (Why a Vette would ever come with Manual brakes is another story, but I guess it's for racing?...)
Took some 2" thickwall square stock (same size as used on Truck receiver hitch inserts) Welded a three hole flange plate to one end, and a two hole flange plate to the other end with an ever-so-slight angle out and UP! to keep her away from the frame/steering box and level. (Important note here!!!!!)
Bolted the Vette master to one end, the other to the existing master pattern on the Dodge. Plumbed a NEW front line to the rear output, and a new short line to the existing "T" for the lines. I capped off the old "front" ouptput hole on the "T" fitting, then finally used an old MAG wheel lug bolt (Used a LONG one and the sides are porportionally long for adjustment) and a 1/2" round stock (cut to exacting length modification) for an extension rod, tapered at the front end to fit the new master.
Don't get me wrong, Ray's kits are likely superior in braking ability, but I wanted something that could be undone in the future if desired (Why I would never know) have reliability, simplicity (no vacuum hoses to run) Still be able to fill from the top without removing a floor board, etc. (fits right behind the massive 12 Volt original Generator) and I'm above all c h e a p...
It works, and I figured I needed it with my personal Pre-Hellitool Disc brake Modification I made. That, and the 4:30 (yes, not 4:89's) differentials which allow me to hit 62mph before the tire im-ballance shimmy scares me too much.
Although I've yet to LOCK up all the tires, I have a reliable/simple dual circuit now. I think changing back to Dot 4 would assist, as the Dot 5 silicone stuff seems spongy, and the brakes kind of merely bring it to a halt, not skidding type stop (can't lock them up no matter how hard I tried, and I would rather know they CAN panic stop)
I did NOT add a Proportioning valve (Really debated for a long time) and she seems to stop straight without the rears locking up first. If changing the fluid changes this, I could add one from a Hotrod Magazine Advertiser down the line, but I doubt I need to.
If your interested in the Mod, the pics are below, I scanned them enmass, and couldn't locate the seperate pics. It's easier on posting them to MY web page this way anyway. I'll leave them up for a few months.
Feel free to contact me.
Merry Christmas
Winget
1942 WC56 (With Winch /4 Discs /Dual master / 4:30's)
PS: This modification likely has/ will save a Rice Rocket that has/ or enevitably WILL cut me off by passing me, then turning right, etc. You've been there, and it's only seeming to get worse, not better as more careless drivers are on the road. WAW
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