manuel brakes
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: lexington north carolina
manuel brakes
Hello All ; Just a question here. Guess Ive never had a car with nonpower brakes1 I have a good firm pedal about an inch or so travel completely new brake system thru-out . My question is do you have to depress pretty hard to get a vette to stop or do i hv a problem ???
ANY INPUT IS APPRECIATED
OLEYELLAR72
ANY INPUT IS APPRECIATED
OLEYELLAR72
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
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2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
All depends on how fast you are going and how much room you have to stop.....
I learned to drive with manual (not Manuel - a latin name) brakes back in the mid 60s. The first time I drove a car with power brakes I damn near knocked my teeth out on the steering wheel....
Either way takes some getting used to.
I learned to drive with manual (not Manuel - a latin name) brakes back in the mid 60s. The first time I drove a car with power brakes I damn near knocked my teeth out on the steering wheel....
Either way takes some getting used to.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
From: Pioneer California
Hello All ; Just a question here. Guess Ive never had a car with nonpower brakes1 I have a good firm pedal about an inch or so travel completely new brake system thru-out . My question is do you have to depress pretty hard to get a vette to stop or do i hv a problem ???
ANY INPUT IS APPRECIATED
OLEYELLAR72
ANY INPUT IS APPRECIATED
OLEYELLAR72
John
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
I find on a regular basis when people say they can't stop a manual brake car the master cylinder turns out to be one for a "power" brake car. The master for a standard brake car has a smaller piston than a power brake car-makes a huge difference.
standard piston size is 1"
power piston size is 1 1/8"
standard piston size is 1"
power piston size is 1 1/8"
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 58
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From: lexington north carolina
Ok Thanks all for the reply's and my spelling correction Ha! Ha! Ha! I'll take note of manual spelling and purchase a Funk and Wagnal YOU WERE VERY HELPFUL and WHEN I finish my complete rebuild I'LL DROVE IT LIKE I STOLE IT.... AGAIN THANKYOU
OLEYELLAR72
OLEYELLAR72
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 575
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From: Tampa / Ft. Myers FL
I find on a regular basis when people say they can't stop a manual brake car the master cylinder turns out to be one for a "power" brake car. The master for a standard brake car has a smaller piston than a power brake car-makes a huge difference.
standard piston size is 1"
power piston size is 1 1/8"
standard piston size is 1"
power piston size is 1 1/8"
Last edited by MyRed69; Nov 18, 2010 at 09:43 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
My BOSS has a '69 LTD 429 fastback that belonged to his father. Four wheel non-power drums. I restored total brake system and car would not stop worth a crap. The guys at work said, Well you must have missed something. I said BS. Went to the salvage yard and got Power system off '69 four door small block LTD. Restored booster and got proper MC. Brakes will now put you through the windshield. No change to drums. Totally different car with power. Moral to story, MANUEL can not compare to POWER. mike...
Last edited by mds3013; Nov 18, 2010 at 11:19 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
I learned to drive on manual brakes and autcrossed on them (and manual steering). I would have no problem locking them up if I tried. I think you can "feel" them better and it's easier to avoid locking them. Much better feedback.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 373
Likes: 2
my brakes do suck
My 72 with manual brakes never has stopped the way I would expect it to stop with with 4 wheel disc brakes even after I replaced everything. I never felt confident that I could stop fast enough if someone in front of me slammed on their brakes. Even if I planted both feet on the pedal!!! I have been told that is the way they are. I have since upgraded to power brakes using the proper master cylinder and Booster that is correct for my 72. I might say that it stops a whole lot better now and has given me some of the confidence back, should have done it a long time ago.
John
John
to have power brakes...I have a 70 vette... brakes do suck and the calipers and pads are new.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Manuel brakes were roughly 2/3 `s of the production or invitingly only 1/3 rd. of the Corvettes were ordered with power brakes. So there was a lot of no power Vettes at least in the first few years....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
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From: Peekskill NY
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
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From: Blanco County, TX
I'm afraid not. Your lines probably won't reach, especially the rear line. I suppose you might be able to re-bend them, assuming you are OK with bending 40 year old brake lines. That, and the master for PB has a different sized bore.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
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From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Buttom Line : If this is your only car, or if all of your cars has manual brakes, then you just have to get used to it and in few weeks you'll feel it to be just fine. If you drive another car with power brakes beside your 'vette, then don't waste anytime and convert it to power brakes before your get involved in an accident, I'm saying that because I, too, was in the same situation and my other car has power brakes and I was involved in a small accident (thanfully the 'vette was unharmed, I was SO lucky!) all because of the manual brakes. Jumping between two cars with different brake pedal efforts will confuse you to the h*ll!
Make no mistake, power brakes will stop your car better, forget about "feeling" the brakes and all that "racing" stuff, you need power brakes to get your car stopped comfortably. The best way is to get a hydroboost kit.
Make no mistake, power brakes will stop your car better, forget about "feeling" the brakes and all that "racing" stuff, you need power brakes to get your car stopped comfortably. The best way is to get a hydroboost kit.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
From: Pioneer California
Hopes this helps.
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
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From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
Buttom Line : If this is your only car, or if all of your cars has manual brakes, then you just have to get used to it and in few weeks you'll feel it to be just fine. If you drive another car with power brakes beside your 'vette, then don't waste anytime and convert it to power brakes before your get involved in an accident, I'm saying that because I, too, was in the same situation and my other car has power brakes and I was involved in a small accident (thanfully the 'vette was unharmed, I was SO lucky!) all because of the manual brakes. Jumping between two cars with different brake pedal efforts will confuse you to the h*ll!
Make no mistake, power brakes will stop your car better, forget about "feeling" the brakes and all that "racing" stuff, you need power brakes to get your car stopped comfortably. The best way is to get a hydroboost kit.
Make no mistake, power brakes will stop your car better, forget about "feeling" the brakes and all that "racing" stuff, you need power brakes to get your car stopped comfortably. The best way is to get a hydroboost kit.
Bill