1967 R/T Brakes

TX67RT · Dec 27, 2013

I'm getting ready to put my 67 R/T back on the road after sitting covered in my shop for a few years. The master cylinder has gone bad, and I am going to work through the brakes for safety purposes. The car is all original, and I want to replace the wheel cylinders, hoses, hardware, shoes, etc.

Since I'm going to have it apart anyway, I'm considering converting the car to power disc brakes. In my opinion, Chrysler should have made discs mandatory on the 440 cars just like they did on the Hemis. Now, this car is all original and has never been apart. To me, that's what makes it so special. I've kept it this way since I bought it in 1982 from the original owner.

My question is this: Would converting this car be considered bad form? I want it to be safe, but will never drive the car frequently or hard. I remember the manual drums being adequate, but I realize that the discs are much better.

If I DO make the swap, I will use only period-correct factory parts; no aftermarket whatsoever. When I finish, the car will look as though it came from St. Louis with power brakes. But, it will always be missing the code on the data plate.

Let me know your thoughts. I don't want to compromise the integrity or value of the car.

Cheers,

JD

terzmo · Dec 27, 2013

is it a trailer queen or driver....if a driver like mine....who cares what the parts are as long as they work..I have a setup off a 74 duster..works great...

TX67RT · Dec 27, 2013

terzmo said:
is it a trailer queen or driver....if a driver like mine....who cares what the parts are as long as they work..I have a setup off a 74 duster..works great...

Well, it won't be a "trailer queen", but will get trailered occasionally. And it won't be strictly a "driver", as I'll only drive it for weekend cruising and shows. The only way I would consider making any changes at all would be if I used correct parts from another 67. I'll never use any aftermarket or incorrect year parts on the car.

I think I've answered my own question. I'm just not comfortable making any changes to this car. I'll live with the restored drum brakes. They'll be good enough for what I'm going to do with the car, and I won't have to make any excuses at shows.

Cheers!

JD

MOPOWER871 · Jul 30, 2014

YOU DONT HAVE TO MAKE EXCUSES FOR ANYONE , ITS A MOPAR ,KING OF THE ROAD ,JUST TELL THEM TO PISS OFF !! AND OFFER THEM A BREATH MINT. AND TELL HE OR SHE OR THE PARTYS THAT BE, DONT GO AWAY MAD, JUST GO AWAY.

:ufo:

terzmo · Jul 31, 2014

it's your car and can do anything you care to do...I guess in your position and "use" of the vehicle...the drum brakes are just dandy

Rick@Laysons · Jul 31, 2014

High performance carbon metallic brake shoes are available that do offer increased stopping power for drum brake cars.

Cranky · Jul 31, 2014

If I can make a 440 powered road runner stop well on a track with a short shut off area running 10.60's @ 126 using 11" drums, so can you.

ChargerPilot · Jul 31, 2014

Rick@Laysons said:
High performance carbon metallic brake shoes are available that do offer increased stopping power for drum brake cars.

X2 This is what I did and its worked great.

AR67GTX · Aug 1, 2014

I'm about 98% sure Hemi's also came standard with the 11 inch drum brakes. A lot of Hemi's were ordered with manual brakes and I believe the disc brake option required a booster. Now someone out there will probably prove I'm wrong.

There are disc brake kits that utilize a lot of the stock parts and what they don't reuse, can still be hung on to and passed on to the next owner if they decide to go back to original. I converted my drum brakes to power which was a big improvement. I feel pretty comfortable driving it. I also went through and replaced everything in mine - wheel cylinders, hoses, shoes, front drums, turned everything, etc. I installed some ceramic shoes from a place that was around years ago. They do hook up much better than the shoes that were in it when I bought it. They do need to warm up just a bit before they feel good. About the only thing I didn't replace was the hard lines and I have new ones but I've just put it off so far. But I wouldn't blame you for going to front discs. It is a better set up.

Back about 9 to 10 years ago I could find about everything I needed at NAPA. But NAPA has kind of gone downhill in recent years - can't say if they can still deliver or not.

TX67RT · Aug 3, 2014

Since I first posted, I went ahead and purchased all-new hydraulic components for the stock manual drum brake setup; master cylinder, hard lines, flexible lines, and wheel cylinders. The carbon metallic brake shoes sound like a nice upgrade. I'm in the midst of swapping everything out now, and feel that the stock setup will suffice for how I use the car now. I used to drive it ALOT harder, and never gave a second thought to the brakes. Youth and immortality, I guess, haha.

Cheers!

JD

monaco66coupe · Aug 3, 2014

R/T brakes are good brakes. Disc's are ok but, not necessary.

Meep-Meep · Aug 4, 2014

I have the 11x3 power drums on my 66 Belvedere and have no problem stopping from a 109 MPH trap speed.

1967 R/T Brakes

TX67RT

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terzmo

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TX67RT

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MOPOWER871

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terzmo

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Rick@Laysons

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Cranky

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ChargerPilot

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AR67GTX

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TX67RT

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monaco66coupe

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Meep-Meep

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