Swapped junk PB booster/ installed 15/16 Manual MC still poor stopping

[rustytoolss]

I recently swapped out the crap ebay power brake booster and master cylinder, and installed a DR Diff 15/16 manual MC. My car is a 62 fury wagon with 10.9 front rotors with2.75" calipers ..10" rear drums with 15/16 wheel cylinders and all new hoses ( rear adjustable valve , and has a front junction block (1962). (car weighs about 3500-3600lbs.)
So after installing the 15/16 MC, and bleeding the brakes (many times) and also adjusting the rear brakes (again to hopefully find some unwanted play) .
Took the car for a drive around neighborhood. Well the car does stop better that the junk ebay PB system. And does have a long pedal travel (which I expected), But the car just does not stop as well as I had hoped for. It can not slide the tires/ not even in a panic stop.
Any ides of what I should look for ?
Have thought of installing the larger 11.75 rotors I'm sure that may help, but I would think with the parts I have right now things should be working better.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

Have you checked the front flex lines for swelling or blockage ?
Properly bled brakes should have a short pedal.

 

[Aron Gleason]

I don't know alot on brakes, but I'm thinking if you have 2 piston calipers. Switching to a 4 piston caliper would offer better clamping force.

 

[GTX JOHN]

Any rubber hoses can often be the problem.

 

[khryslerkid]

If you pump the pedal a couple of times before stopping and it locks them up, then you need a bit more adjustment.

I'm running a 15/16" mc, manual, with four drums. To get a full pedal (up top) I'll give it a pump or two. If I just hit the pedal normally, yes there's a bit more travel before they start grabbing. I'm using Dot 5 which will be spongy also.

With the non asbestos linings, it takes quite a few miles before they "break in". Mine probably took around a thousand miles before they started responding like the should. Yea, I know.

 

[rustytoolss]

The hoses are New rubber. 2 of which came with the crap ebay system (which was installed before I bought the car) Even with the long pedal travel and the 15/16MC seems to take a lot of leg force to get a good (hard? ) stop. Yeah I know they are no
longer PB. But most manual brake cars I've driver before stopped very well , with not all that much leg force. Maybe I'm expecting too much !.. I Don't think so ! Brakes are the most important system in the whole car !!!!!!

 

[66 Sat]

I don't know alot on brakes, but I'm thinking if you have 2 piston calipers. Switching to a 4 piston caliper would offer better clamping force.

You don't need different calipers with more pistons. 4 & 6 piston calipers are better for a host of reasons on high performance cars (better modulation etc) but not in this case. I'm thinking adjustment/pad material but not sure. What I know it's not, is the need for 4 piston calipers.

 

[moparedtn]

If you pump the pedal a couple of times before stopping and it locks them up, then you need a bit more adjustment.

I'm running a 15/16" mc, manual, with four drums. To get a full pedal (up top) I'll give it a pump or two. If I just hit the pedal normally, yes there's a bit more travel before they start grabbing. I'm using Dot 5 which will be spongy also.

With the non asbestos linings, it takes quite a few miles before they "break in". Mine probably took around a thousand miles before they started responding like the should. Yea, I know.

The lining material is a very good point!
Are we talking a pedal pressure/height of engagement issue here or that of actual lining "BITE"??

 

[RemCharger]

I agree with "break in " conspiracy theory.

 

[rustytoolss]

So if it is pad meterial, What would you recomend ? This is a street car / cruiser (that is if I can get brakes that I feel safe with) . Pedal height is fine, I can adjust to the long travel of the 15/16 MC ( I expected that)

 

[Don Frelier]

I've often found the pedal magically gets better after you drive it a bit.
Like the khryslerkid metioned the pads need to get seated.
Try driving it more before you make more changes.

 

[493 Mike]

I used the recommended procedure to "bed in" the new pads on my truck and it is better than in 1994 when I bought the truck. I used Power Stop brand (I think) and used their procedure.
Mike

 

[towtruckAl]

years ago we used to have the shoes arched to each drum to get a perfect surface to surface meet up , made a world of difference if shoes are factory spec and the drums have been turned and are actually oversize .with out said, they will seat but takes a few hundred city mile stops