63 _stopping distance specification?

[Steve D.]

I have a 63 coupe with manual drum brakes. I'm uncomfortable getting stopped in a hurry (ie going 45 when the signal light flashes to yellow) . I have read in the archives ( in discussions re: installing disc brakes on the front) that there is a considerable body of opinion that drum brakes are more than sufficient for "non competitive" driving. The shoes and drums are in very good shape; no leaks; and the pedal is full and firm while stopping. Is there a specification for stopping distance, such as "within X feet from 60 MPH" ?

Steve

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 _stopping distance specification?

You can probably find the Road & Track road test online, and I recall the 60-0 was about 130 ft., which is excellent even by today's standards, but their measurement methodology may have been optimistic.

I doesn't sound like there is anything wrong with your brakes, but we tend to get "spoiled" by modern cars, which have low effort and linear modulation. Rather than going after the drums, think about installing a power booster.

Find a test road and use the brakes hard to the point of lockup. You will probably find that limit is high.

The C2 drum brakes are from the passenger cars, which weighed about 1000 pounds more than a Corvette, so the brakes have plenty of capacity, but since they are self-energizing, deceleration is not linear with pedal effort, which can make them tricky to modulate, but one you understand their characteristics and how to use them you will gain confidence.

Given the power of the brakes, the limiting factor is tire adhesion!!!

I learned how to use J-65 metallic brakes on a race track. They stop as well as disk brakes in repeated use from high speed, but they are very tricky to modulate. Everything since has been a piece of cake.

Duke

[Joe M.]

Re: 63 _stopping distance specification?

Be concerned about your reaction time and it is imperative you get to know your cars braking characteristics vs some mean engineering WAG/measurement. Slam those brakes hard every once in a while. On an empty road with good visibility all around, approaching a traffic light or stop sign stay on the gas a little longer than feels comfortable and brake harder than you are used to. Do so judiciously of course. Get a little harder on your brakes to build confidence and learn what the car will do.

I just had to stand on the brakes on my 63 FI doing about 40ish when an idiot turned across the lane in front of me. Stopped in time and relatively straight. I mean I stood on the brake, released and stood again. that will give you confidence in those old brakes.

Keep the brakes free of dust especially after new brake install as the brakes and drums need to get to know each other and lot of dust can be generated. Remove the wheel and drum and hit it with the garden hose to wash off the brake dust once a year or so and the brakes will seem like new.

Those drums been around a long time.
You are driving a car with discs and power steering and then go to a 62 or 63 and it is a different animal. A hardworking animal just different.
Of course if you drive thru a deep puddle know that you will not have brakes until they dry out after a few pumps.

[Rob M.]

Re: 63 _stopping distance specification?

Keep the brakes free of dust especially after new brake install as the brakes and drums need to get to know each other and lot of dust can be generated. Remove the wheel and drum and hit it with the garden hose to wash off the brake dust once a year or so and the brakes will seem like new.

Ensure you use your brakes a bit after this procedure (and be aware it might not break very well the first couple of times you use it) to evaporate the water out (so it doesn't rust out on the inside)...

[Steve D.]

Re: 63 _stopping distance specification?

Thanks. I'll find a test area and do some experimenting. I have been wanting to install a dual master cylinder, so I will do a little research re: dual cylinder for drums and for including a booster. I understand there may be some clearance issues with the booster for 63. I'm sure I will have questions and will start a new thread later.

Steve

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 _stopping distance specification?

I agree with Duke's comment about adding power brakes to your car. My 63 had manual brakes and I never felt comfortable with them. The car would stop but it seemed to take an awful lot of foot pressure to operate the brakes. I located an original restored 63 booster and master cylinder. The installation is easy as they are all bolt on parts. The difference in operating the car was amazing. I feel comfortable with the brakes now.

[Joe M.]

Re: 63 _stopping distance specification?

Neglected to add my 63 is an original power brake car.

Can't emphasize enough the need to become familiar with your car's braking characeteristics no matter the configuration. the confidence will come.