[FC] FC brake UPGRADES

[David C. Herrin III]

Harry,
Choosing the correct friction materials is crucial to operation.
Original Metallics Delco Moraine and Velvetouch ( No Longer Available )
had several serious shortcomings for street driving
and the material wore the drums
- 2 to 3 sets of drums during service life...

Recently one of our technical staff rode the brakes till they "failed" 
and when he applied the parking brake -  our US "Street Kevlar" still 
functioned. He had boiled DOT 5 Silicone Brake Fluid. DOT 3, 4, & new 
5.1 Glycol attract moisture and this moisture lowers the boiling 
point... ... DOT 5 1) does not like Third World rubber components, 2) 
aerates - traps air - spongy pedal if not handled properly.

You have seen my 1971 Nova SS in my garage - 1 mile from ocean
  it was converted about 20 years ago ... the fluid has no detectable 
moisture content.

David

hmoore@sandiego.edu wrote:

> Some more qeustions.  How do metalic brakes help stop brake fade, is the 
> coefficient of friction higher on them? or does the meterial resist/disipate 
> heat better (or is that what a higher coefficeient of friction is?)  Also, the 
> proper way to drive a brier (or any car) in hills is to apply the brakes hard 
> till you slow then let off of them, is that correct?
Yes and use the transmission - engine braking to slow vehicle.
Mainly do not ride the brakes !; they cannot effectively disperse the 
heat if constantly applied.

   What about for highway
> and freeway braking or just regular driving for that matter?  The short 
> wheelbase does have some effect on the drving requirements, yeah?  What about a 
> power brake booster, would that have helped the brier that lost its brakes in 
> the mountains?
Power boosters make up for weak legs VBG and loss of pedal feel

> What are some other ways I can help cool the brakes-I know that if I drive it 
> properly this would not be necccesary.  
> Thanks
> Harry
> 
> 
> Quoting Keith Hammett <khammett@stainlessfab.com>:
> 
> 
>>Brake Fade is when the brake pads or shoes heat up to a point that the
>>coefficient of friction is no longer effective between the pads/shoes and
>>the rotor/drum.  Fluid type (air/DOT3/Silicone) does not matter for brake
>>fade!  If you have ever driven in the mountains then you have seen the
>>emergency ramps (most people think they are just for trucks, wrong), most
>>vehicles that are pulled from these have no brake problems, except that the
>>driver over used his brakes heating them up and losing friction!
>>
>>Boiling brake fluid is when you have heated the fluid in the
>>caliper/cylinder from way over using your brakes.  This will occur if you
>>continue to use your brakes after fading has occurred.  After letting brakes
>>cool one will usually have spongy brakes from the air that gets trapped in
>>the lines.  I would recommend that if you have boiled the brake fluid that
>>you change it.
>>
>>This summer when we went up Pikes Peak the ranger at the bottom told me to
>>make plenty of stops on the way down that minivans tend to over heat their
>>brakes.  I drove straight down and at the brake check station the ranger
>>that checked the brake temperature said that I was in great shape and to
>>continue on.  I still sat there for about 15 minutes to allow some cooling
>>before proceeding.  Knowing how to drive is the best way to avoid Brake Fade
>>and boiling of brake fluid.  I did this with less than 70% of brake pads
>>left on the van.  BTW the van is a 2000 windstar.
>>
>>Keith Hammett
>>
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: corvanatics-admin@corvair.org
>>[mailto:corvanatics-admin@corvair.org]On Behalf Of srmarti
>>Sent: Friday, October 10, 2003 7:19 AM
>>To: corvanatics@corvair.org
>>Subject: RE: [FC] FC brake UPGRADES
>>
>>
>>
>>>please put dual master cylinder on any fc , or any corvair ,for that
>>>matter.make sure that everything is in good condition.  I watched
>>>the greenbrier ahead
>>>of me on a mountain in vt lose its braking due to heat years ago
>>>, heard them
>>>on cb saying they lost them, and we had thier kids riding with us.  the
>>>brakes faded out from heat. i think that a dual cylinder would
>>>have saved them.
>>>they did get hurt.  not good memories at all.  also silicone
>>>fluid would handle
>>>the heat better.     regards tim colson
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>I don't question the added safety backup of a dual master cylinder.  But how
>>does a master cylinder prevent brake fade?  Isn't that an heat issue?
>>
>>Steve
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> 
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