What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
John L
Posts: 124
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:39 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Leffler
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Coupe, 1927 Touring
Location: Lebanon PA 17046
MTFCA Number: 22526

What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by John L » Mon May 25, 2020 4:18 pm

I would like to put a better brake system on my 23 coupe. I am undivided what to use . Have any of you t guys used the hydraulic brake system, what do you think? I know there are a lot of you t guys have the Rocky Mountain brakes . Is that the better way to go?


Divcoone
Posts: 187
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 5:17 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Giles
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster
Location: Johnstown, Pa
MTFCA Number: 25039
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Divcoone » Mon May 25, 2020 7:30 pm

It takes awhile to get past looking at the big discs inside the rear wheels. After that, it’s comforting to push the pedal and lock up the rear wheels with little or no effort. I went with Birdhaven, but the brakes sold by Kevin Nuebert (sp) look pretty good.

User avatar

George House
Posts: 2270
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:25 pm
First Name: George
Last Name: House
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: ‘10 Maxwell AA, ‘11Hupp Model 20, Two 1914 Ford runabouts, 19 centerdoor, 25 C Cab,26 roadster
Location: Northern Caldwell County TX
MTFCA Number: 115
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by George House » Mon May 25, 2020 7:42 pm

Rocky Mountain. Period correct. ...I only have Henry’s brakes on all my T s so I’ve been enjoying driving them like Model T s for 53 years.
I don’t know why I turned out this way. My parents were decent people 🤪


Les Schubert
Posts: 1311
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Schubert
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
Location: Calgary

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Les Schubert » Mon May 25, 2020 11:31 pm

Rocky’s are great until you get caught in the rain, then LOOK Out!! Wet external band brakes are USELESS until they dry out. I’ve had a couple of moments of absolute TERROR!


Vrayfoster
Posts: 70
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 1:05 am
First Name: Victor
Last Name: Foster
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
Location: Santa Maria, CA
MTFCA Number: 16395
Board Member Since: 2002

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Vrayfoster » Mon May 25, 2020 11:59 pm

Rocky Mountain brakes work great going forwards if they are dry. Backing up or wet, well go slow. I never park with the back downhill as it will occasionally creep. Also, a rear axle leak and the RM brakes will not work.
After 10 or so years a band broke. Per RM brakes, it wasn't set up correctly. Amazingly I followed all set up directions. A couple years later the other band broke. I set up my system such that if the RM brakes failed, the transmission brake would be usable. Glad I did that. I might consider switching to disc brakes if they made a manually operated disc assembly. However, I do not like the disk sticking out in sight. I've had RM brakes installed for over 20 years. Understand their limitations and they work.


Been Here Before
Posts: 625
Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2019 2:00 pm
First Name: George John
Last Name: Drobnock
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Coupe
Location: Central Pennsylvania

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Been Here Before » Tue May 26, 2020 10:36 am

Well as some say "It's your car do what you want."

I am puzzled why any one would want to own an early vehicle and make modern improvements - I can see period up grades, but to add options that were not options at the time the vehicle was manufactured seem to defeat the reason in having a vintage vehicle.
rolex-explorer-i-stainless-steel-black-arabic-index-39mm-3-6-9-new-lume-dial-oyster-bracelet-214270.jpg
Now excuse me whilst I convert my Rolex from mechanical to a quartz movement.


NorthSouth
Posts: 512
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:18 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: California
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring, 1912 Warren Speedster
Location: West Coast
MTFCA Number: 50392

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by NorthSouth » Tue May 26, 2020 10:47 am

-
You made me laugh George. That's pretty funny.
I like the idea of increased confidence in breaking. This makes modern hydraulic disks appealing. What would this cost? ...And, what pitfalls if any, other than aesthetic, would there be?
-


Norman Kling
Posts: 4068
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
First Name: Norman
Last Name: Kling
Location: Alpine California

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Norman Kling » Tue May 26, 2020 10:52 am

Depends entirely on what you would rather have and where you drive the car. Remember this: You can lock up the rear wheels with the transmission brake, the parking brake, or the reverse pedal. You can also lock up the rear wheels with Rocky Mountain Brakes or with hydraulic brakes. Rocky's can get wet or oily, Hydraulics can have a leak. Two advantages of Hydraulic are equalization and they work both forward and backward. Rocky Mountain brakes can be equalized with some work on adjustments. And if properly installed the transmission brake will work for preventing rolling backward on a hill and the parking brake will hold both forward and backward. So take your choice. Neither brake will stop the front wheels and the narrow tire tread with high pressure tires bive limited traction, so best thing to do is keep your distance from those in front of you and keep your eyes open for pedestrians or animals darting in front of you and be prepared to swerve if necessary to avoid an accident.
I have Rocky's on all three of my cars and they work fine for me, but I drive in California where it rarely rains and only once in a while get caught in the rain.
Norm

User avatar

DanTreace
Posts: 3296
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Treace
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
Location: North Central FL
MTFCA Number: 4838
MTFCI Number: 115
Board Member Since: 2000
Contact:

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by DanTreace » Tue May 26, 2020 11:19 am

Have been using Rocky Mtn on the '27 for 14 years and they are still stopping strong. As for roll back on steep hill, mine are set to come on first movement of the brake pedal, and then the trans brake comes on, elimination of rolling. Advantage of the external contacting is it works wonderful in forward rolling where you need it. Plus the equalizer set-up, when you pull back on the emergency brake/clutch lever, that too engages the Rocky Mtn external , so you really get great parking brakes, and extra safety in panic situations.

Water or rain does reduce brake power, so use caution, just as we did in the old days of drum brakes. In light rain or wet roads, can't really tell a difference.

Pump the pedal to heat and dry the Rocky Mtn lining, it won't hold water, you just need to get the moisture away from the interface.

Ran down a very steep hill in NC in a horrible rain storm once, and yes when you stomp on the brake pedal, to check your speed in down hill free wheeling, the brakes felt weaker, but more constant stabbing on the pedal increased the power. Was more worried about the tires, they weren't new and had tread wear, slipping tires were my main concern on that down hill.

Don't have working knowledge of disc brakes, and haven't ever changed a pad or bled a line. All that stuff added to the T seems a challenge for me to install, plumb, and maintain. The Rocky Mtn are simple mechanical, like the Model A I had in high school, it had 4 wheel internal mechanical and stopped good. But my T with rear wheel external mechanical does the job too, easy to keep safe.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford

User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4956
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Mark Gregush » Tue May 26, 2020 11:24 am

I put big drum(1926/27 rear end) Rocky's on my 21. Maybe it's the lining on them but they seem to work ok in reverse backing down the slope at the end of my drive way. This is a set of the older reproductions so don't know what type of lining was used. I have them as brakes only, not set up as parking brakes. If my car still had the small drum rear end, I might still do the same Re not using them as parking brakes using the equalizer sold today. I made my own equalizer that just hangs off the cross shaft and works independent of it. I also put 21" wheels and tires on to get larger foot print on the ground. I know where I drive and how I drive, most of the time and have to deal with city traffic/speeds/hills, even the country side were we do most of our tours, lots of hills and traffic (unless I lead a tour down south around Salem were it's a lot more flat and less traffic :D ). I want brakes that will bring the car to a stop without sliding, sliding is not stopping! :o Ether brakes should work as long as you remember that you are dealing with a very small tire foot print with the 30" tires that does not take a lot of heavy footed braking to put the car into a slide. Can't help with how well the disk brakes work, don't know anyone that has them. Maybe later, helping build a speedster that might get them. As T owners, I would venture to say, cars of the same era (up to say 1927), we drive a lot more miles with our cars then all the other makes combined, so maybe have to deal with more modern driving situations then other brands so want better brakes.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Steve Jelf » Tue May 26, 2020 11:56 am

Rockies and hydraulic disks are not the only choices. So far nobody has mentioned AC brakes. I haven't tried them yet, but I've read that they're period correct and also work when backing up.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

User avatar

WayneJ
Posts: 472
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:15 pm
First Name: Wayne
Last Name: Jorgensen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout, 1918 Runabout
Location: Batavia, IL
MTFCA Number: 31697
MTFCI Number: 23399
Board Member Since: 2013

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by WayneJ » Tue May 26, 2020 3:52 pm

I live in a fairly congested area where people drive very aggressively, and nobody understands the limitations of 1915 braking technology. I am also a relatively new Model T driver. I choose Birdhaven / Texas T disk brakes and I am happy with them. Generally, folks are too upset to see 26 wire wheels on my 15 T to even comment on the brakes.
Ec.jpg
Last edited by WayneJ on Wed May 27, 2020 4:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Wayne Jorgensen, Batavia, IL
1915 Runabout
1918 Runabout


Scott_Conger
Posts: 6428
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13, '15, '19, '23
Location: Clark, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Scott_Conger » Tue May 26, 2020 4:08 pm

Generally, folks are too upset to see 26 wire wheels on my 15 T to even comment on the brakes.
Wayne, I think that's one of the funniest things I've read in a long time.
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured

User avatar

WayneJ
Posts: 472
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:15 pm
First Name: Wayne
Last Name: Jorgensen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout, 1918 Runabout
Location: Batavia, IL
MTFCA Number: 31697
MTFCI Number: 23399
Board Member Since: 2013

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by WayneJ » Tue May 26, 2020 4:38 pm

Just an observation, it seems nobody objects too strenuously about modifications folks make to make their T go faster (high compression heads, pistons, cams, etc.) but everyone is a purist if you want to stop faster.
Wayne Jorgensen, Batavia, IL
1915 Runabout
1918 Runabout


bnchief
Posts: 162
Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2019 8:33 am
First Name: Steven
Last Name: White
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 2
Location: Great Bend Kansas
MTFCA Number: 73
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by bnchief » Tue May 26, 2020 6:02 pm

Excellent point, one thing I will tell you is this i do have discs on my 1919 and it will stop wet or otherwise i did have rocky mountain brakes and find them to be mostly useless, that said i will tell you this you have to watch the people behind you because you can stop they can't as well as the guy with discs. I do not tell anyone what they should or should not do to their car i do not own it.

User avatar

paddy1998
Posts: 190
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2019 4:28 pm
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Delaney
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922/23 Touring
Location: Joliet, Illinois
MTFCA Number: 50356

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by paddy1998 » Tue May 26, 2020 11:01 pm

I installed the Sure-Stop hydraulic disc brakes from Texas T Parts (other distributors sell them as well) last summer and I couldn't be happier.

My 23ish Touring has a Ruckstell but only had the transmission brake so I had to do something. The price for the Rocky Mtn Brakes and the hydraulic brakes were comparable.

I live in Joliet, Illinois which has a number of drawbridges and associated hills, and often a LOT of traffic. Those things made me choose the hydraulic brakes; I sometimes have to stop on a pretty steep incline and I didn't want the worry of not being able to stop on a back roll

I have wire wheels so the discs are slightly less noticeable than with wood wheels. In fact have to point out the disc brakes every time a non-T person has admired the car. They just don't seem to notice.

I understand the inclination to maintain the car as period correct as possible, I just don't see the point of settling for a less reliable braking system on anything other than a brass era trailer queen or the like. I'm not taking that unnecessary risk to keep my $7,500 23 Touring period correct.

Damn thing already has a distributor anyhow. :lol:
Attachments
IMG_20200526_215718.jpg
IMG_20190715_204230.jpg
IMG_20190825_183630.jpg


bnchief
Posts: 162
Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2019 8:33 am
First Name: Steven
Last Name: White
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 2
Location: Great Bend Kansas
MTFCA Number: 73
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by bnchief » Wed May 27, 2020 7:04 am

Paddy i feel the same way my car is a fordor and a driver and it is gonna get them too.


MWalker
Posts: 474
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:49 am
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Walker
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 Roadster Pickup
Location: NW Arkansas
MTFCA Number: 314
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by MWalker » Wed May 27, 2020 9:23 am

The only thing "wrong" with disc brakes is that they don't look appropriate for a Model T. But I can tell you from my experience that once you drive a T with them, you won't want anything else. They are the best brakes available, so they ARE appropriate if your T will be driven in traffic.


iflyrvs1
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:45 pm
First Name: Michael
Last Name: Seager
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 4DR
Location: Vernonia Oregon
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by iflyrvs1 » Wed May 27, 2020 10:44 am

Got hydraulic on my 4dr works great wouldn't leave home without them.

User avatar

Susanne
Posts: 1043
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
First Name: Susanne
Last Name: Rohner
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
MTFCA Number: 464
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999
Contact:

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Susanne » Wed May 27, 2020 8:02 pm

I've been toying with an idea... 4 weel hydraulic drum brakes with modern linings (whoch would be hidden inside the drums)... an argument can even be made that it wouls be era-correct (nee Lockheed) for a later T as an accessory - other cars had this set-up. Whie the front drum would look wrong on the front... i wouldn't look quite as wrong looking as nice, shiny stainless steel discs...

Saying that - Brakes are the one known proven weak links on a T, so I won't condemn anyone's efforts to make their car safer...


Bramz
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
First Name: William
Last Name: Ramsey
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Touring and 1925 Tudor
Location: Bruceton Mills, WV
MTFCA Number: 31900
MTFCI Number: 24080

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Bramz » Sat May 30, 2020 6:41 am

Responding to Steve's post. I have AC brakes with Rich Baughman linkage on my 25 Touring and am very pleased with them. They hold equally well in reverse and I notice only minimal decrease in braking when wet. They are a good choice if you have small drum setup and do not wish to add the larger drum required for Rocky's. I have Rocky's on my 13 touring and they require less foot pressure than the AC but do not hold as well in reverse.
My AC brakes are set up with the internal shoes still in place and activated by the brake lever. They are adjusted for the AC to engage first followed by the transmission brake if you push harder. I can lock up the rear wheels easily when adjusted correctly.
Bill

User avatar

WayneJ
Posts: 472
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:15 pm
First Name: Wayne
Last Name: Jorgensen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout, 1918 Runabout
Location: Batavia, IL
MTFCA Number: 31697
MTFCI Number: 23399
Board Member Since: 2013

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by WayneJ » Sun Feb 14, 2021 12:22 pm

The question of disk brakes has come up again. I am bringing this thread to the top as the comments here might be helpful to the most recent poster of this topic.
Wayne Jorgensen, Batavia, IL
1915 Runabout
1918 Runabout


Norman Kling
Posts: 4068
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
First Name: Norman
Last Name: Kling
Location: Alpine California

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Norman Kling » Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:52 pm

I have Rocky Mt Brakes on all three. One of them has an older set which is cast with AC but is exactly the same as the currently manufactured Rocky Mountain brakes. The older AC had an anchor in the center which allowed the brake to lock up in either direction.
I have friends who use the Disk brakes and like them very much. For breaking they will be very good, however, I don't like the appearance, and for the speeds we usually drive Model T's and since they are rear brakes only either type work fine. I live in the mountains so I need the brakes for downhill driving and when I go uphill, unless I should roll backward, they also work fine.
The important part of the adjustment is to adjust the parking brake to apply first and then pull the lever back one more notch the Rocky Brakes lock. That will take care of rolling backward either when parked, or if you need to brake going backward. The transmission brake should always be left in place and is adjusted about one inch above the floorboard, where the Rocky Mountain brake comes on before the transmission brake. Then if you push very hard you have both brakes working together and it will also hold in reverse.
Norm


Allan
Posts: 5201
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Allan » Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:06 am

Throughout this topic, it has been assumed that hydraulic brakes means Disc brakes. The drum brakes on most cars from the early thirties were hydraulic. Hydraulic drum brakes are far less obtrusive than the oversized disc brakes offered these days. They were available some years back, but I understand a legal case led to the manufacturer ceasing production. With repeated overuse, they will fade, as they did in the past, but they would make a neat, unobtrusive package on a model T.

Allan from down under.


bobt
Posts: 228
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:43 am
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Thompson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 touring 1926 roadster
Location: virginia

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by bobt » Mon Feb 15, 2021 7:00 am

I own two T's. My BEST is a 1926 roadster with disc brakes (the beauty). My FAVORITE is a 1915 touring with rocky mountain brakes (the beast). I drive both of my tee's a lot around town. The best system is the disc. The best looking system are the rockies. I always drive both as if they have no brakes. I call them P&P brakes (Push & Pray) You have to remember that even with the brake upgrades mentioned , you still have no front brakes and very little contact with the road because of the skinny tires. The prices for disc or rockies are about the same but neither one is cheap by any means. If I didn't drive my T's, I wouldn't own my T's. bobt

User avatar

Charlie B in N.J.
Posts: 638
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:40 am
First Name: CHARLIE
Last Name: BRANCA
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: "27 Tudor / "23 Touring
Location: Brick N.J.
MTFCA Number: 28967
Board Member Since: 2010

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Charlie B in N.J. » Mon Feb 15, 2021 7:25 am

I don’t remember the topic subject so I can’t really search it but years back someone spoke of a rear wheel hydraulic drum set with a picture or two. Believe the drums & backing plates were from a foreign car. You would never notice them at all. If I were to do this job that’s the first system I’d try to find out about.
Forget everything you thought you knew.


Allan
Posts: 5201
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Allan » Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:19 pm

Charlie, I'm with you on hydraulic drum brakes on the rear. If my memory serves me well, the ones I remember were Technicore brakes. I do not know of the reason for the legal case, and demise of the product.
There is one car in our club which has hydraulic drum brakes on the front wheels. These came from a late seventies rear wheel drive Toyota Camry. Unless you know T's, they go largely un-noticed.

Allan from down under.


Allan
Posts: 5201
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by Allan » Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:33 pm

Technicore it was. I found a post from Feb 2 on the 2005 forum. The reading is interesting. There is no mention of any legal case, so I may have that wrong.

Allan from down under.

User avatar

DanTreace
Posts: 3296
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Treace
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
Location: North Central FL
MTFCA Number: 4838
MTFCI Number: 115
Board Member Since: 2000
Contact:

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by DanTreace » Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:36 pm

Yes Allan

Those were Technicore small drum brakes, friend with a fine 1911 has these on the rear housing, no changes to the axle or wheel, just a tiny steel line is seen, he says they are great for stopping! Sadly, no longer produced, developer abandoned I think due to low sales, price was hefty for back in the '70's.


845437.jpg
845437.jpg (28.23 KiB) Viewed 4465 times


IMG_7171 (550x413).jpg
IMG_7171 (550x413).jpg (111.05 KiB) Viewed 4465 times
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


StanHowe
Posts: 979
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:42 pm
First Name: Stan
Last Name: Howe
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 2
Location: Helena, MT
MTFCA Number: 19133
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by StanHowe » Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:06 pm

You want a baler with shiny paint or one that is tying bales when your hay is down and it's about to rain? Both is nice but given a choice I'll take the one that is tying 5 or 6 bales a minute without a problem over the one with shiny paint that won't tie.

That's my take on the brakes. A set is going on my 27 coupe when I get the Ruckstell rebuilt and ready to go under it.

I had a set of Rocky Mountains on a speedster. Ran them on one run. Took them off and sold them for about $350 less than I paid for them.

I want to stop when I need to stop. Rain, mud, snow, winter, summer, forward, backward, down a Montana mountain or running down a gravel road or stopped by somebody in front of me not being able to climb the hill.

I'm putting pennies in a jar for a set of Sure Stop disks. Anybody doesn't like how they look on my coupe with its original paint and "Patina."

Not my problem.


lesvonnordheim
Posts: 39
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2019 1:01 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Von Nordheim
Location: Fallbrook, CA

Re: What’s your opinion ? Rocky mt . Hydraulic .

Post by lesvonnordheim » Mon Feb 15, 2021 11:11 pm

I have the earlier style Rocky's with cast iron drums on my 13 touring for over 20 yrs. and like them.....except when they get wet. When wet , I ride the brakes early to help dry them out when going down hill or approaching a stop sign. I have the internal brake band adjusted loose but can lock up the wheels by "stomping" on the peddle. I do not like driving in the rain. The earlier style Rocky's stop better in reverse than the later style. I can lock up the rear wheels when dry but must push very hard on the brake peddle. Just don't like the looks of disk Hydraulic brake's on Model T's.

Having only the two rear wheels to stop you.....a Boat Anchor may be a better investment. Smile!

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic