MTFCA Forum

Martynn - have you done up an exploded diagram for the Rocky Mtn. Brakes, by chance ?

Umm, Steve, they're right here in the VowellArt Gallery, under "Brakes".
app.php/gallery/album/42

Not one of my favorite systems, I prefer John W. Stoltz's brake system better....at least it stops a Model T in both directions....Rockies won't...Rockies only work moving forward. The Original Rockies made in L.A are far better than the repop being sold currently. Larry "Original" Smith wanted me to draw those, because he's got them on his cars...and what is more important they work in both directions. After I get the Ruckstells sorted out I'm going to finish his, because looking at those, they're a work of mechanical art, hell even their equalizer is far superior to what is being offered today....modern Rockies, not so much, they're a cluuge of springs, bell cranks and rods.

Many thanks, my friend ! I've got a friend's '27 P/U here with a VERY OLD set of Bud's large drum Rocky's - fellow had EVERYTHING powder coated so I'm attempting to grind down all the pivot points but he wasn't too exact on putting them back on - it's a mess ! I have a set installed but figured I'd ask before tearing wheels off one of my T's

That's the "ticket" !!!!! I thank you kindly !

Regarding the 2 bolts that go thru the backing plate & the 2 washers for each bolt. The written instructions describe their placement as BOTH under that mounting C casting acting as spacers between the outer side of the radius rods & that mount. One or both washers do not go under the bolt head inside the brake area. This seems to be an area of confusion, as I have had to correct this on several T's.

Mr. Karvaly's addendum applies to "small" drum rear axle housings only - it does not apply to "large" drum housings according to Bud's directions.

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 07, 2021 2:53 pm

Mr. Karvaly's addendum applies to "small" drum rear axle housings only - it does not apply to "large" drum housings according to Bud's directions.

You must be right. The last set was small drum that I have the instruction for. I do have an old set on a big drum that has no spacer washers.
Thanks for the clarification.

speedytinc wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 07, 2021 4:36 pm

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 07, 2021 2:53 pm

Mr. Karvaly's addendum applies to "small" drum rear axle housings only - it does not apply to "large" drum housings according to Bud's directions.

You must be right. The last set was small drum that I have the instruction for. I do have an old set on a big drum that has no spacer washers.
Thanks for the clarification.

In that case. The view marked 1909-27 should be 26-27 or large drum & there should not be the 2 washers per mount bolt as shone?

Bud printed out another instruction set for the '26 - '27 large drum - pretty much the same language minus the double flat washers between the radius rods & the brake anchor casting. The set I'm attempting to re-construct is a very early large drum set.

I have pictures of every part which would be difficult and time consuming to post, but I'm willing to do it.
What we need now is someone with lots of money to do them correctly.

For those who have been around long enough to remember, Bud did not make the first style Rocky Mountain brakes. Jack Sunderlin made them. Jack was NOT a mechanic, and failed to put the adjusting cams on the brake bands. He also had no idea what the equalizer looked like, so instead of doing the research on what the part really looked like, he chose a Bennett equalizer, which is totally incorrect, and works with rods instead of the correct cable equalizer. When making a reproduction part, it pays to know what you are doing before offering the parts for sale!

I will attempt to post the correct parts over the next few days.

Here are some additional photos:

More photos:

That does it for now. I think it's easy to see why the original design is so much simpler that what is available now. There are a few of us who are fortunate enough to have these brakes. Just last year, I really lucked out and was able to purchase an original never used set of these brakes.