MTFCA Forum

On the original Rocky Mountain brakes for 1909-25 are the cast drums a lot heavier and one piece compared to the repro's, Bob

The illustration in "The Model T Ford Owner" sure looks like one piece, but is not large enough to tell if thicker. Murray does not go into much detail.

these have more of a squared off drum and very heavy, Bob

I have five set's of original Rocky Mountain Brakes. The drums were stamped steel, and a stock T brake drum was riveted to that I assume, either correctly or incorrectly that the original lining was softer than what is currently available, and probably did the job. I have cast iron drums on my cars, and am using old stock lining. How old is anyones guess.

Here are some pictures of my RM drums, they are stamped and riveted like Larry described.

I have since removed the hideous red paint and painted them black.

Original R-M adv. stating the large double drum is pressed steel.

My cast drums are much heavier. Much higher thermal capacity for reduced brake fade.

Here is the straight information. I lived not far from the man who made the original RM brakes. He had the right idea, but that is all. He didn't do research like I do, and so wound up with a hodge podge like you see today. After a couple of years making the hodge podge, he decided to copy some AC brakes that were on a friends '26 roadster, but still didn't have a clue as to what was connected to the brake pedal. All of these errors are still being made today, and although they work are not even close to the original design. It took me quite a few years to determine what Rocky Mountain did, but now I know, and am pleased with what they did. I have other friends that will back me up on this.

This is the set I just got in with the collection of cars
they might be new but wish they were original let you judge
drums are 1 pc cast
Bob

more pics

Bob

That set is the older reproduction of the Rocky Mountain, made in the 60's I think. Real nice repro.

If you read the detail caption on the right hand side of this instruction sheet that came with these reproduction, states the drum is machined from cast ductile iron. Those are a desirable set of rear brakes for the small drum T axle!

Here is the band adjusting cam used on real Rocky Mountain brakes, and is important for alignment.

Look closely at the photo Dan posted of an original ad. They say Rocky Mountain Steel Products, L.A. The first series reproductions don't say that. Each band has two cams riveted to the band. If someone was serious about installing them, they could be made. Everything from the rear end to the front is Bennett, and were not designed to work with a true Rocky Mountain brake.