MTFCA Forum

There are a lot of old threads about a multitude of Model T Brakes. I have looked at Rocky Mountain Brakes $869 and seems there are problems backing up. Of course drum brakes in the rain are about useless. But maybe better than the original "prayer" brakes.

What else is out there? I am much less than original/authentic than stopping power! I have seen disk brakes? Other ideas?

I have this sickening feeling that I may plant my Moto-Meter in something solid or even semi-solid mass to stop me!

I have a 1927 Hot (as in fast) Speedster. It has original brakes. What are my options? I know that skinny tires on the two rear will not stop me like modern brakes, but lets have a fighting chance?

Here are my rear brakes, now Here are a few goodies that need to be stopped when needed!

I have looked at Rocky Mountain Brakes $869 and seems there are problems backing up.

If you are backing up at 40MPH, or are trying to hold on a steep hill, you will definitely find modern Rocky brakes lacking. That's why you keep your transmission brake and original parking brake functioning. The only time Rocky's truly lack stopping power is when they're wet. When they're dry, and you're traveling forward, they work great.

If you want to be able to lock up the brakes under any circumstances, the only commercial option would be disk brakes. I personally find them to look horrible and since I drive my car at the speed it was designed for, do not typically drive in rain, and do not live in a rabbit-warren of a city, I find original brakes sufficient and suits my sense of aesthetics. It really depends on if you want early 20th century technology or late 20th century technology and only you can make that decision. There are some pretty decent looking custom drum brake conversions but it doesn't sound like you're looking to fabricate something yourself so you're back to disks, unless you wish to pursue making your parking brake a service brake and that is not really difficult custom work as there are kits, and they work pretty good.

As disks become more the norm, I've found during tours that drivers become stupider and stupider, pulling stunts with their cars that no stock "T" can match and thus become a hazard to drivers who have restored their cars. If you go to disks and are surrounded by other "T"s, do not forget that your worry about your motometer may in fact become a rear-end reality. Remain conscious of the guy behind you. For that and a couple other lesser reasons, I have lost almost all interest in organized tours. I used to look forward to tours to be "equally yoked" with other drivers of similar antique cars. That is definitely not the case anymore.

You are aware of the issue of your braking "foot print" Unless you adapt modern wide tires & front brakes also there is no fix.
THE answer is to drive no faster than conditions dictate. On an open freeway you can wind her up. In town you drive slower than the traffic around you to increase you chances from idiots jumping in front of you with modern brakes. The best (debatable) brakes are no better than your foot print dictates when locked up.

The best (debatable) brakes are no better than your foot print dictates when locked up.

and that, really, is the crux of the issue

My late roadster with stock brakes has all the stopping power my "balloon" tires can apply to the road under all ordinary situations. In a situation involving a long, steep downhill run, auxillary brakes would be of some limited help, and the disc brakes would be best, but would still be
limited by tire adhesion.

As noted brakes are only part of the problem. The real problem is with the tires size. The amount of contact a tire has with the road, footprint, is called contact patch. I couldn't find a calculator for Model T sized tires. Motorcycle tires are constructed differently. I think this image is somewhat self explanatory if you think of the width & PSI of the tires on your Model T and weight transfer when braking.

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:44 pm

The best (debatable) brakes are no better than your foot print dictates when locked up.

and that, really, is the crux of the issue

AMEN TO THAT!

I know this is not the answer you were looking for, but it costs no money and requires no tools. You are halfway there because you are fully aware of the performance limitations of the Model T. That is good! The next step is one that some people cannot, or will not make. It is simply to drive the car as it was designed to be driven and NOT TO EXPECT it to perform beyond its inherent limitations. I am not against you or anyone putting disc brakes, seatbelts, or any modification to your own car. Even then, it is still safest to be fully aware of its limitations and modify your driving habits when driving a T. I hope you can appreciate and accept your T for the great car that it is, and be less concerned about what it isn't.