Does anyone have photographs of original Rock Mountain Brakes? The Complete Set? Every last piece?

[NorthSouth]

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Does anyone have photographs of original Rock Mountain Brakes? The Complete Set? Every last piece?
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[ThreePedalTapDancer]

Larry Smith posted a pic of original clamp back in 2016. Looks like it would be easy to make, I would suggest using an aircraft eye bolt from aircraft spruce. You may have to extend the threads further on shank, just an idea.

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/5 ... 1478740557

IMG_6320.jpeg (73.7 KiB) Viewed 1795 times

[Kevin Pharis]

These fixture bolts are an even closer match

https://www.carrlane.com/product/clampi ... ts/cl-1-sb

[RajoRacer]

Here's another photo - Ed has a great suggestion !

[TRDxB2]

Swing Bolts

[Original Smith]

Those hinge pin swing bolts are very close, but need to be modified to be correct.

[Rajo23]

Swing Bolts

This isn't a "photograph of an Rock Mountain Brake 'pedal clamp'!
Edit: Thank you Larry for the correction below!

[Original Smith]

It certainly is!

[NorthSouth]

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Found One.
Now I just need the C clamp.
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[KWTownsend]

The C clamp looks like it would be easy to fabricate.

[RajoRacer]

C-clamp material - 3/16 x 3/4 flat stock w/rounded edges - Mc Master-Carr.

[Shrshot]

Here's a picture of the one I made to use on my AC Brakes...

[speedytinc]

The pedal linkage unit appears to be unused. mounts to pivot from the DS tube.
Pedal clamp is 2 pieces cast to clamp onto pedal with 1/4" bolts.
Drums are riveted together.
Obviously made for a cable that automatically equalizes.
I dont know if this is an original RM brand set or a Sunderland reproduction.

[RajoRacer]

John - I have a set of both - the main bracket you are showing is an original. The Sunderland drums are cast in one piece.

[Original Smith]

I'll stick with the original design.

[Original Smith]

When Eaton took over the production of Rocky Mountain products, they made a number of changes, some good, some not so good.

[NorthSouth]

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This is what I have collected so far;
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[NorthSouth]

I'll stick with the original design.

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Larry,
What is the “original design” that you referred to?

Would you be able to provide more information or “photographs”.

Those following this thread would benefit from more elaboration.
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[ewdysar]

My "modern" Rocky Mountain brakes have rods with the associated equalizer. If I were to convert "back" to cables, two questions:

Did the originals interact with the parking brake, and if so, how? Or since I already have the equalizer installed and linked to the brake pedal and parking brake, should I just replace the bracket that the brake rods attach to with something (see next question) to pull the cables?

I've recently seen pics posted showing a "y-shaped" channel to pull the brake cables, and others show a pulley to do the same. The pulley seems like it would be better for equalization. Which method was used with the original set-up?

Keep crankin',
Eric

[speedytinc]

My "modern" Rocky Mountain brakes have rods with the associated equalizer. If I were to convert "back" to cables, two questions:

Did the originals interact with the parking brake, and if so, how? Or since I already have the equalizer installed and linked to the brake pedal and parking brake, should I just replace the bracket that the brake rods attach to with something (see next question) to pull the cables?

I've recently seen pics posted showing a "y-shaped" channel to pull the brake cables, and others show a pulley to do the same. The pulley seems like it would be better for equalization. Which method was used with the original set-up?

Keep crankin',
Eric

Originals are not integrated with the parking brakes.

I have seen the pulley setup before. I believe it was original. The u piece on my setup is new to me, but I believe it will work equally well.
That piece is the same all of the parking brake setups for 60's fords & probably many others used. Both these pieces provide simple & cheap self equalization.

[Dan McEachern]

John- your equalizer assembly was made by me for use with my small drum AC brakes that I reproduced for many years. Just don't want folks to get confused with original versus reproduction parts. Dan

[speedytinc]

John- your equalizer assembly was made by me for use with my small drum AC brakes that I reproduced for many years. Just don't want folks to get confused with original versus reproduction parts. Dan

Thanks Dan. I appreciate the info.
Makes sense being in new condition & came with a set of AC small drum brakes & the RM's I pictured.

[Original Smith]

Why not come over! I have every part, and none of it is for sale. The threads on the hinge bolt are fine thread.

[Original Smith]

For the benefit of those who have original Rocky Mountain brakes, I had all the springs reproduced, and are for sale @ $5.00 each.

[Original Smith]

There are several photos of original parts pictured. You are almost there. If you decide to visit, you can take your own pictures!

[NorthSouth]

For the benefit of those who have original Rocky Mountain brakes, I had all the springs reproduced, and are for sale @ $5.00 each.

Great news Larry,
I would like a full complete set and agree to the increase ($10 each) for the “rear conical springs”. I will send you a check. What is the total cost including local shipping?

[Original Smith]

I made a mistake on the brake springs. The barrel springs are $10 each, and the conical springs are $15. You don't even want to know how much it cost me to have these made!

[Original Smith]

What is surprising to me is the sudden interest in REAL Rocky Mountain Brakes. I know the whole story on the repros from the start, so it's up to the owner to decide which way to go. In the early '60's the Rocky Mountain Brakes started to be made correctly, but the guy that had them made had no mechanical knowledge, so decided to use a Bennett equalizer instead of what is correct. The current offerings are copies of an A.C. brake used in 1926. I was young in the hobby then and didn't have the knowledge I now have. When reproducing anything, it is imperative to do your research on the subject. At first, I didn't know what the pedal clamp looked like until about 10 years ago, so I now have that corrected. The superior aspect of the first series brake drums is they were cast. I have three Model T's, and have been able to locate original parts for all of them.

[Rajo23]

Larry,
Could you post numerous detailed photos of your Rocky Mountain Brakes? Seeing these photos would greatly further my research.
This would also benefit those of us who live hundreds of miles away.
Thank you!!

[big2bird]

OIP-6.jpeg (22.44 KiB) Viewed 435 times

[NorthSouth]

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Larry “Original” Smith just sold me this brand new, period correct, spring kit for my now complete set of original Rocky Mountain Brakes.

“$37.99”

Doing things correctly can be expensive.
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[RajoRacer]

Steve - if the R.M. brakes you posted the photo of above are what you have - those are Sunderlin repros - I currently have a set of both. John K. posted a photo of an original just above yours - note the "oversize" hole and the smaller hole above it which you apparently drilled a hole in the original small drum backing plate

[Original Smith]

There is no excuse for doing things incorrectly. I'm not a camera type, and don't wish to try and do so. However, I encourage anyone who is to come over and start taking pictures. I bought my first set of R.M. brakes from Chris Eggsgard when I was a teenager, and have managed to find enough parts to put them on all of my cars.

[NorthSouth]

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I just had an informative visit with Mr Ed in Hayward and he assured me that my “Sunderlin” Brakes are are a correct copy of the original Rocky Mountain Brake design and will operate in both forward *and in reverse*.

So, I will keep this now complete setup and put them, and the new cast iron brake drums, on the 1924 Paco bodied speedster.
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[RajoRacer]

Yes, they are somewhat correct BUT they are not exactly as the originals ! Tell Ed "Hi" from Tomaso !

[Original Smith]

Some people only know half the story! Sunderlins first attempt at making R.M. brakes was pretty good. Where he messed up was he didn't know what the rest of the setup looked like, and unfortunately chose a Bennett equalizer! That was a huge mistake, and to this day Buds Rocky Mountain brakes are 100% incorrect!
When Tractor Train took over making the brakes, they made some improvements. Why they added to the bracket mentioned above is not known.
I have been around since the start of this venture, and what I say is true. The first series cast drums are very nice. I have a set of these on one of my cars. All I had to do was machine the casting marks off the inside of the drums, and put a radius on the upper corner.

[Original Smith]

If Jack Sunderlin had photos of every original part, we wouldn't have the disaster we have today!