Nate...........I'm 6'1'' and 200 pounds and I walk 4-5 miles a day,so my legs are in pretty good shape.Driving my manual drum brake cars requires me to use a lot of leg.I think that your concern is simply because you've always had power brakes and need to get accustomed to to non-power.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

You will need "full-leg" use for those manual brakes - no "heel on the floor"!  I've driven many of those '54 / '55 / '56 ford cars for many years, and a "full-leg" is necessary.

Regards,   JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

You do have to lift your leg on non power and push there not like power brakes but they do stop the car alright

I drive a 55 vicky, a 58 F100 and many other non powered brake cars, However, I have a 1969 F100 and the brakes on that take much more effort to push than any of my others and you say you used a 68 master, it may have something to do with the years. I asked someone who drove those year trucks all the time because I thought mine were were bad and he said thats how they were in those years.

Just think positive, you will always have muscular legs.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

Its difficult to say without feeling the actual pressure needed. If you are used to modern cars then the brake will surely feel harder. Having owned Fords from the 50's on I don't notice it so much. I just know I have to push harder on the early Fords to stop.

One question though, how far does the brake pedal travel before you feel pressure? It should have at least 1" or more free travel to work correctly.

Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I Used to call my non-power brakes in my 56 as adrenaline assisted

Cheers

Warren

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

Did you replace the hoses? If not, they could be swelled inside to the point that they are not passing fluid properly.

Maybe you have the optional antistop brakes.

When I read Grizzly's post I knew my breaks were working just fine    I couldn't said it better myself.

Chuck, I'd guess that my pedal travels 1-2" before it gets real firm.  The pedal feel is nice as far as travel and firmness.

Park, yep, replaced everything bewteen the pedal and the drum.

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

Are there any other Y-Blocker's around that could do a feel test for you? That would answer the question once and for all. As i recall you went through quite a process to get the brakes set up and bled correctly. Are the shoes on right so that the brakes "self activate" when you push the pedal? If all else is correct then you will need to allow time for your leg muscles to build up. Being used to modern brakes the feeling is quite different! Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire