Hydraulic brake conversion backplate

[Mgibson]

Hi I would appreciate any leads to source a pair of aluminium backplates to better complete the brake conversion of my Austin 7 .i have rang many suppliers and specialist to no avail . I wonder if any members have returned their brakes back to original and may have a pair of aluminium backplates that I could purchase .

[merlinart]

Hi I would appreciate any leads to source a pair of aluminium backplates to better complete the brake conversion of my Austin 7 .i have rang many suppliers and specialist to no avail . I wonder if any members have returned their brakes back to original and may have a pair of aluminium backplates that I could purchase .

Likewise please.

Arthur

[Ian Williams]

There are a number of owners who are now converting their cars back to cable brakes, so if you are patient you should find a set, and if you are lucky you may even find the parts to keep them working for a few years. Be aware though they will not give you any better braking, simply a different method of actuation.

[Charles P]

I'd argue that twin leading shoes is a material improvement. Whether it's worth the weight and complexity is a valid question. And the 3.50x19 rubber is still a limitation.

[Mike Costigan]

... And the 3.50x19 rubber is still a limitation.

I am very envious of anyone who has found that limit on dry roads! In fifty years of driving on Avon Triple Duties I don't think I have ever locked a wheel except on loose gravel.

[Mgibson]

Agree cable brakes would be preferable , the Race car project I have taken over had already moved a way down the hydraulic conversion route so will try to continue .

[Ruairidh Dunford]

... And the 3.50x19 rubber is still a limitation.

I am very envious of anyone who has found that limit on dry roads! In fifty years of driving on Avon Triple Duties I don't think I have ever locked a wheel except on loose gravel.

Getting them to work properly is mostly in the set up. Doing that correctly, along with fitting the excellent new parts available today, means that this is more than possible. Happy to help if you would like to achieve this Mike.

[Viteran]

Hi
My 37 Ruby has a hydraulic brake conversion with Morris minor parts, although the back plates have been welded as part of the60’s conversion.
John Barlow ( Nottingham) had them listed (POA) in August2016

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Hi
My 37 Ruby has a hydraulic brake conversion with Morris minor parts, although the back plates have been welded as part of the60’s conversion.
John Barlow ( Nottingham) had them listed (POA) in August2016

[Austin in the Shed]

There are a number of owners who are now converting their cars back to cable brakes, so if you are patient you should find a set, and if you are lucky you may even find the parts to keep them working for a few years. Be aware though they will not give you any better braking, simply a different method of actuation.

I'd have to disagree with you on this one Ian,I have hydraulics fitted on one of my cars.They work very well and can lock the front wheels in an emergency.

[GK5268]

I fitted hydraulic brakes to my 1934 Ruby, where I live, Brighton, to get anywhere, there is always heavy traffic to negotiate, so it is essential to have confidence that the car will actually stop, particularly with modern car drivers!

Hydraulic brakes do give slightly better braking due to the slightly increased surface area of contact with the drums, but as Ian says, it is the actuation that is different and hydraulic brakes are significantly more efficient with most of the pedal effort being transmitted to the point of use.

Furthermore, the hydraulic set-up normally features twin-leading shoes, rather than the original of one leading and one trailing shoe, so the hydraulic braking is more effective taking full advantage of the self-servo effect of the drum rotation (but brakes less effective in reverse).

On my Uncle's Ruby, he has cable brakes so I can compare the two systems, mine are definitely better, BUT, it is a lot of work to install and install right, I have tried to get the installation "factory" looking and it looks right. 

On my Swallow saloon, I have decided to retain the cable operation and I am keen to fit the Oxfordshire 7's brake conversion to the fronts to provide twin-leading shoe set-up, which whilst I understand is not quite as efficient at hydraulics is an improvement over the existing arrangement - has anyone first hand experience of their set-up?

Back to the thread, Tony Betts supplied the parts for my car and he was advertising the back-plates awhile ago, may be worth checking in with him?