Metallic Brakes for my Impala
My friend Tom Merring has been extolling the benefits of metallic brakes for our Late Great Chevys for quite a while. While I was skeptical at first, eventually I decided to go ahead with the plan. I drive the 1.25 hours up to scenic Warren County in my 1960 Impala convertible and we get to work. I had a set of used brake drums from 20 years ago that we tried to use only to discover they could not be turned. Mr. Merring came through with a useable set which he had turned successfully. We go to work and repaired an oil leak at the right rear axle bearing. Everything goes smoothly after that until we put the wheels back on and discover the fronts don’t want to spin. Turns out the front shoes I had procured were 3 inches wide instead of the 2 & ¾ inches that they should be. Who knew? Fortunately, Tom had a correct set in his parts stash (is there anything for 1960 Chevrolets that he doesn’t have?) By the time we had the car back on the ground it was too late to install the restored power brake booster.
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I had removed this unit from a 1960 Kingswood at Pee Wee’s junkyard years ago with the help of Jim Krous. As I exit the driveway on my way back home, I find the brake pedal goes almost to the floor and it takes a lot more pressure to stop. Driving home on Rt 78 and Rt 287 was no fun. I adjust the brake pedal push rod to give me a higher pedal. It feels good. A couple weeks later Joe Torrence and I headed out for the club cruise along the Delaware but only got as far as South Amboy, maybe 25 miles from home. The brakes are dragging and really hot. Flatbed the car home and readjust the push rod and the car is drivable again. Still takes a lot of foot pressure but drivable. I go back to Tom’s and we install the powerbrake booster. Warren Jablonski came by to visit and we all pile in for a test drive to Johnny’s Hot Dogs in Buttsville for lunch. Everything checks out Ok and now I’m a happy guy apologizing to Tom for doubting him. With power brakes and the metallic shoes, the car really does stop much better.
Thank you, Tom.
