No, it's not normal, but may be tough to diagnose by email. You should
be able to lock all four wheels at will. Firm pedal is a good first sign.
Are the pads (front and/or rear) glazed? Rear drums within tolerance?
I know you don't want to drive it in the present condition but can you
get it up to speed and do five or more stops from 50 mph or so just to
make sure the brakes are bedded in?
- Bob
Richard Garretson wrote:
> Guys,
>
> Would like to ask what you guys think.
>
> Currently doing a rolling restoration on a 66 SPL-311 after 27 years of
> garage stowage.
>
> The very first thing I focused on was the brales, repalced everything
> new cleaned out the lines, replaced all the rubber lines ect. The
> rotors were retained but machined flat, I did measure carefully and
> they are within the liimits ect. No leaks at all & air bled out pedal
> is firm.
>
> The brakes are adjusted ect & work smooth but do not have very
> impressive stopping power at all. I think I could put two hands on the
> wheel, lift my butt off the seat and still not come close to ever
> locking up the wheels, not that I would want to they just don't seem
> like they would be real great in a panic stop.
>
> My question is, as I have not driven any other roadster ever & have been
> accostomed to modern power assist, anti-lock ect does this sound like I
> could have weak brakes or is this normal for the Roadster?
>
> My recolection from 28 years ago now was that they were much better back
> in the day than now,
>
> What do you guys think?
>
> Regards
>
> Rick Garretson
> 66' 1600
>
>
>
>> From: RWM <RWM@rwmann.com>
>> Reply-To: RWM <RWM@rwmann.com>
>> To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
>> Subject: Re: Wilwood big brake kit!
>> Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 09:59:32 -0400
>>
>> Formatting issue. Better late than ......
>>
>>
>>
>> Paul wrote:
>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>
>>>
>>>> <>I considered modifying the braking system of my roadster after I
>>>> ran out of brakes at Turn 2 at Laguna Seca. That experience started
>>>> my search for better brakes, which culminated in my decision to buy
>>>> a big brake kit.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I always wonder 'why' when I read complaints about roadster brakes. At
>>> Sloan Racing, both roadsters run stock calipers and rotors and we don't
>>> suffer brake fade. Both cars weigh in at about 2100 pounds and we
>>> race on
>>> slicks twice the size of the biggest street tire you can fit under a
>>> stock
>>> fender. We race at Nelson Ledges, MidOhio, and BeaveRun.
>>> I used one of the SCCA G Production prepared cars for a SCCA drivers
>>> school. We ran 6 twenty minute sessions both Saturday and Sunday at
>>> Nelson
>>> Ledges. The track is a 2.1 mile, 13 turn road course and is
>>> considered one
>>> of the fastest tracks in this part of the country. Never had
>>> problems with
>>> the brakes. And I can assure you, that as a rookie, I used and
>>> abused them.
>>> I think a Wilwood conversion is cool and I'm sure bigger rotors with
>>> multiple pistons can stop the car quicker, but I'm not sure most drivers
>>> need them.
>>>
>>> Just my 2 cents (and probably worth less!)
>>>
>>> Paul Kort
>>> Ohio
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> I have to wonder the same, Paul.
>>
>> The Sharp, Manzolini, Zahrouiko, Lorenzutti et al cars made decent
>> power, ran stock rotors and calipers (because they had to under C, D
>> and G Production Car Specs), never ran with more than "green stuff"
>> compound pads, yet didn't run out of brakes at places like Bryar,
>> Thompson, Bridgehampton, Lime Rock and The Glen.
>>
>> For the same reason, never understood the rationale for the Volvo
>> conversion.
>>
>> - Bob Mann, '68 2000 Solex
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