[TR] 9" vs. 10" brakes

[Randall]

> (he says, waiting for Randall to point out an obvious omission)

Not really.  The 10" brakes do provide somewhat more stopping power (as well
as resistance to overheating), but that's exactly why the factory switched
to the 9", because they had trouble with the 10" brakes locking up too soon.

When TS39781LO came to me, it had already been converted to 9" rear brakes;
but my previous TR3A still had it's 10" brakes.  There was some difference
in front/rear balance, but IMO not enough to argue over.  And the one time I
(deliberately) overheated the brakes, it was the front discs that faded away
first.

However, I would definitely use the largest (3/4") cylinders with the 9"
drums.  Some folks source even larger cylinders (7/8" from a Morgan I think)
to get more stopping in the rear with 9" drums.

Oddly enough, I see Moss now has the 10" drums listed (in cast iron) for
$100 each, while the 9" drums are N/A.  And while new 10" shoes are more
expensive ($70/set from TRF), they will also last a long time (longer than
the 9").  Plus you can get original shoes relined for less cost; $50 for
'Kevlar' linings at TSi or $25 for 'standard' linings at my FLAPS (last time
I checked).

So I'm going to keep the 10" brakes on TS13571L, just because it doesn't
seem worth the effort to switch.  Doesn't mean I think it's wrong to
convert, just means I'm lazy <G>

Randall