I couldn't find a useable set of these front brake scoops, so I made these out of some stainles steel and aluminum screen. Notice that this is designed to force the air into the brake drum area through the hole in the backing plate. There is another hole on the other side of the axle to let the air out. Apparently these scoops were often pulled off because they brought in as much water in the rain as they did air.
The brake shoes should be here this week, so I'll be able to finish the front brake assemblies.
Good to know that your brakes will stay nice and wet. What's your reasoning on the need to fab and include - simply going as original as possible, or the added cooling capabilities with these notoriously willing to overheat brakes.
ReplyDeleteThoughts of swapping later XK150/E-Type discs in lieu of the drums? I suppose as much as anything it would depend on your intended usage and frequency thereof.
And tangentially related - a recent scan from the September 1956 Car Life magazine:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/zachz/5355847426/
Couple thoughts, Zach. If I want to keep the steel wheels and spats rather than the wires (and I do), then the front brakes have to be replaced with the MK IX front brakes. I have priced them from a few scrappers and find that $1400 (lowest cost)for a set that needs a complete rebuild is a bit much to swallow. Unfortunately, they have figured out what they are being used for. If the drums prove to be bad they can still be changed out in the future. As far as the scoops, this car will never again be in the rain as long as I own it so that is not an issue and I gotta believe that the scoops help in cooling even if only a little. And they were sorta fun to figure out and make.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that the article on the 140 brings to memory the old articles about the tests on the 120. I don't recall ever that the 120 was slighted on the design of the brakes until it was rallied hard in competition. And then it was fade from being hot so again the scoops might help. As I recall, the most often stated shortcomings were the leg space, trans, and the top and sidecurtains in the rain. Could be wrong, but that is what I remember.