How Safe Are Drums?

when I bought my '65 Chevy, I had all the drum brakes replaced, and many people have been surprised at how quickly it can stop, especially being a huge heavy car (Caprice).

Would disk brakes *significantly* increase the safety factor (quick stopping ability) here, or not?

I make it a practice to never tailgate anyone and I am in all ways a safe driver, but since my car is large, heavy, and fast, I feel a responsibility to pedestrians, other drivers, cats and squirrels, etc. to make my car able to stop quickly.

Any opinions on this?

Drums are great. Only reason to go to disks is they are pretty and easier to change shoes on (I assume manufacturers go to them because they are cheaper to build - follow the money trail!). They reportedly fade less in very high output applications but if you don't plan doing any Grand National races in the near future, you should be perfectly safe. Only safety upgrade that would be recommended is a dual master sylinder but the single jugs have done just fine for many decades. If you go to disks you will likly need a power booster too 'cause they need more pressure to operate.

Thanks Willys!

That is a load off my mind. I certainly don't have the extra money to spend if it's not a neccessary conversion.

I might look into that dual master cylinder setup though. Do you know of any sources for those?

I have drum brakes on 2 0f my cars and disc brakes on all 4 wheels on 2 more cars. To be honest with you in regular driving situations I can't tell that much differnce in the two. If the discs get hot enough they will fade but it takes them longer to heat up so there is a slight advantage there. The cost to rebuild calipers and repace rotors is much higher and the pedal is usually lower when you apply the brakes. I would leave the drum brakes on there if it were me.

That dual master cylinder is a good idea. I actually had the rear brakes fail one time, and if it hadn't been for the dual master cylinder I would not be here now to tell you about it. The pedal went all the way to the floor. I started pumping the pedal the front brakes grabed and I was able to get the car stopped. close call.

Look in Hemmings for parts dealers for your year Chevy. There are always clubs and specialty parts dealers for any car you can think of. If yours was a '55, 56', '57, you by all means should have joined Classic Chevy International club. Can literally build a complete classic car from their catalog and they are a wealth of knowleged about restoration. I would even contact them about your brake needs 'cause a lot fo Chevy stuff is interchangeable over the years and evenif not, they surely could aim you in the right direction. They are in Florida , 407-299-1957.

I am pretty sure dual master cylinders became standard issue in the late 60's so there MUST be some off the shelf unit that fits your car.

thanks again!

I'll check in my Impala Bob's catalog.