Morris Minor Owners Club

If anyone is interested there are a set of Riley1.5 front brakes on ebay. These are a straight swop for Minor ones, however you will need Riley flexible hoses.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 4633022458
I have nothing to do with these brakes.


Have just worked out the following ;-

Riley front shoes 39.4 sq ins lining area.

Minor front shoes 23.26sq ins lining area.

Thats 59% increase. Not bad eh!.
Ian.

Ian, these brakes seem to be just what I am looking for, are they really a straight swop? The 59% increase in stopping power is really worth thinking about.Ryan.

Riley front shoes 39.4 sq ins lining area.

Minor front shoes 23.26sq ins lining area.

Thats 59% increase.

The surface area increases the heat capacity, not the actual braking power, however it is pretty important as this affects how much braking is possible before they fade.

As regards braking 'power' this should be linear - i.e ~13% increase, however 'braking capacity' I'm fairly sure (although not 100%) that the square rule applies so all things being equal, it'll give 42% more braking capacity when comapring 9" vs 8" drums.

that's all technical semantics, however, but there's no arguing with the fact that the 9" drums are much much better than 8"

It's more to do with the additional radius the shoes are contacting the drum on - this and the bigger shoe contact area DOES increase the possible braking power - but once the wheels are locked there is no more to go anyway - and these can lock the wheels on a dry road without too much effort - and that's without a servo or any fiddling with the master cylinder seals! The Wolseley brakes have slightly smaller shoes than the Riley (slightly narrower) - but still on the larger 9" drums - so they get the benefit of the extra radius. Mine certainly stop the car over and over on long fast downhill runs (on rally we do each year) - and absolutely no sign of fading or nasty smells ! Previous years on same route - the 8" drums had faded away to almost nothing and the burning smell was very embarrasing !! Also quickly developed long pedal - not so with the Wolseley drums - still not had to re-adjust them !!

and absolutely no sign of fading or nasty smells

Interesting point there. I've just got my Wolseley 1500 brakes and noticed that the wheel mating face is not flush across the whole diameter like a Minor. It's angled in towards the hub and this may contribute to better cooling and reduced fade as BMC states.

Dunno - could argue that heat transfer to the wheel would be better with the 'flush' fit. Have you got these brakes on the car PT ?

Nope, not on the car yet. I'm going to give the whole lot a thorough clean first. BMC, do you know if the Wolseley cylinders are the same as Minor or if I can get a seal kit for them?

do you know if the Wolseley cylinders are the same as Minor

they are pretty much the same, except for the most important bit - the interfaces!! Therefore the Minor cylinders are not a direct replacement.
Based on the age/condition of the cylinders you may want to replace them however new ones cost an arm and a leg compared to Minor ones.
You can fit the Minor cylinders if you modify the backplates (welding and re-drilling). If you fit Minor cylinders then you don't have to worry about using the non-Minor flexi hoses too

Minor cylinders are same diameter - but - stupidly! - slightly different fitment to the backplate. I did the job in about 30 mins each cylinder - one of the holes can be used - the slot needs extending - and then the other hole needs spotting through. The Wolseley cylinders use the standard Minor flexi hose ok - it's the Riley ones that are different - I don't know how different - but wanderinstar knows - how found out the hard way!

one of the holes can be used - the slot needs extending - and then the other hole needs spotting through.

did I read that correct? i.e. You did it without welding up where it breaks through into the unused hole?
I was wondering (as that reduces the effort) if that would last long enough without cracking due to the high stresses from the cylinder to the backplate.
Ho many miles have you done so far with it done that way?

No - I did weld it up, but to be honest I think it would be ok without - really very little welding involved.

No - I did weld it up, but to be honest I think it would be ok without

yeah - I was wondering exactly the same but I probably wouldn't try it myself. Thought you may have though.
Ray.

Since the gas bottles are right beside my 'bench' - it only took a couple of minutes!

Well somebodies bidding on these, dont know if they are from this forum or not. But there worth having. I got a brand new set of cylinders on ebay for about £70.
Ian.

Are you going for these Ian ? Not too far from you - Derby ? I would bid - but he says for collection only - I assume you can manage a wee 'detour' through Derby without too much trouble !! Is he correct when he says the adjusters are through the backplate ?

Yes thats right, actually there is a set of Motobrand adjusters on ebay going for a tenner. You bid on them Roy and I,ll get them up to you. If seller is prepared to meet me somewhere. You cant get 44 ton artic where you can get a car.
Ian.

Yes, you adjust as described. I remember fitting a kit of replacement adjusters because the old ones had rounded off - don't know if you can still get them. I also fitted A60 shoes as they were far easier to get, and were slightly wider than the Riley. I fitted the brakes onto wife's minor when I put marina discs on mine, but added a servo for her - quite sharp when cold if I remember (wife too ).

Pete

Pete.
Have often wondered, is that your missus on the other site among the bikes.
Ian,

Ian,
What one of the many? Unfortunately wife is not into bikes in any way, and doesn't attend any of the runs. She used to go to custom car runs years ago, but outgrew the hobby pretty quick, so I'm on my own, or with mates when I attend. Young ladies are just girls who want photographed with bikes (and they're young enough to be my daughter - wish I was in my 20's again)

Pete

Ha Ha! and theres me getting all jealous of you, especially that bird with your bike club across her nether regions.
Ian.