Classic/Antique Car Repair: 66 Ford Galaxy, brake problems

Question
QUESTION: I have a 66 ford Galaxy 500 convertible.  Two things 1)sometimes the gear shifter gets into a position where in order to start the car I have to toglle between P and R or put it in N.  How do I hfix this and what will I need?  2) the brakes seem to be going.  I have to press extremely hard on the brake pedal for her to stop. Can you help?  I have put fluid in.  

Thanks Lionel Lee

ANSWER: Hello Lionel,

Beautiful car--I'm old enough to have ridden in one when they were new! (Aa a kid--I'm not that ancient!!)

Your issues appear to be typical old car stuff, the later requiring immediate attention:

1) The gear shifter issue is most likely due to wear in the linkage. Some adjustment may be possible (see your shop manual) but parts replacement or rebuilding may be necessary. Check out denniscarpenter.com for parts and support for your car.

2) YOU'VE GOT A SIGNIFICANT BRAKE PROBLEM--DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL RESOLVED! From the symptoms you describe, you've got air in your brake lines requiring "bleeding" or a failing master cylinder or both.

You didn't mention the brake fluid level in the master in your note, but if you had to add fluid to an empty or nearly empty master cylinder, that will tend to support the air in line diagnosis. Your next step is to determine if there's a fluid leak either at the master, lines or wheel cylinders. Check underneath the car to see if/where any brake leaks are. Diagnosing a brake problem like this is like peeling back an onion--each layer reveals another. Good news is that most of the parts you need to fix it will be available at your local, full service auto parts store like NAPA, etc.

Again, don't drive the car until you've resolved this problem. Unless your car has been converted, you have a single circuit master meaning that if the main systems fails, there's no safety or backup system. Sudden and complete brake failure could result!


Thanks for your question and drive safely!

Bob       

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Bob,
Thank you for the timely reply.  I did not drive it to work today due to your warning.  I live in Seattle (lots of hills).  When I check my Brake fluid level is always full.  Does this mean that the master cylinder is failing?

Thanks

Answer
Hello Lionel,

Sorry for the delayed reply--had a problem with my daugther's '81 Volvo--another old csr!!You're wise to part the car temporarily--brakes are more important than how the car runs!

You're straining my ability to diagnose a problem sight unseen, but I'll do my best to give you a few ideas:

1) It's a good sign that your master cylinder level is holding steady--you still may have some seepage and marginal seals worth checking out but it allows us to set this aside temporsrily.

2) Your description of the extremely hard pedal gave me a couple of ideas:
  
    --Do you have power brakes? If you do, check the vacuum hose and fitting to the brake booster and the brake booster itself for proper operation. Power Brakes work from intake manifold vacuum. If this hose is rotted, broken or blocked,or the diaphram in the booster perforated, could cause the condition you describe.

    --Have you pulled the drums/inspected the rotors for rotor/drum wear and/or pad/lining wear? Worn or maladjusted drums (disc brakes self-adjust) could also cause this condition.

    --Finally, and least likely, is that you have extremely hard pad/lining friction material. Particulalrly in drum brake cars, something called "metallic or semi metallic) linings could have been used due to their superior fade resistance on Seattle's hills. The unfortunate downside is that metallic linings brake poorly when cold, that's why they used to be used primarily on high speed or heavy load conditions for ploice cars, taxi's etc. It's a long shot, I agree, but anything is possible on an old car!

Due to the multiplicity of possible causes, I do recommend a complete brake analysis by a knowledgable specialist, not a parts changer. There are brake specialty places and even places like Midas or Mieneke may have a good brake specialist on board who knows the older cars. Most places offer evaluations for free.......

Good luck,

Bob