100-6 Drum Brakes

[prb51]

I am looking at a very nice restored 100-6 at a distance with a reputable seller. My first car was a 100-6 back in the 60's so yes, I am older than the car. My only concern is the drums.

How well do they perform; do most keep them or convert? The car, if I buy this one, will be driven and in AZ where I live. 70 mph is in the slow lane.

Also, as to conversions, what/who is a popular kit provider? The car does have wires.

I do my own mech work and that would be a simple job given I do have a lift.

My last sojourn here was with a '56 small mouth TR3, but memories and all...you know the deal.


Pat

 

[John Turney]

I was having a hard time 20+ years ago getting springs for my BN4 drums, so I converted to 4-wheel discs, but I also have a modified 3000 Mk II engine. I used the Denis Welch kits, and a Nissan tandem dual-circuit master cylinder.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

If you plan on seriously driving the car, like taking long road trips, I think you'd want to convert at least the fronts to disk. My BN2's brakes--on a lighter car with, I believe the same/similar brake setup--are barely adequate, but that's a short local trips-only car. I have them set up to the best of my ability, and they still pull on hard braking. My BJ8's brakes are quite adequate.

 

[prb51]

Thank you gents, I suspected as much and will perform the front to discs as the first project. It appears the kits imported from England are very reasonable now with the dollar/pound.

 

[DerekJ]

The brakes on the 100-six perform well if properly adjusted and maintained, particularly for normal road driving. I had no problems descending long Alpine passes. Plus they make the car look better.

 

[prb51]

Well Derek, I will see how they perform before doing surgery.... I had drums on a Merceded 190SL that were leading shoe types and they did work very well with no issues.
This would be normal road work not track.

Thanks

 

[red57]

I agree with Derek. My 100-6 drums worked great for road use & are quite capable at panic stops in heavy traffic. It wasn't until I started racing that I felt the need for front discs - with repeated hard braking from high speeds the brakes get hotter and the pedal harder with less stopping power.

If you do decide to upgrade to discs, I suggest simply installing early 3000 front discs rather than a modern kit. I've been running early 3000 front discs for 25 years and never felt the need for any upgrade and it's still 'all in the family'.
Dave

 

[prb51]

Red, did the original type come in a kit or is it an easy job? I do my own mech work so have fabbed parts etc. I will just try out the properly set up drums tho.

 

[BoyRacer]

My first Healey was a 1958 100/6. I almost killed myself because I was driving too fast and my drum brakes were bad. That was in 1975 so I don't recall the specifics of why or how they were bad. I then bought the disc brakes from an early 3000 and installed them myself. The good thing about disc brakes is that they just bolt up. No adjustment is necessary. And, unlike drum brakes, they are self adjusting as the miles roll by.

 

[prb51]

No doubt that discs are safer/better...but I will see when I get whatever I get