The Ford Barn

Fredb_ · 07-14-2014, 08:04 PM

I am installing C&G Fords brake energizer kit on my '38 sedan. The instructions are minimal. It says to remove the adjusting screws from the backing plates. Do these have to be drilled to get the adjuster out? I have everything apart to that point. It looks like you would have to drill the ridged plate off of the adjuster to get it out, but I wanted to post the question here first. Thanks, Fred

Don Rogers · 07-14-2014, 08:18 PM

If you turn the adjuster wedge all the way clockwise it will pop the cover off of the housing and the adjuster will come out that way.

Willit Stop · 07-14-2014, 08:22 PM

I installed them on my '36 but don't know if they're the same.On mine there is a small plug on the outward side of the backing plate that is opposite the adjuster.It looks like a small soft plug.To remove it I screwed the adjuster in until it pushed the plug out then,unscrewed the adjuster.The energizers work as well if not better than Hydraulics.IMO

Fredb_ · 07-14-2014, 08:24 PM

I've got the dust cover and the adjuster internal piece out, but the kit requires that you remove the adjuster nut that goes out the backing plate. Thanks Fred

JM 35 Sedan · 07-14-2014, 10:15 PM

Maybe post a picture of what you are calling the adjuster nut. Not sure what that would be. I put brake equalizers/floaters on my '35 sedan last year. I removed the square ended adjuster wedge and dust cover like Don Rogers suggested. Everything supplied with the kit went right into place and no drilling of anything was required. Brakes now work as well as any '39-'48 Ford, with hydraulic brakes, that I have ever driven.

Fredb_ · 07-15-2014, 12:08 AM

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Yes, Don was correct, I guess I was expecting it to be harder......got the front done. Thanks guys!!

alanwoodieman · 07-22-2014, 04:14 PM

how about some pictures for us novices trying to install floater/energizers. I acquired some floaters in a box lot of ford parts and we are trying to fit them on a 34 Ford and we are confused!! instructions, drawings, pictures would sure help us. thanks

Fredb_ · 07-29-2014, 10:17 PM

OK, keep in mind I'm a bit of a rookie and although I'm somewhat a perfectionist at most things, I'm working on a "driver" here and mostly going for a roadworthy 38 sedan. I exchanged the 35-36 brake springs for the 39 springs which only need a little removed from each hooked end in order to work nicely on my 38 shoes. Once installed they can be adjusted through the hole in the back of the backing plate. I have seen a great improvement in stopping power with this roughly $70 upgrade.energizer_1.jpg

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ford38v8 · 07-29-2014, 10:46 PM

Fred, Way to go!
Now, take a cutoff wheel to the adjusters so you can reinstall them from the backside. They make perfect dustcovers and look original. Use some pipe dope to keep them from vibrating out, the threads work so smooth.
Reinstall the inner dustcover and you're done!

Fredb_ · 07-29-2014, 11:01 PM

Alan,
Thanks for the tips on cleaning up this installation!!
Fred

38 coupe · 08-01-2014, 06:27 AM

I don't see the reason for this conversion for 37-38 brakes. Converting the rod brakes ok, but the cable brakes are floating from the factory. As far as I can tell the two return springs near the adjuster have been swapped for one spring and the adjuster changed so it doesn't look factory. Not trying to step on anyone here, but what's the point?

AnthonyG · 08-01-2014, 08:15 AM

Nice pictorials, will help others on their install. Words all good pic's great.
Thx

Fredb_ · 08-02-2014, 07:01 PM

Like I said, I'm a rookie at most of this. The new adjuster has some movement that the stock did not have. With everything together you can move the entire set back and forth where the stock setup would not. I don't know for sure what this does when I apply my brakes, but the difference is very noticeable from my stock setup. I suppose if I had taken everything apart, cleaned everything and replaced any parts with the slightest wear, I could have produced the stopping power I was looking for. I'm good with my choice, but I think I will go ahead and plug the adjuster and dust cover holes. Thanks for the help. Fred.

07-14-2014, 08:04 PM	#1
Fredb_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Coos Bay, OR Posts: 648	Brake Energizer question I am installing C&G Fords brake energizer kit on my '38 sedan. The instructions are minimal. It says to remove the adjusting screws from the backing plates. Do these have to be drilled to get the adjuster out? I have everything apart to that point. It looks like you would have to drill the ridged plate off of the adjuster to get it out, but I wanted to post the question here first. Thanks, Fred

07-14-2014, 08:18 PM	#2
Don Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wildwood, MO. (near St. Louis) Posts: 1,816	Re: Brake Energizer question If you turn the adjuster wedge all the way clockwise it will pop the cover off of the housing and the adjuster will come out that way.

07-14-2014, 08:22 PM	#3
Willit Stop Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Eureka Calif. Posts: 990	Re: Brake Energizer question I installed them on my '36 but don't know if they're the same.On mine there is a small plug on the outward side of the backing plate that is opposite the adjuster.It looks like a small soft plug.To remove it I screwed the adjuster in until it pushed the plug out then,unscrewed the adjuster.The energizers work as well if not better than Hydraulics.IMO

07-14-2014, 08:24 PM	#4
Fredb_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Coos Bay, OR Posts: 648	Re: Brake Energizer question I've got the dust cover and the adjuster internal piece out, but the kit requires that you remove the adjuster nut that goes out the backing plate. Thanks Fred

07-14-2014, 10:15 PM	#5
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,876	Re: Brake Energizer question Maybe post a picture of what you are calling the adjuster nut. Not sure what that would be. I put brake equalizers/floaters on my '35 sedan last year. I removed the square ended adjuster wedge and dust cover like Don Rogers suggested. Everything supplied with the kit went right into place and no drilling of anything was required. Brakes now work as well as any '39-'48 Ford, with hydraulic brakes, that I have ever driven. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

07-15-2014, 12:08 AM	#6
Fredb_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Coos Bay, OR Posts: 648	Re: Brake Energizer question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yes, Don was correct, I guess I was expecting it to be harder......got the front done. Thanks guys!!

07-22-2014, 04:14 PM	#7
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 3,000	Re: Brake Energizer question how about some pictures for us novices trying to install floater/energizers. I acquired some floaters in a box lot of ford parts and we are trying to fit them on a 34 Ford and we are confused!! instructions, drawings, pictures would sure help us. thanks

07-29-2014, 10:46 PM	#9
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,286	Re: Brake Energizer question Fred, Way to go! Now, take a cutoff wheel to the adjusters so you can reinstall them from the backside. They make perfect dustcovers and look original. Use some pipe dope to keep them from vibrating out, the threads work so smooth. Reinstall the inner dustcover and you're done! __________________ Alan

07-29-2014, 11:01 PM	#10
Fredb_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Coos Bay, OR Posts: 648	Re: Brake Energizer question Alan, Thanks for the tips on cleaning up this installation!! Fred

08-01-2014, 06:27 AM	#11
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,042	Re: Brake Energizer question I don't see the reason for this conversion for 37-38 brakes. Converting the rod brakes ok, but the cable brakes are floating from the factory. As far as I can tell the two return springs near the adjuster have been swapped for one spring and the adjuster changed so it doesn't look factory. Not trying to step on anyone here, but what's the point?

08-01-2014, 08:15 AM	#12
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,217	Re: Brake Energizer question Nice pictorials, will help others on their install. Words all good pic's great. Thx __________________ Nomad

08-02-2014, 07:01 PM	#13
Fredb_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Coos Bay, OR Posts: 648	Re: Brake Energizer question Like I said, I'm a rookie at most of this. The new adjuster has some movement that the stock did not have. With everything together you can move the entire set back and forth where the stock setup would not. I don't know for sure what this does when I apply my brakes, but the difference is very noticeable from my stock setup. I suppose if I had taken everything apart, cleaned everything and replaced any parts with the slightest wear, I could have produced the stopping power I was looking for. I'm good with my choice, but I think I will go ahead and plug the adjuster and dust cover holes. Thanks for the help. Fred.