The Ford Barn

coatings03 · 05-12-2018, 04:30 PM

Hello everybody: question about Flathead Ted’s delux version brake floater system. On the front brakes should the top Long spring be installed?

Thanks,
Your help is appreciated.
Jim m

daveymc29 · 05-12-2018, 06:15 PM

coatings03, timely topic. I hope you get a lot of good information, I'm going to buy the de luxe kit myself. If you wish to talk to an expert on them, call Bob Grady 925 933 1154.The deluxe version is all he will use on jobs he performs. He's in Pleasant Hill, CA, nice person. Randy Gross near you may also be of help, I haven't talked to him about the Flathead Ted stuff, but maybe?

bettlesr · 05-12-2018, 08:46 PM

I have Flathead Teds deluxe kit in my '30. I put a spring in the top, but a much lighter than the stock one.

gary678* · 05-12-2018, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coatings03

Hello everybody: question about Flathead Ted’s delux version brake floater system. On the front brakes should the top Long spring be installed?

Thanks,
Your help is appreciated.
Jim m

I have Flatheads Teds Deluxe set of floaters. I emailed him about removing the top spring on the front brakes. He replied quickly and said definitely remove the top spring; I did and there was immediate improvement. Also, please be aware that the brakes are a series of components; all have to be properly in sync for the brakes to function effectively. Floaters are not a quick fix, just one part of a well performing system.

CarlG · 05-12-2018, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveymc29

coatings03, timely topic. .... Randy Gross near you may also be of help, I haven't talked to him about the Flathead Ted stuff, but maybe?

I talked to Randy Gross about using the Flathead Ted kit on my brakes that he just rebuilt for me. His comment was in effect: "Why?" So I still have my unused kit in the box on the shelf.

Dick Steinkamp · 05-12-2018, 09:46 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

I talked to Randy Gross about using the Flathead Ted kit on my brakes that he just rebuilt for me. His comment was in effect: "Why?" So I still have my unused kit in the box on the shelf.

The "why" is because there is a huge improvement in braking performance and reduction in required pedal pressure over stock brakes if installed and set up per Ted's instructions.

Synchro909 · 05-13-2018, 01:34 AM

I have a friend in the US who has worked on more Model As than I'm ever likely to even see. He says he has been asked to remove more of those brake setups than he can remember.
I have no experience with them, just repeating what he says.

quickchange · 05-13-2018, 04:25 AM

I also have a friend in USA ( maybe same guy ) same thing . but I told him send me all the ones you take out , so far none turned up, I like them & use the std kit , no they won,t fix stuffed brakes, but sure as hell improve good brakes , watch north islands clubs video , So all those who don,t like them send them to me ill pay the freight ,

Synchro909 · 05-13-2018, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickchange

I also have a friend in USA ( maybe same guy ) same thing . but I told him send me all the ones you take out , so far none turned up, I like them & use the std kit , no they won,t fix stuffed brakes, but sure as hell improve good brakes , watch north islands clubs video , So all those who don,t like them send them to me ill pay the freight ,

I'm sure it is the same guy. As I said, I have no experience with them so I'll believe just about anything.

Bob Bidonde · 05-13-2018, 07:56 AM

I have 2 Model A's, one with Flathead Ted's brake floaters and one with recently restored stock brakes. By far, Flathead Ted's brake floaters are superior.

Pmsqrd · 05-13-2018, 09:09 AM

I second Bob’s comment.

Synchro909 · 05-13-2018, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

I have 2 Model A's, one with Flathead Ted's brake floaters and one with recently restored stock brakes. By far, Flathead Ted's brake floaters are superior.

You can't please all of the people all of the time, they say. Some will like them, some not. I have been told they are good so long as they are kept in adjustment. I suspect those who don't like them have allowed the adjustments to wander.

Steve Rinaldo · 05-13-2018, 07:55 PM

They are PITA to install for minimum gain. Think again.

Bill G · 05-13-2018, 08:29 PM

I have a set ready to install. Everything I have read says to eliminate the top long spring as it defeats the self actualizing feature if used. I have no opinion on them since I jut got them and they are still in the box.

jerry shook · 05-15-2018, 12:53 PM

Leave the top spring off. I have two A"s with flat head ted"s brakes an they are great a lot better then original brakes.

05-12-2018, 04:30 PM	#1
coatings03 Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Seal beach,CA Posts: 68	Flathead Ted brakes Hello everybody: question about Flathead Ted’s delux version brake floater system. On the front brakes should the top Long spring be installed? Thanks, Your help is appreciated. Jim m

05-12-2018, 06:15 PM	#2
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,553	Re: Flathead Ted brakes coatings03, timely topic. I hope you get a lot of good information, I'm going to buy the de luxe kit myself. If you wish to talk to an expert on them, call Bob Grady 925 933 1154.The deluxe version is all he will use on jobs he performs. He's in Pleasant Hill, CA, nice person. Randy Gross near you may also be of help, I haven't talked to him about the Flathead Ted stuff, but maybe?

05-12-2018, 08:46 PM	#3
bettlesr Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Florham Park, NJ Posts: 396	Re: Flathead Ted brakes I have Flathead Teds deluxe kit in my '30. I put a spring in the top, but a much lighter than the stock one. __________________ 1965 Lotus Elan S2 1930 Model A Sport Coupe

05-13-2018, 01:34 AM	#7
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Flathead Ted brakes I have a friend in the US who has worked on more Model As than I'm ever likely to even see. He says he has been asked to remove more of those brake setups than he can remember. I have no experience with them, just repeating what he says. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

05-13-2018, 04:25 AM	#8
quickchange Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nelson. New Zealand Posts: 2,008	Re: Flathead Ted brakes I also have a friend in USA ( maybe same guy ) same thing . but I told him send me all the ones you take out , so far none turned up, I like them & use the std kit , no they won,t fix stuffed brakes, but sure as hell improve good brakes , watch north islands clubs video , So all those who don,t like them send them to me ill pay the freight ,

05-13-2018, 07:56 AM	#10
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,464	Re: Flathead Ted brakes I have 2 Model A's, one with Flathead Ted's brake floaters and one with recently restored stock brakes. By far, Flathead Ted's brake floaters are superior. __________________ Bob Bidonde

05-13-2018, 09:09 AM	#11
Pmsqrd Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 216	Re: Flathead Ted brakes I second Bob’s comment.

05-13-2018, 07:55 PM	#13
Steve Rinaldo Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 89	Re: Flathead Ted brakes They are PITA to install for minimum gain. Think again.

05-13-2018, 08:29 PM	#14
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,045	Re: Flathead Ted brakes I have a set ready to install. Everything I have read says to eliminate the top long spring as it defeats the self actualizing feature if used. I have no opinion on them since I jut got them and they are still in the box.

05-15-2018, 12:53 PM	#15
jerry shook Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 516	Re: Flathead Ted brakes Leave the top spring off. I have two A"s with flat head ted"s brakes an they are great a lot better then original brakes.