The Ford Barn

31 ford · 06-16-2022, 07:02 PM

The front brakes on my Model A has a "lower clovis set up". As the brakes are applied, the operating pin pushes down, making the clovis pins move horizontally which push the shoes to the drum. I realize the normal usual system has a operating wedge but mine has a "clovis set up". Anyone familiar with what i have in my front brakes vs the usual operating wedge ? Thank you.
Please refer to photo below .

DA1FFCE3-4995-424A-9522-34A65559CD88.jpg

Conaway2 · 06-16-2022, 08:25 PM

I installed a set of these on my 1930 town Sedan in the 1960s. They worked well, as I recall. I believe I bought them from either Rick’s Model A Parts, or Warshawsky’s in Chicago. They were called ‘brake floaters’.

Jim

JoeCB · 06-16-2022, 09:56 PM

If the "floaters" worked Ok, I'm surprised that Henry didn't use that instead of the more costly wedge and rollers.
Joe B

J Franklin · 06-16-2022, 10:01 PM

Those were aftermarket accessories for better braking. They work well. Flathead Ted makes a modern version.

31 ford · 06-16-2022, 10:11 PM

THANK YOU JIM , JOE B AND FRANKLIN FOR YOUR REPLY . I APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS . jack

Dave N. · 06-17-2022, 05:04 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Some info on floaters

nkaminar · 06-17-2022, 07:47 AM

I installed these in the 80's on my 29 PU when I could not get the wedge. They worked OK but added a squeak when I applied the brakes. The squeak served as a warning signal for anyone in hearing distance.

1931 flamingo · 06-17-2022, 08:10 AM

Be careful with those. IF your brakes get way out of adjustment they can have too much movement and lock-up your brakes. FWIW
Paul in CT

31 ford · 06-17-2022, 09:29 AM

THANK YOU DAVE, NKAMINAR AND PAUL. GREAT INFO AND APPRECIATE YOUR REPLIES . . . jack

Ruth · 06-17-2022, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Be careful with those. IF your brakes get way out of adjustment they can have too much movement and lock-up your brakes. FWIW
Paul in CT

Yes, they go "over center" and lock your front brakes.

katy · 06-17-2022, 10:45 AM

Quote:

"clovis set up"

I believe the word is clevis, not clovis. Clovis people are long extinct.

GeneBob · 06-17-2022, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

I believe the word is clevis, not clovis. Clovis people are long extinct.

Did they go extinct because of faulty brakes?

katy · 06-18-2022, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneBob

Did they go extinct because of faulty brakes?

Could be, one never knows who did what, when.

nkaminar · 06-18-2022, 09:51 AM

A lot of people have some Clovis DNA in them. I guess it was party time when the two groups met.

Ruth · 06-18-2022, 10:32 AM

Are you a Clovis People if you live in Clovis, California? They don't look like they are "long extinct".

Pipebndr · 06-21-2022, 02:17 PM

I had a set of them on my 29 Tudor when i bought it. Brakes felt mushy. Went back to Henry's design. Brakes felt more solid and seem to stop quicker.

31 ford · 06-21-2022, 09:55 PM

RUTH and PIPEBNDR THANK YOU . I APPRECIATE YOUR INFO. jack

06-16-2022, 07:02 PM	#1
31 ford Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 39	Front brakes The front brakes on my Model A has a "lower clovis set up". As the brakes are applied, the operating pin pushes down, making the clovis pins move horizontally which push the shoes to the drum. I realize the normal usual system has a operating wedge but mine has a "clovis set up". Anyone familiar with what i have in my front brakes vs the usual operating wedge ? Thank you. Please refer to photo below . DA1FFCE3-4995-424A-9522-34A65559CD88.jpg

06-16-2022, 08:25 PM	#2
Conaway2 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC Posts: 601	Re: Front brakes I installed a set of these on my 1930 town Sedan in the 1960s. They worked well, as I recall. I believe I bought them from either Rick’s Model A Parts, or Warshawsky’s in Chicago. They were called ‘brake floaters’. Jim

06-16-2022, 09:56 PM	#3
JoeCB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Farmington MI Posts: 284	Re: Front brakes If the "floaters" worked Ok, I'm surprised that Henry didn't use that instead of the more costly wedge and rollers. Joe B

06-16-2022, 10:01 PM	#4
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,966	Re: Front brakes Those were aftermarket accessories for better braking. They work well. Flathead Ted makes a modern version.

06-16-2022, 10:11 PM	#5
31 ford Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 39	Re: Front brakes THANK YOU JIM , JOE B AND FRANKLIN FOR YOUR REPLY . I APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS . jack

06-17-2022, 07:47 AM	#7
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,904	Re: Front brakes I installed these in the 80's on my 29 PU when I could not get the wedge. They worked OK but added a squeak when I applied the brakes. The squeak served as a warning signal for anyone in hearing distance. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

06-17-2022, 08:10 AM	#8
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Front brakes Be careful with those. IF your brakes get way out of adjustment they can have too much movement and lock-up your brakes. FWIW Paul in CT

06-17-2022, 09:29 AM	#9
31 ford Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 39	Re: Front brakes THANK YOU DAVE, NKAMINAR AND PAUL. GREAT INFO AND APPRECIATE YOUR REPLIES . . . jack

06-18-2022, 09:51 AM	#14
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,904	Re: Front brakes A lot of people have some Clovis DNA in them. I guess it was party time when the two groups met. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

06-18-2022, 10:32 AM	#15
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,339	Re: Front brakes Are you a Clovis People if you live in Clovis, California? They don't look like they are "long extinct". __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

06-21-2022, 02:17 PM	#16
Pipebndr Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 4	Re: Front brakes I had a set of them on my 29 Tudor when i bought it. Brakes felt mushy. Went back to Henry's design. Brakes felt more solid and seem to stop quicker.

06-21-2022, 09:55 PM	#17
31 ford Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 39	Re: Front brakes RUTH and PIPEBNDR THANK YOU . I APPRECIATE YOUR INFO. jack