DeTomaso Mailing List: February 1997, Message #180
     



From: MikeLDrew@aol.com

Subject: Re: brakes

Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 13:08:35 -0500 (EST)



Capt Mike Drew

150 Westgate Dr.

San Francisco, CA  94127



Home/FAX:   (415) 334-7860



E-mail:  MikeLDrew@aol.com





Brian wrote:



I am trying to improve the braking on a very tight budget, around

$500.   If the stock system is in top notch condition, will it be

enough for my needs?  I am wondering if the stock system can be fixed.

If so, what needs to be replaced.  What about replacing the

master cylinder and booster? Will this alleviate the problem.



I've heard a lot of different opinions and I need to know my options

in laymans terms.







Brian,



Of course, first I'd start by thoroughly bleeding the brakes, flushing the

entire system (something that should be done every two or three years

anyway.)  Remember to begin with the right rear, the furthest away from the

master cylinder, in accordance with the factory shop manual instructions.



If things are still marginal, then lucky you, you get to start spending

money!



Jack DeRyke addressed this issue fairly recently in a POCA newsletter

article.  Panteras have a curious braking system, incorporating a

proportioning valve which restricts pressure to the front brakes by 70% or

something ridiculous like that.  I think Jack recommends removing this

proportioning valve entirely, the brakes work much better without it.  This

just involves a bit of dinking with a flaring tool and making a new line or

two, not a big bucks proposition.



>From there, I'd call up Pantera Performance Center and order up one of their

master cylinders.  Most vendors sell upgrade kits, usually consisting of a

modern Ford or GM master cylinder and a machined adapter to adapt it to the

Pantera's booster.  PPC's is nicely machined, with a nice DeTomaso logo

zizzed into the top, and you KNOW it's going to fit right and work, right out

of the box.



For basic street driving, this should probably do the trick, and get you by

for just under the $500 cap.  If Jack doesn't respond to this in the next few

days, bug him at JDeRyke@aol.com for a recap of his earlier recommendations

on this topic.



It might be possible to rebuild the stock master cylinder, but nobody that I

know of sells a kit.  Factory replacement units are available, but they cost

a fortune, still aren't readily rebuildable, and might not work as well as

the aftermarket units.



Good luck,



Mike