DeTomaso Mailing List: February 98, Message #2
     



From: 	MikeLDrew@aol.com

Subject: Re:  Re:  Brakes

Date: 	Sun, 1 Feb 1998 00:13:28 +0000



George wrote:



>Can any of you guys who have installed them on your cars give me any info

on availability, installation, etc?



>>>I actually have quite a bit of personal experience with these things.



Wilwood makes a terrific adjustable proportioning valve which uses a knob to

adjust line pressure.  It is infinitely variable, from 100% (i.e. no

restriction) down to 43% (57% restriction.)



This same valve is marketed by several different outfits, including Ford

Motorsport and Summit.  I think I paid around $50 for my Wilwood-marked unit;

Summit sells it under its own name for $39.50.



It's a pretty simple proposition, with an inlet and outlet fitting.  To use

it, you simply cut the hard brake line that you wish to reduce pressure on,

shorten the line just enough to fit the valve in, then flare the ends and

install fittings which let you thread the line into the valve.



Typically, these things are used to reduce line pressure to the rear brakes.

 When I converted to rear discs on my GT-350, I had to install this valve.

 My Cobra, with its Wilwood front brakes and stock Jaguar rears, also needs

the valve.  In both cases, mine are set up to restrict pressure to the rear.



In your case, it sounds like your FRONT brakes are doing all the work; thus

you'd install the valve in your front line.  Once you've got it installed,

you have to set it so the fronts lock just prior to the rears.



Find a nice deserted piece of road, and adjust the valve to restrict more and

more fluid until the rears start locking up first, then back it off a few

turns, and you're set.



On both my cars, the brakes were initially set up with too much front bias.

 Eventually I performed the above adjustment technique (increasing pressure

to the rears until they started to lock first, then reducing it slightly),

and the result was markedly improved braking performance.



Good luck!



Mike