Re: [Amc-list] Classic Brakes

[Joe Fulton <piper_pa20@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

My advice is get a copy of the Technical Service Manual for your car.  It will have the wiring diagram and you should be able to troubleshoot your temperature gauge.  I had a 62 Classic wagon for awhile but scrapped it due to rust (my mistake, it could have been fixed).   1962 was the first year for the dual master cylinder.  I know that repair kits for that master cylinder were very hard to find (I looked.).

The previous owner may have put the wrong master cylinder with a different piston bore size in the car.  A different bore size will make a diffence in the required pedal pressure I think.  It's been argued about (excuse me, discussed) here on the list before.  Also check to see if the master cylinder rod is in the lowest attachment hole on the brake pedal arm.  That will produce more leverage and reduce your pedal pressure.  I'd recommend pulling the drums and having a look to see if the shoes and drums and clean and dry or if there's oil or brake fluid contamination.

Joe Fulton



--- On Fri, 10/24/08, mask1966@xxxxxxx <mask1966@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: mask1966@xxxxxxx <mask1966@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Amc-list] Classic Brakes
> To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Friday, October 24, 2008, 8:01 AM
> Hey Guys,
> I finally picked up the '62 Rambler Classic Custom I
> bought a few of 
> weeks ago. It is everything and more (41K original miles is
> very nice 
> condition) I hoped for. It has it's problems, but the
> one I find the 
> most disturbing is the brakes or lack of. The master
> cylinder was 
> rebuilt last year and wheel cylinders replaced the year
> before, but the 
> braking is poor at best. It takes a lot of pedal pressure
> just to slow 
> down at city speeds. Road speeds are really scary. It has
> manual brakes 
> (no power) and does not pull either left or right. It just
> takes a long 
> time to slow down. Is this the norm for this model or do I
> have a 
> problem? How does your braking compare? I thought with a
> dual M/C and 
> new W/C, this thing should stop at least as good as my
> '53 Ford and '65 
> Chevy with drums. Give a new AMC owner a little help before
> I rear end 
> someone.
> 
> Also my temp gauge does not work. A previous owner
> installed an 
> accessory type gauge under the dash, but I would like to
> fix the stock 
> unit and get rid of the after market junk. Is the stock
> gauge electric 
> or bourdon tube type? How should I start to check it
> out/fix it?
> 
> I appreciate any and all help I can get with these
> problems. I know 
> there are years of experience working with AMC iron out
> there. Thanks 
> again.
> 
> Mike Klepp
> '62 Rambler Classic Custom
> '65 Chevy C-10
> '53 Ford Customline
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