S/SS Brake safety

Tom Goldman · 09-12-2017, 09:39 AM

After seeing the result of Lou Centelazzo's unfortunate crash this past weekend , Id' like to remind my S/SS friends about something I find on all too many cars I see in my shop.
Many cars ,regardless of the type of master cyl. do not have a push rod retainer or a positive brake pedal stop to prevent the pushrod from disengaging the master cyl. .
Since many cars have had the brake light switch removed there is nothing to keep the pedal from disengaging the pushrod but a small rubber retainer .
A small bracket with a stop bolt in place of the brake switch will prevent this ,just be sure to keep a small amount of clearance between the stop and pedal.
Another method that works if you have the Mopar master cyl , which most cars have is the Jerry Bickel push rod retainer kit .
This retainer is simple and will work on almost any application ,and it's only about $70 .

Billy Nees · 09-12-2017, 09:53 AM

Very good point Tom. I brought this subject up more than a few times this weekend.
For anybody interested, I brought up how to make a positive stop in the "Under the Index for Under a Grand" thread.

jmcarter · 09-12-2017, 09:57 AM

Ken Etter's crash at Fontana years ago brought this issue to the forefront for a while...good thread to remind everyone.

j gardiner · 09-12-2017, 12:18 PM

I've been there, done that. It is beyond a scary situation. You don't think it can happen until it does.

Andys dad · 09-12-2017, 12:58 PM

Why isn't it mandatory like a seat belt or helmet?

It could be covered in the tech inspections.

Ron

Doug Blackley · 09-12-2017, 01:05 PM

I made a cradle that sits just under the pushrod that even if the rod tries to come out of the piston it keeps the pushrod lined up to go back in

Bob Mulry · 09-12-2017, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andys dad

Why isn't it mandatory like a seat belt or helmet?

It could be covered in the tech inspections.

Ron

Tech inspection HA HA HA HA

NHRA Tech management is trying to cut expenses, not to protect the well being of the membership...

Tom Goldman · 09-12-2017, 02:47 PM

Here's a stop I put on a early Mustang that's in the shop .
Like Billy said ,only a couple of bucks of bolts and stock.

Travis Miller · 09-12-2017, 03:42 PM

Simple test you can do yourself.

Reach down and pull your brake pedal up toward you to see if it comes high enough to let the rod fall out of the master cylinder.

Frank Castros · 09-12-2017, 03:48 PM

I hope Lou is okay.

09-12-2017, 09:39 AM	#1
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,468 Likes: 874 Liked 838 Times in 232 Posts	S/SS Brake safety After seeing the result of Lou Centelazzo's unfortunate crash this past weekend , Id' like to remind my S/SS friends about something I find on all too many cars I see in my shop. Many cars ,regardless of the type of master cyl. do not have a push rod retainer or a positive brake pedal stop to prevent the pushrod from disengaging the master cyl. . Since many cars have had the brake light switch removed there is nothing to keep the pedal from disengaging the pushrod but a small rubber retainer . A small bracket with a stop bolt in place of the brake switch will prevent this ,just be sure to keep a small amount of clearance between the stop and pedal. Another method that works if you have the Mopar master cyl , which most cars have is the Jerry Bickel push rod retainer kit . This retainer is simple and will work on almost any application ,and it's only about $70 . Attached Images __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

09-12-2017, 09:53 AM	#2
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,473 Likes: 3,564 Liked 7,594 Times in 1,718 Posts	Re: S/SS Brake safety Very good point Tom. I brought this subject up more than a few times this weekend. For anybody interested, I brought up how to make a positive stop in the "Under the Index for Under a Grand" thread. __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm OK..........it's everybody else.

09-12-2017, 09:57 AM	#3
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,273 Likes: 2,305 Liked 3,099 Times in 954 Posts	Re: S/SS Brake safety Ken Etter's crash at Fontana years ago brought this issue to the forefront for a while...good thread to remind everyone. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

09-12-2017, 12:18 PM	#4
j gardiner Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: waldorf Posts: 220 Likes: 14 Liked 53 Times in 28 Posts	Re: S/SS Brake safety I've been there, done that. It is beyond a scary situation. You don't think it can happen until it does.

09-12-2017, 12:58 PM	#5
Andys dad VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arcadia, Ca Posts: 1,571 Likes: 48 Liked 175 Times in 78 Posts	Re: S/SS Brake safety Why isn't it mandatory like a seat belt or helmet? It could be covered in the tech inspections. Ron __________________ time is our most precious resource, you can always make more money but you can never make more time spend your time wisely with the ones you love - Ron Durham

09-12-2017, 01:05 PM	#6
Doug Blackley Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Hanover, MA Posts: 430 Likes: 3 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: S/SS Brake safety I made a cradle that sits just under the pushrod that even if the rod tries to come out of the piston it keeps the pushrod lined up to go back in __________________ Doug Blackley 1697 STK

09-12-2017, 02:47 PM	#8
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,468 Likes: 874 Liked 838 Times in 232 Posts	Re: S/SS Brake safety Here's a stop I put on a early Mustang that's in the shop . Like Billy said ,only a couple of bucks of bolts and stock. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

09-12-2017, 03:42 PM	#9
Travis Miller Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 478 Likes: 1 Liked 276 Times in 27 Posts	Re: S/SS Brake safety Simple test you can do yourself. Reach down and pull your brake pedal up toward you to see if it comes high enough to let the rod fall out of the master cylinder.

09-12-2017, 03:48 PM	#10
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,933 Likes: 2,509 Liked 2,552 Times in 934 Posts	Re: S/SS Brake safety I hope Lou is okay.