What do you think about using a line lock as a parking brake?

[fastfredracing]

I'm trying to finish up on an aborted hot rod project that one of my customers bought. It is a 64 falcon with a 302, an s 10 borg t 10 5 speed, manual , mustang disc brakes etc..
It is really hodge podged , and half arsed together. It will be a nice car though. today, after 4 days, of fabricating, and head scratching, I finally got the power, dual master cylinder, all fabbed up, and fitted to the fire wall, and mated to the pedal, while doing a pretty good job of hiding the last guys sins. They were using a power brake booster, and master from a geo metro. It was butchered in there, and just not up to the task at hand.
I now have the manual parking brake all hooked up to the handle that is in the car, but due to the different leverages and angles etc of the two different systems, , it just does not hold that great.
My brain storm today, was just to install a line lock into the system, and walla, problem solved. It would still retain the mechanical parking brake as well.
What do you think?

[oldE]

I used to use line locks on some delivery trucks 30 years ago. They are very simple and not the ideal solution for all.

If there is a leak (or air) in the system, you can have failure to hold.
If the driver brakes to a stop on an incline and "sets" the brake, it may not hold after the drums cool.
You have no "emergency brake" function.
As long as the customer knows they are not a direct replacement for a separate circuit, it will do.

Best
Les

[LWJ]

As someone who works in insurance this is exactly the type of thing that results in claims / lawsuits. Please don't. It would be his idiot kid who didn't set the brake. You would pay. Just saying.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by LWJ

As someone who works in insurance this is exactly the type of thing that results in claims / lawsuits. Please don't. It would be his idiot kid who didn't set the brake. You would pay. Just saying.

Bingo.

[fastfredracing]

Pretty much exactly what I was thinking. I spent my last few hours of the day monkeying with the mechanical p brake. . I think I can make it work by modifying the lever that is underneath. It is all homemade, and attached to the aftermarket trans mount, so a little cutting and welding won't be to heinous .
Since we all like pictures ....

[ODDJOB UNO]

a bunch of horse sheet here. line locks have been and ARE STILL USED on mutiple class offroad vehicles. i have one on my score legal class 8 chevy which weighs a hell of alot MORE than the falcon does. 13 years ago we were oem disc in front and drums in rear, than we upgraded and added some blazer rear disc brakes and then finally 2 years ago we went with brand new WILWOODS all the way around.

why do we have a line lock? due to roll cage the e-brake lever on left footwell no longer would fit due to roll cage tubing coming down at that point mounting to frame of vehicle.

we had a linelock on our score 1/2-1600 car. worked perfect never have had an issue with either vehicle and the dreaded "line lock"


and also doing e-brake stops or turning brake stops..............is damn good way to get yerself all feeked up OFFROAD playing the "fast and furious". unless of course yer a "DUNER GOONER" with some play buggy. yeah turning brakes unless its a rally car really dont rank up there as important, unless of course ya need one more component to fail and another thing to richard with even in a rally car.

i would suggest getting all new wheel cylinders/master cylinder/ and making sure all yer fittings are correct and TIGHT and NOT STRIPPED! but then we replaced all brake lines with new/new master cylinder/new WILWOODS all around, new proportioning valve, new booster...................and i can park that damn thing on a 45 degree angle and it aint going anywhere.

[mreid]

Horse sheet? Is that your perspective on the factual opinions of others?

This has been covered at length by multiple car forums over the years for STREET driven vehicles. The parking brake is also an emergency brake. You know, for let's say when your mc or hydraulic lines fail? A line lock requires you to depress the brake pedal to build pressure and then set the lock to hold that pressure. It is usually used in the front brakes for its stated purpose, but I guess you would use it in the rear circuit for your proposed use, but I would not as you would not have a back up plan and would be libel in a brake related accident. Not a good idea!

[Baz]

I still say those vintage cars are a whole lot cooler looking than any so-called muscle car of today.

Look at that styling!

[jyl]

This is a street car that will be driven by an idiot and his idiot son and then sold to bigger idiots, all of whom will know who to sue when anything goes wrong that even smells like the line lock. That's how you have to think about it. What people do with race cars is utterly irrelevant.

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by Baz

I still say those vintage cars are a whole lot cooler looking than any so-called muscle car of today.

Look at that styling!

What I find amusing is that the falcon was an econobox for its day , but when parked next to any modern vehicle including SUV"s . it is huge.
The brightwork inside is simply beautiful. This is a real falcon sprint however, factory v8 car. Probably came with some extra goodies. Makes all the new plastic fantastic interiors seem ..... insignificant .

[Baz]

1963 Falcon Sprint

Beautiful car!

[mreid]

Idiots? Horse sheet? Who are you you people?

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Baz]

Couple of '64's on eBay....

ford falcon sprint in Cars & Trucks | eBay

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by LWJ

As someone who works in insurance this is exactly the type of thing that results in claims / lawsuits. Please don't. It would be his idiot kid who didn't set the brake. You would pay. Just saying.

In the eyes of an insurance claim, seems this old ride would have other concern way beyond that kind of situation. I wouldn't worry about a line lock. With so many DIY engine, chassis and components done on a hotrod, who bothers anymore? You either show it to an agent, pics and descriptions and get it covered.

Reminds me when we first put blowers on liter sized superbikes. Agent simply stated would provide coverage just less the turbo or supercharger.

Now days I see the most scary raked out, hacked motorcycle frames, monster rattling engines with zero regards for safe two wheel control. Who provides coverage for these customs, let alone even liability?

[mikesride]

Hmmm.. I myself would prefer to have a "mechanical" park, safety or emergency brake. The idea being it is a back up for a failure in the hydraulic system. I have had line lock equipped cars in the past.....great for wheel stands and burn outs!!!!

[Rick V]

Late to the party but not a good idea for the reasons stated and also the reason they are not legal by D.O.T. regs for any vehicle and not allowed in Va. for use as a primary parking brake. You can add one but you can not us it as an exclusive parking brake.
Sharp car.

[speeder]

Also late but just saw someone go through a very similar situation with an old Ford and a disc brake conversion. The short answer is to make the cable operated lever work, whether it means custom cables, fabricated brackets, whatever. It's not that big of a deal, just another minor PIA.

I always wanted a hot rod with line lock but I agree with others...it's better than nothing but far from ideal.

[fastfredracing]

Took me some time, but with a little ingenuity, I was able to make it work with the factory lever, and it grabs, and holds as tight as any parking brake there is. I had to re- drill the fulcrum, and cable points on the relay lever, and I mounted the cables in a different way, but I'm happy to say it works perfect, and is a clean factory looking setup.
This frikkin car, always baits me, then sucks me down the rabbit hole I find myself trying to finish where the po left off, and then run into a brick wall, and just completely start over. I've had it at my place for a long , long time. Owner says no hurry. I now have one ugly project to finish up.
I have to make the s 10 transmission that used an electronic sensor, mate with the factory speedometer cable. I think I have a plan....

[wdfifteen]

Seems like there should be some kind of disclaimer builders in this situation could use, something like they use for cat test pipes. "This car was built for exhibition purposes only." Then if the owner drives it on the street, the builder would be free of any liability.
Congrats on making the mechanical system work!