Thread: Lincoln needs brakes

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Hi all,

I am new to this page and it looks like fun. I am the proud owner of a 54 Lincoln Capri. It has a 317 and auto tranny with overdrive. After being parked for 13 years it was given to me! I redid all the brakes with the exception of the booster and master. They worked for awhile, but after numerous cruises they faded fast. I have found rebuild kits from Kantor but kinda spendy. I would like to install a late model booster and master, but I don't know where to begin. No junk yard stuff as the car is pretty cherry. Maybe some one knows of parts that will make this swap without butchering my firewall. It needs to be a sure bet the first time. This is a family cruiser and the Bendix treadle vac just dont quite cut it even when they are working well. Thanks in advance guys.

Hi Todd.
Welcome to CHR. There aren't many of those old Lincolns around and few have been modified by rodders so you may not find anyone who has ever done the swap you have in mind.

I got a rebuilt bendix treadle vac master cylinder from Kanter for my Packard and it worked great. It cost $250 w/exchange. I also got 4 new wheel cylinders for $30 each.If you don't want junkyard parts then you can't possibly change it for less money unless your time isn't worth anything.

Any late model car with power brakes would have disc brakes up front and wouldn't work with drum brakes. That just leaves you with a choice between spending days searching junkyards for rebuildable units from cars with drum brakes and then if you find one that's close you'll spend a few more days fabricating to make it fit. Or pick up the phone to call Kanters.

If you were putting in a 460 engine then I'd say put disc brakes on it and change the M/C but you said it's a cherry original car so if you just change the M/C the value of the car will go down by more than $250. Think of the $250 as the last car payment and buy the tradle vac.
AL