I'm sure I'll look back and think it's funny...

[DWinTX]

but right now I'm pi**ed. I am doing a complete Firm Feel suspension and RamMan disc brake conversion on my son's 65 Coronet. We've had numerous delays, some just because life got in the way, but several due to parts issues. FF sent me two incorrect parts (made good on them, but put me behind), and now, just as we're about done I find RamMan has screwed up a second time. Earlier he gave me the wrong caliper brackets.

Today we thought we were going to be finished. Suspension and brakes are in. All that's left is to bleed the brakes, adjust the torsion bars and align. The disc conversion is a power brake system with a 65 dual M/C and a Midland-Ross booster. At least I think that's what he told me. I go to bleed the M/C. It's on the car so I fab up some brake lines routed back into the reservoirs. I tell my son to pump the pedal and I start watching for bubbles. Nothing. I pull one of the lines out of the fluid and put my finger over the end, expecting some air or fluid. Nothing.

So I pull of the M/C, and lo and behold there is no rod between the booster and M/C! Jeez!

Sorry, I'm kind of venting here, but this has been one issue after another with parts. Twice from FF and now twice from RamMan, and two or three other times from local parts stores.

Anyway, I fabbed up a rod from some steel rod I had laying around, but it's a little short. It was at the end of the day, and I was tired so I didn't take my time. Worked okay to bleed the M/C, but I need to get it right for driving, or get a real one. I'm sure RamMan will give me one, but I don't want to wait another week. Is it feasible just to make one? Is there anything special about them, or are they just a plain rod? I rounded the M/C end off to fit the cup, but I couldn't tell if the booster end is rounded or not from looking down in there. Anyone know? The one I made seem to work fine except for being a little short. Anyone know the actual dimensions?

 

[roadrunnerman]

I believe the rod from the MC that goes to the brake pedal assembly, it is rounded going into the MC, but the other end had a round hole that fits over a "stud" on the brake arm held in place with a nut/washer. If you can make your rod longer then flatten it on 1 end to drill the hole out, you should be able to make it work.

 

[RustyRatRod]

He's talking about the small rod that drives the master cylinder off the power booster. Not the one that bolts to the pedal. I wish I knew the dimension, but I don't. I have seen them before though, that were threaded and adjustable.

 

[DWinTX]

He's talking about the small rod that drives the master cylinder off the power booster. Not the one that bolts to the pedal. I wish I knew the dimension, but I don't. I have seen them before though, that were threaded and adjustable.

That is the one Rusty. I ended up buying one from Wildcat Wrecking in Oregon. I'm hoping it's the correct one, since there's nothing to go by, but they seemed to think it was.

 

[super-bee_ski]

ouch
Gee,
That is unusual from the RamMan!
What did he say?

 

[DWinTX]

Frankly, I don't think he believed me that it was missing. He said that had never happened before. Maybe not, but everyone makes mistakes sooner or later. I guess he thought I was trying to scam him out of an extra part. But he did say he would give me one. Unfortunately, that was when the conversation took a bad turn. He was leaving town for a show, and was packing his stuff when I called him. He said he would leave one on his porch for me (we both live in the DFW Metro area). Even though we're in the same metro area, I live almost 40 miles from him (80 miles round trip), and that's right through the center of the metroplex so there's traffic and construction to deal with. I couldn't drive down there till the weekend so I asked if he could mail it and he somewhat reluctantly agreed. Then I balked a little. I was afraid wouldn't get here by the weekend as it was already Wednesday, and I really wanted to finish the car.

So I was trying to decide and he told me he didn't have time to wait around on me because he had people waiting on him to load his stuff. That irritated me. I had already made a second trip down there to get the correct caliper brackets, and couldn't believe this guy was rushing me. It was just a few seconds by the way, the whole conversation was not more than a couple minutes. I told him that it wasn't my fault that the part wasn't there and I didn't appreciate him talking to me that way. Then he hung up on me. Called him back and he wouldn't answer. I did not raise my voice, use profanity, or say anything rude. Just told him I didn't appreciate being talked to that way after just spending $900 with him. Very unprofessional, and frankly, childish.

I sent him an email asking if he was still going to leave the part, but he never responded. At that point, I just didn't want to have anything more to do with him. I found the one at Wildcat. Cost me an extra $37 with shipping but it was worth it. I have two more Mopars I'm restoring and hoped to use him for both, but I'll be looking for other alternatives.