|
|
|
|
|
#1
04-15-2007, 10:56 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Disc-braking an old ponton - can it be done?
Hello all,
Back to my thoughts of buying and restoring a 180 (1955) sedan - Is it possible to retro-fit a disc-brake set up to a king-pin Ponton front suspension? I know in basic concept all the Ponton chassis/suspensions are the same - but has anyone tried this? If the 180's 52 BHP is scary, the brakes are even more so. Maybe those from an early 220 sedan? Just wondering.... 
|
|
#2
04-15-2007, 11:17 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I have heard of people doing this on the 190SL(same mechanicals), using parts from a later model king pin car. I thought about doing this on my own ponton, but finally decided that if the stock brakes are set up right, you won't miss the disc brakes.
|
|
#3
04-16-2007, 01:24 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
w111 sedans, after I believe 1965, had disc brakes. I don't know anything about pontons but they both use kingpins so you could maybe use fintail disc brakes and suspension parts. Early w110 & w111 sedans had drum brakes on the front.
Thanks David
__________________
_____________________________________________ 2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles 1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles _____________________________________________
|
|
#4
04-16-2007, 06:09 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
i agree with both posts above.
it probably can be done, but the drums on the old fintails work really well if in correct operating condition. all parts should be available. it should be a lot simpler to fix the drums. now if you had the parts car sitting there with correctly operating disc brakes, that would be a different matter. but i am pretty sure you don't. good luck either way. those pontons are pretty cool. tom w
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.  [SIGPIC]..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
|
|
#5
04-16-2007, 08:39 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
A lost art is arcing the brake shoes to the drums. If done right, you can see why the old pontons have better drum brakes than most older cars with disc/drum brakes. A local shop did this for me once, and it was amazing.
|
|
#6
04-16-2007, 10:03 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Thanks, guys. I was thinking of braking issues relative to the fact that I'd also like to increase the power. I have access to a 190SL engine & gearbox that would (should?) fit into the 180's engine bay - since they're basically the same block/mounting points. I normally wouldn't cobble together a car like this - but there is something appealing about the concept of a 180 with a 190SL powertrain & floorshift - don't you think?
|
|
#7
04-16-2007, 12:22 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
That's a pretty cool idea. Sort of like putting a 356 Porsche motor in a VW bug.
The 190SL was based on the 180 chassis, so the 190SL drivetrain will fit for sure, my only concern is the twin carb setup might not clear the hood because of the heater box. Though you could use a 190 sedan intake manifold and single carb on the 190SL motor if you had to.
|
|
#8
04-16-2007, 02:18 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Recently on the Yahoo Gtroups ponton discussion list there was some discussion about disk brakes on pontons. Someone did it on a racing ponton coupe. As I recall, a fair amount of fabrication--read cutting and welding--was required, but the job is possible. The better suggestion is to get your ponton drum brakes up to snuff.
__________________
Douglas 1959 M-B 220S cabriolet
|
|
#10
12-21-2009, 07:49 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
__________________
Strelnik Invest in America: Buy a Congressman! 1950 170SD 1951 Citroen 11BN 1953 Citroen 11BNF limo 1953 220a project 1959 180D 1960 190D 1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr 1983 240D daily driver 1983 380SL 1990 350SDL daily driver alt 3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5 3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6
|
|
#11
12-21-2009, 01:33 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
 I'd like to do that to my 55
|
|
#12
12-22-2009, 03:30 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
190SL Services in Aberdeen, NC has developed a bolt on disc brake system for pontons. I'm not sure if he is ready for the public rollout of it yet, but you can certainly contact Dave there and ask. See http://www.190slservices.com/ for contact info.
__________________
Len '59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta '83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD '88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home '99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles '03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter '14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles '14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles '15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles 
|
|
#13
12-23-2009, 01:14 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Len, that's an interesting site. Also, there are many brake upgrade kits for classic Mustangs, so it can't be too hard to make an upgrade kit for older MB's with drums, except for properly sizing the caliper mounts that is.
__________________
Regards Warren Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL ENTER > = (HP RPN) Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.
|
|
#14
12-28-2009, 03:39 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
When working good there great. And the sl used same drum brakes. Have drove ponton[180/190/190b/190sl/219/220]for 30 yrs. And if you want her to run, sell sl engine. 190b engine remove intake install webbers and intake.Do some work on ex manafold.and you can use a 200 engine out of a fintype,with 190 head, but timing chain has to be made to work [shortened].
__________________
30 yr's still in love
|
 |
| Bookmarks |
|
|
Linear Mode
