Should my '73 Cuda have Disc brakes????

[doncarson]

I just bought a '73 Cuda originally 340 auto, now has a 383.
Question is should the car have disc brakes? The fender tag lists B41 option, but the car has drums all around and the front brakes and spindles do not like they have ever been touched? The fender tag decoder says B41 = disc brakes power some models. Did all 73 Cudas come with discs?
It has power steering power brake booster, ralley dash.

Please let me know.
Thanks in advance.
Don Carson

[farmertan]

my red book says required w/340 thats odd if it was a 340 car?

[71chally416]

I'd say if you don't want to rearend some new car or SUV that stops on a dime that has an owner that doesn't care that you can't, you better have disc brakes.  

[doncarson]

Here's the decoded fender tag??
Soooo. Did ALL 340s have discs?

Don
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Decoding of Fender Tag: Botttom to Top, Left to Right
Code   Description
B55   Unknown At This Time
D34   TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission
BS23   B = Plymouth Barracuda
S = Special
23 = 2 Door Hardtop
 

H3B   H = 340 240HP(net) 1-4BBL 8 CYL
3 = 1973
B = Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
xxxxxxx   Sequence Number 'xxxxxxx'
JF8   Paint Code: Unknown At This Time
A6F6   Trim Grade/Style/Color
A = A Class
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
F6 = Green
000   Upper Door Frame: Full Door Panel
524   Date Built: 5 / 24 / 1973

508867   Order Number: 508867
JF8   Roof Type OR Color:  Unknown At This Time
U   Built to Specifications for USA Order
B41   Front Disc Brakes Some Yrs. Power
C16   Console w/ Buckets
C56   Bucket Seats 1972 up
G37   Left Hand Remote, Right Hand Manual Chrome Mirrors

[360 'CUDA]

All Plymouth E-bodies had front disc brakes in '73 and '74.  The only option was if you wanted power or not.

[Chryco Psycho]

 
 That is what I thought , never say never though

[acudanut]

Power brake booster with drums ??  That does not sound correct at all.
Someone must have really jacked with this car.  Question is WHY. ??

[360 'CUDA]

Power front disc brakes B41 is required equipment on all 340s in '73 and 360s in '74.
(Barracudas and Challengers) 

[360 'CUDA]

Power brake booster with drums ??  That does not sound correct at all.
Someone must have really jacked with this car.  Question is WHY. ??

One of the old tricks at the track was to change to drum brakes because Disc brakes drag a little bit slowing the car down.
Is the car an ex racer?

[71chally416]

What does the master cylinder look like?

[Alaskan_TA]

Power brakes with front disc standard on 1973 Cuda;

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/DealershipDataBook/1973/73_Barracuda5.jpg

[Hopalong]

My 72 Challenger came with non power drums all around.  I thought all 73 - 74's came with disc brakes.

[acudanut]

 They did.  That's why we are wondering why this car has a Power booster with drum brakes.
BTW I ould think drum brakes would drag more than Disc

[72bluNblu]

If adjusted properly drums shouldn't drag at all. Unlike a disk set up, the brake shoes are returned into their resting position by spring force, pulling them completely clear of the drum. The disk pads don't do this, the clamping force goes away, but the pads don't really get "pulled" away from the disk. Plus, you can adjust the drums, so if you really wanted to you could slap on a pair of half gone shoes and adjust them the wrong way to put them further away from the drum. Your brakes would suck (they'd be slow to respond), but they wouldn't drag.

My guess is your car was swapped over because it was a racer at some point, or possibly because a previous owner was going to sell it and wanted the car they were keeping with the drums in front to have disks...Lotsa folks have more than 1 mopar, and they are interchangeable for a lot of years. Buyer beware right?