brake diameter

[Guest jjmorrse]

I was looking at some disk brake upgrades on my late 54, powerflite, and the issue if 11 to 12 inch brakes came up. Before this I did not know there were 2 different sizes. Does someone know what the bigger brakes came on, and specifically what to measure to gauge which it is? Thanks.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I believe most of these cars ran 10 inch drums...that is the inner diameter so with the thickness of the drum considered..11 inch units will be your choice..and I think if memory serves me correct that some people swapping to disc brakes have run into clearance issues with the standard size wheel scrubbing and have had to go to a more modern profile that gives you clearance for the additional room needed when mounting the caliper in place. I think Norm himself had to buy new wheels to clear his disc setup and Don C. got new rims also but cannot remember if his was for clearance reasons also..

Running late model Chrysler wheels will give you the room you need I believe as they are all designed around disc brakes. Other issues in mounting disc is the bending of the steering link so as to prevent scrubbing there as well.

Maybe Norm can jump in here and elaborate on his set-up and reason for the new rims.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Thanks Norm...this way we all know the why and wherefore and he can be prepared for possible further costs...sad to say but once you start to alter a few things..more and more little annoyances keep popping up...later model rims will do the trick but will limit his use of original style 9/10 caps and rings. I used a set of Chrysler late model rims with the bolt on wire baskets on my 49 and loved it..when I sold the car the new owner was given the choice of original with caps and rings or the wire caps..he took the wires as he loved the way they looked also..his wife stated that the grandkids saw the pictures of the car they were coming to look at and and said, "Grandma..be sure to get the fuzzy dice and the squirrel tail on the aerial"...they got both..they sent me a picture of the car in parade just 3 days after picking it up..glad it went to a nice home...

[Guest jjmorrse]

That really clarified for me. Glad to know I can manage to keep the original hubcaps, guess I will have to shake the dog food out. Dog loves eating out of chrome.