Ken Bartz Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 I am reading the AMMCO 1750 instructions as posted by blueskies, 3/6/09 on this forum. The instructions say to measure the diameter of the brake drum, first, with the tool. Then when you install the tool on the axle you are using the radius. Then the instructions tell me to set the dial to 1/2 of the diameter reading. So, if the reading was 60 then I set the dial to 30. I presume that this is the way it should be set to adjust the brake shoes? OR if the reading was 100 the set the dial back to 50. I used an caliper to measure how the dial cam preforms. For every 10 on the dial, that equals .010 of an inch, approximately. Then with the two examples I would end up with (60/30) a space of .030" between the shoe and the drum. The other example 100/50, a space of .050". Something just does not seem right with these instructions. I seem to recall that these Plymouth like to have .010" (or .006") between the shoe and the drum (according to the manual). SO how are you suppose to use this tool???? Someone please clarify how to use this tool. I would deduce that if the dial measured 60 with the diameter measurement then I would set the dial to 50 to set the shoes to get the proper spacing between the shoe and drum (.010"). RIGHT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TodFitch Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 When you are measuring the drum you are measuring diameter. When you have the tool on the axle and setting the shoes you are working with the radius. There is a factor of two between radius and diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Bartz Posted May 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Yes, but then what would you set the dial at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty dan Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Yes, but then what would you set the dial at? Don't!!!! Put it back in it's box and put it in your safe... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vintage-Brake-Gage-1750-AMMCO-Chrysler-Desoto-Dodge_W0QQitemZ350206080409QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5189e8b599&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIPJOBXX Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 I think your overcompensating the oust of the tool. All you are trying to do is to get the shoes inside the drum to fit. If its anything like I have done at work than just do a sweep of the drum (Inside Diameter) and then take that tool and take a sweep of the shoes in place. All you are trying to do is to get the shoes to match as much surface area on the inside of the drum. Plain and simple don't over think the tool. Some guys here just cut a window in an old drum and use feeler gages to get the shoes to fit. I used just a tool I made at home to get the shoes in a concentric round patter and then installed my drums. You can also check after you have gotten your brake shoes concentrick with the drum with chalk to see how the shoes match to the drums. Good luck!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48mirage Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 You are overthinking it. The tool has a built in offset for the proper clearance of the shoes to the drums. As explained, when you divide the 60 on the diameter you need half of that, 30 for the radius. The clearance for the shoes is built into the tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 (edited) Set the dial to half the meausrement as per the instructions. I just did a lecture at the AACA convention here in Philadelphia in Feb. I demonstrated both of the Ammco tool and the Miller MT19C tool. The secret to the tool is that you are getting the shoes to be arced to your drum. Do this for both shoes. The put the drum onthe spindle. You are not done. You still have to do a minor brake adjustment. Mount the drum and the tire back on the car. Spin the wheel and use the upper cam to lock the drum back off the cam so their is just a small amount of draging. Then do the same with the other cam. Now you will have great brakes. Call me if you have any questions, I live near Valley Forge PA which is near Philadelphia PA. Rich Hartung 484-431-8157 Cell Desoto1939@aol.com Edited May 26, 2009 by desoto1939 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueskies Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Don't!!!!Put it back in it's box and put it in your safe... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vintage-Brake-Gage-1750-AMMCO-Chrysler-Desoto-Dodge_W0QQitemZ350206080409QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5189e8b599&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 Holey mackerel... If that sells, pigs have flown... I only paid $100 for mine, and it came with the original instructions. Maybe I should sell the tool and use the windfall to buy a four wheel disc conversion... Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Pete: There are several of the Ammco tools out on Ebay ranging from $475 up to $1100. I recently saw that there was a set of the Miller Brake gage tool MT19 with all of the adapters and It went for over $900 bills. I am lucky that I have both of these tools and did not pay that much or even near that price foe either one. The tools are getting harder to find and if you have them then you definately have an item that is worth some $$$$$ to certain buyers Rich desoto1939@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troganin Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 I am in need of the brake adjustment tool also. But being an engineer $475 - $1000 will get me a lot of tries at building an effective replacement. Is there anyone in the community that is currently making a tool for sale that effectively does the job as simply as the ammco 1750? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty dan Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Holey mackerel... If that sells, pigs have flown...I only paid $100 for mine, and it came with the original instructions. Maybe I should sell the tool and use the windfall to buy a four wheel disc conversion... Pete I'll give you $200.00 an you can keep the instructions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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