Brake mystery?

[jimwheeldon]

I pulled the wheels off my 50 Biz last night and discovered one rear brake had NO drum!!! The hub is there but the drum is completely gone....I'm stymied. Anyone have a drum or two to part with? I really have never seen anything like it. The rest have surface rust on them, but nothing like this...Help!

[Normspeed]

I'll bet they crimped off the brake line at the same time. Amazing, the adventures these old cars have seen.

There's a fellow in my town with a 47 Dodge rear end with drums for sale, but he wants to sell as part of a parts lot and the shipping would be impossible.

[Suddensix]

I have a couple of good front drums which are 10"x 2 1/4". They are mounted on front hubs with rivets but if they are the same drum could soon be removed from the hubs. It seems to me the front and rear shoes are the same.

[Norm's Coupe]

Front and rear drums are different. The rear hubs and drums have a key in them and the front doesn't.

This sounds like a good excuse to pop for front and rear disc brakes.

[jimwheeldon]

Hey Norm....I've seen alot of front kits but really nothing for the rears. I wish someone made an all inclusive kit that included front and rear discs, modern master cylinder etc. I have 11 months to transform my tree claim wonder into my everyday driver. (My lease is up then) I can live with nominal power but nominal braking is just foolish. I know this will open up the "drums work just fine" crew...but with conversions close to the same cost as reburbing the old drum system it seems prudent to opt for the modern . One thing cool about our old cars is the band type e brake, I know that causes fits on some conversions trying to integrate that into the rear. All opinions are welcome, I like everyone want the ultimate solution for the least amount of dough!

[james curl]

Someone here on the fourm has installed a rear disc brake set. It came in kit form. The name of the company that makes both front and rear disc brake kits for mopars is AAJ Brake Conversion Portland Oregon 503 890 1469

[Norm's Coupe]

Jim, James posted the info for AAJ. I think they are the only ones making the rear disc brake systems for our cars. At least they are the only one anyone has mentioned on the forum with the rear system. They also make the fronts. So, I'd give them a call and check it out.

[woodscavenger]

Here is their web page.

http://www.aajbrakes.com/

[55 Fargo]

What size of drums, are they 11 inch, might be able to get you 1 maybe 2, ship to you from Canada if necessary, let me know via PM

[Jim Yergin]

I installed the AAJ front and rear disc brakes on my '41 Plymouth. I was very pleased with the parts and the service I received.

Here is a picture of the rear brake setup.

Jim Yergin

[jimwheeldon]

Looks good Jim...I bet that makes a world of difference compared to the old drums. Thanks for the pic!

[teardrop puller]

I have 4 Wheel disk brakes and love the way the car stops, I think you will need to add some kind of power booster. If you have power steering, you can use a hydro-boost and save a lot of space. I would love to see one of these units using the original position brake pedal. I use one on a swing pedal modification and am very satisfied.

kai

[Brendan D25]

Kai, what swing pedal and booster did you use? Brendan.

[teardrop puller]

Brenden

I used a late mustang hydro boost pedal, but I think the matching pedal from a Chev van that had hydro boost would be the best choice. Get the whole booster, pedal and master cylinder from the van or truck. My booster is from a Chev diesel. Works well with the Ford P/S pump and the Ugly Truckling adapter. The big ford pump seems to work well with the power steering and the booster. I think that the lower pressure of the Ford pump is much better with the power steering change for this car.

I do not have the carpet in the car yet. Got to get the outside complete first.

I had to strengthen up the firewall a little for the swing pedal.

kai

[Brendan D25]

Thanks Kai, I have a dual master cyl. from a Chev. van and I have been debating whether to try to put it under the floor or on the firewall. I think I'll look for a van or pickup to get the pedal assy. and mount it on the firewall. Brendan.