1938/39 Brake Drums
 

Hi All,
when did this change happen? I bought from the USA a pair of front brake drums for my 38 pickup project. They were hardly worn so I was excited until I tried to fit them onto my spindles. It appears that they are an inch or more wider in the bearing area. If I reference measurements from the back of the drum, the distance to the inner bearing is more on the newer drums than the originals that came with the truck.
Are these repos ? They will need longer spindles with the inner bearing in a different location to work.
Any thoughts?
regards
Dave

Re: 1938/39 Brake Drums
 

The drum on the left is for 36 Ford only and the one on the right is for 37-39 Ford.

Re: 1938/39 Brake Drums
 

I believe the difference you are seeing there between those two front drums is one drum is a '36 and the other is a '37 to '39.

Edit: Gary beat me to the draw :)

Re: 1938/39 Brake Drums
 

37-38 is also a one piece hub/drum drum and 39 is by its self as a hub and separate drum held together by the studs

but

will innerchange on the spindle but 36 is all by itself

Re: 1938/39 Brake Drums
 

Ok thank you very much. That sorts that out. Now to find some 36 spindles to fit, but of course using 39 backing plates for the hydraulics I will need to modify the backing plates.
Let the games begin!
Dave

Re: 1938/39 Brake Drums
 

Dave,
Get the 37-39 drums they will fit your spindles and you will have the same tread width and no modifying the backing plates.

What about the 38 drums that came with your pickup?
Bill

Re: 1938/39 Brake Drums
 

Hi Bill,
thanks , the drums that came with the truck have marginal thickness left on them. I will use them until I find some better ones. I played around with the a 36 spindle last night but I rather use the 38 spindles. I will sell the 36 drums as they are in excellent shape never been skimmed.
regards
Dave

Re: 1938/39 Brake Drums
 

I believe that is your best choice. Since the '36 drums are one year only, I don't think you will have any problem selling them to someone who owns a '36 and needs beter drums.

Re: 1938/39 Brake Drums
 

The 1936 brake drums have the wheel bearings offset 1" towards the outside of the vehicle which is why the outer "snout" is longer than the '37-'39 versions. This locates the drum 1" farther inward over the top of the spindles. Because of this the '36 drums will not work with '39-'42 or '46-'48 Ford hydraulic brakes. The drum would hit the brake plates before the bearings were correctly seated on the spindle snout.