The Ford Barn

hb32 · 04-01-2015, 11:23 AM

I am converting my 32 pickup to juice brakes and have some questions regarding front brakes. I plan to keep the 32 spindles.
The rear drum I am using is conveniently off a 35 which has the provisions for the 35 wires I am using and fits with the 40 backing plate/brake assy.
Is there a drum that does the same for the front? What years can I use with the ring to support the wires? Am I better off buying aftermarket hubs and drums?
Thanks for the answers.

Terry,OH · 04-01-2015, 04:02 PM

The 35 brake surface is not as wide as the 40-42 hub inside the drum. You can use these drums front or rear with wires by adding either aftermarket or home made inner support rings. Can also use the 46-8 backing plates or the Lincoln style aftermarket. Take a look at MT Car products web site, they have the drums for the 40-42 style hubs.

CSArno · 04-01-2015, 05:28 PM

I just converted a 35 to hydraulic brakes. Used the original hubs/drums for the rears.
The fronts are a whole different animal.. If you can find a good set of of 40 to 48 hubs/ drums with the drum on the outside of the hub. you can use those on the front. Chances are what you will find is the hubs will be good and the brake drums will be junk on anything used.
To save some money, I found a couple 48 merc hubs and drums and replaced the brake drums. Now these take a little work to get the old drums off the hub. If you end up finding a used set and have to replace the drums, please ask here how to do it or PM me. You can't just take a hammer and pound the studs out. You WILL damage the hub. The studs are swedged or enlarged where they go through the drum.. It's not hard to get them apart. Just takes a little knowledge.

If you end up getting new hubs and drums, I would recommend getting knurled studs that grab in the hub. This allows you to take the brake drum off without taking the hub off the spindle. The drum just slips on and off over the wheel studs.
I used brake drums and studs from Joblot Automotive in New York. Ask for James if you call. He's very helpful. Might be good to call just to get info.

You will need wire wheel adaptors to use your wires. these will prevent your wheel from cracking and falling off.. A must have item..

You may also need to use a bearing spacer inside your hub. This is a spacer that goes on the spindle to keep the hub and drum from going on too far and hitting the backing plate.
I didn't need to use them after I was told I needed them.

Have you tackled putting the backing plates on the front yet?

You can private message me if you want. I have pictures and knowledge of it fresh in my head.. Don't wait too long

If you do a search on here for brake conversion, there is a lot of info on the subject. Some opinions vary but I took what I liked and ran with it..

Chris

Fred A · 04-03-2015, 03:40 PM

[QUOTE=Terry,OH;1061348]The 35 brake surface is not as wide as the 40-42 hub inside the drum.

'32 to '34 brake shoes are 1.5" while the '35 went to 1.75" making them the same as the '39-'48 Ford and Zephyr. As others have noted, the offset on the '35-'36 fronts can be a challenge unless you know the tricks, such as early Zephyr parts to name one remedy. Good Luck: Fred A

Kahuna · 04-03-2015, 04:50 PM

Get ahold of Richard Lacy (EarlyV8Garage). He sold me a set of the Lincoln type brakes that fit my 32 spindles perfectly. Couldn't be happier.

russcc · 04-03-2015, 06:43 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Unless you have a big motor and want haul tail. I my opinion the stock mechanical brakes work great, especially with the after market wedges. Hydraulics, if they sit for awhile usually become a huge headache. The brake fluid attracts moisture, and that rusts up the inside of the wheel and master cylinder. My 2 cent worth.

Fred A · 04-03-2015, 10:36 PM

It is true that Hydraulic brakes take some care to avoid rust problems but the problem is somewhat overstated. I have a turkey baster that I use to suck the old fluid out of the master cylinder and refresh from time to time. If the car is left out in the weather the problem is much worse. To say that mechanical brakes work great should be followed by, when conditions are optimal and great is an opinion . Currently my Model A roadster is going with Bendix on the front and Lockheed on the rear which has proven to be a great combination while remaining simple. Good Luck: Fred A

Terry,OH · 04-04-2015, 06:46 AM

Fred A is correct the 35 brake and the 40 shoes are both 1-3/4" wide

2935ford · 04-04-2015, 07:52 AM

Ok
To jump in here as well.
This is a similar issue I have going on with the exception mine will be mounted to a Model A rear axle.
If I understand this correctly.........35 drums/hubs/shoes work w/o any issues on the rear with 40 - 48 backing plates? In other words.....I do not need inner support rings.....etc?

04-01-2015, 11:23 AM	#1
hb32 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Nanaimo Vancouver Island B.C. Canada Posts: 1,067	40 brake parts specifically drums/hubs I am converting my 32 pickup to juice brakes and have some questions regarding front brakes. I plan to keep the 32 spindles. The rear drum I am using is conveniently off a 35 which has the provisions for the 35 wires I am using and fits with the 40 backing plate/brake assy. Is there a drum that does the same for the front? What years can I use with the ring to support the wires? Am I better off buying aftermarket hubs and drums? Thanks for the answers.

04-01-2015, 04:02 PM	#2
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: 40 brake parts specifically drums/hubs The 35 brake surface is not as wide as the 40-42 hub inside the drum. You can use these drums front or rear with wires by adding either aftermarket or home made inner support rings. Can also use the 46-8 backing plates or the Lincoln style aftermarket. Take a look at MT Car products web site, they have the drums for the 40-42 style hubs.

04-01-2015, 05:28 PM	#3
CSArno Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Maine Posts: 378	Re: 40 brake parts specifically drums/hubs I just converted a 35 to hydraulic brakes. Used the original hubs/drums for the rears. The fronts are a whole different animal.. If you can find a good set of of 40 to 48 hubs/ drums with the drum on the outside of the hub. you can use those on the front. Chances are what you will find is the hubs will be good and the brake drums will be junk on anything used. To save some money, I found a couple 48 merc hubs and drums and replaced the brake drums. Now these take a little work to get the old drums off the hub. If you end up finding a used set and have to replace the drums, please ask here how to do it or PM me. You can't just take a hammer and pound the studs out. You WILL damage the hub. The studs are swedged or enlarged where they go through the drum.. It's not hard to get them apart. Just takes a little knowledge. If you end up getting new hubs and drums, I would recommend getting knurled studs that grab in the hub. This allows you to take the brake drum off without taking the hub off the spindle. The drum just slips on and off over the wheel studs. I used brake drums and studs from Joblot Automotive in New York. Ask for James if you call. He's very helpful. Might be good to call just to get info. You will need wire wheel adaptors to use your wires. these will prevent your wheel from cracking and falling off.. A must have item.. You may also need to use a bearing spacer inside your hub. This is a spacer that goes on the spindle to keep the hub and drum from going on too far and hitting the backing plate. I didn't need to use them after I was told I needed them. Have you tackled putting the backing plates on the front yet? You can private message me if you want. I have pictures and knowledge of it fresh in my head.. Don't wait too long If you do a search on here for brake conversion, there is a lot of info on the subject. Some opinions vary but I took what I liked and ran with it.. Chris

04-03-2015, 03:40 PM	#4
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Re: 40 brake parts specifically drums/hubs [QUOTE=Terry,OH;1061348]The 35 brake surface is not as wide as the 40-42 hub inside the drum. '32 to '34 brake shoes are 1.5" while the '35 went to 1.75" making them the same as the '39-'48 Ford and Zephyr. As others have noted, the offset on the '35-'36 fronts can be a challenge unless you know the tricks, such as early Zephyr parts to name one remedy. Good Luck: Fred A

04-03-2015, 04:50 PM	#5
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: 40 brake parts specifically drums/hubs Get ahold of Richard Lacy (EarlyV8Garage). He sold me a set of the Lincoln type brakes that fit my 32 spindles perfectly. Couldn't be happier.

04-03-2015, 06:43 PM	#6
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: 40 brake parts specifically drums/hubs Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Unless you have a big motor and want haul tail. I my opinion the stock mechanical brakes work great, especially with the after market wedges. Hydraulics, if they sit for awhile usually become a huge headache. The brake fluid attracts moisture, and that rusts up the inside of the wheel and master cylinder. My 2 cent worth.

04-03-2015, 10:36 PM	#7
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Re: 40 brake parts specifically drums/hubs It is true that Hydraulic brakes take some care to avoid rust problems but the problem is somewhat overstated. I have a turkey baster that I use to suck the old fluid out of the master cylinder and refresh from time to time. If the car is left out in the weather the problem is much worse. To say that mechanical brakes work great should be followed by, when conditions are optimal and great is an opinion . Currently my Model A roadster is going with Bendix on the front and Lockheed on the rear which has proven to be a great combination while remaining simple. Good Luck: Fred A

04-04-2015, 06:46 AM	#8
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: 40 brake parts specifically drums/hubs Fred A is correct the 35 brake and the 40 shoes are both 1-3/4" wide

04-04-2015, 07:52 AM	#9
2935ford Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 1,013	Re: 40 brake parts specifically drums/hubs Ok To jump in here as well. This is a similar issue I have going on with the exception mine will be mounted to a Model A rear axle. If I understand this correctly.........35 drums/hubs/shoes work w/o any issues on the rear with 40 - 48 backing plates? In other words.....I do not need inner support rings.....etc?