The Ford Barn

Canton_Model_A's · Today, 08:06 AM

I have a bit of an issue. I am deciding on whether to use the new Cast Iron drums over the steel ones my '29 currently has on her. What are the Pros/Cons and what would I have to do to put the Cast ones onto her?

Any advice would be great!

Bruce of MN · Today, 08:15 AM

You would want to go through the whole brake system, new linings, centering, arcing, etc. After that, you’ll want to convert your modern car to mechanicals!😉

Canton_Model_A's · Today, 08:30 AM

I already have done all the brakes, with new plates, shows, and all associated hardware.

Y-Blockhead · Today, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canton_Model_A's

I have a bit of an issue. I am deciding on whether to use the new Cast Iron drums over the steel ones my '29 currently has on her. What are the Pros/Cons and what would I have to do to put the Cast ones onto her?

Any advice would be great!

Pros; Your car will stop much better, No brake fade. Cons; None

Bob Bidonde · Today, 09:27 AM

Go Cast Iron For Safety!

P.S. · Today, 09:47 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

This should help answer some of your questions- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URO_jkdCIlc

WHN · Today, 10:01 AM

If you can lock them up with your steel drums and you have already gone over the whole system. I would leave them alone for now.

Next brake job you can make the change.

I have always used the steel drums. Never had a problem and it’s been over 60 years of driving Model A’s.

Enjoy your car.

nkaminar · Today, 10:01 AM

The only reason to use the original steel drums is if you are going to show the car and not drive it. That means taking it to the shows in a trailer and just running it enough to get to your assigned spot.

Dino's A · Today, 10:01 AM

And with Cast iron brakes goes the name Randy Gross.

Canton_Model_A's · Today, 10:05 AM

P.S. thank you for posting that link. I think I saw it before. Now the real fun, sourcing all the parts needed for the cast drums versus the steel ones. Glad the Credit Card is handy

Bob C · Today, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canton_Model_A's

P.S. thank you for posting that link. I think I saw it before. Now the real fun, sourcing all the parts needed for the cast drums versus the steel ones. Glad the Credit Card is handy

Just send your hubs and drums to Randy Gross and they will come back ready to install.

P.S. · Today, 10:21 AM

Randy Gross is your man. Absolutely wonderful guy and products.

Dick M · Today, 11:02 AM

Randy Gross
Brake Drums, Brake Shoes, Wheel Hubs, and Steering Box rebuild
714-292-8660
[email protected]

You will not find a better vendor for all of the above.

Dick Carne · Today, 05:09 PM

One additional thought. If you should decide to use cast iron drums, I would also strongly recommend that you also convert to bonded brake shoe linings - otherwise the woven linings will soon glaze over and become ineffective. Good luck going forward.

Today, 08:06 AM	#1
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 153	Cast Drums versus Steel Drums I have a bit of an issue. I am deciding on whether to use the new Cast Iron drums over the steel ones my '29 currently has on her. What are the Pros/Cons and what would I have to do to put the Cast ones onto her? Any advice would be great! __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

Today, 08:15 AM	#2
Bruce of MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: VA Posts: 1,449	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums You would want to go through the whole brake system, new linings, centering, arcing, etc. After that, you’ll want to convert your modern car to mechanicals!😉

Today, 08:30 AM	#3
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 153	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums I already have done all the brakes, with new plates, shows, and all associated hardware. __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

Today, 09:27 AM	#5
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,536	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums *Go Cast Iron For Safety!* __________________ Bob Bidonde

Today, 09:47 AM	#6
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,759	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) This should help answer some of your questions- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URO_jkdCIlc __________________ 2024 MAFCA Technical Director

Today, 10:01 AM	#7
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,845	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums If you can lock them up with your steel drums and you have already gone over the whole system. I would leave them alone for now. Next brake job you can make the change. I have always used the steel drums. Never had a problem and it’s been over 60 years of driving Model A’s. Enjoy your car.

Today, 10:01 AM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,131	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums The only reason to use the original steel drums is if you are going to show the car and not drive it. That means taking it to the shows in a trailer and just running it enough to get to your assigned spot. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

Today, 10:01 AM	#9
Dino's A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Arcadia, Ca. Posts: 264	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums And with Cast iron brakes goes the name Randy Gross. __________________ 1928 Roadster Pickup 1930 Tudor 1943 Ford WWII Jeep 1968 Taco Minibike Member, Santa Anita Model A's Arcadia Ca.

Today, 10:05 AM	#10
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 153	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums P.S. thank you for posting that link. I think I saw it before. Now the real fun, sourcing all the parts needed for the cast drums versus the steel ones. Glad the Credit Card is handy __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

Today, 10:21 AM	#12
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,759	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums Randy Gross is your man. Absolutely wonderful guy and products. __________________ 2024 MAFCA Technical Director

Today, 11:02 AM	#13
Dick M Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 481	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums Randy Gross Brake Drums, Brake Shoes, Wheel Hubs, and Steering Box rebuild 714-292-8660 [email protected] You will not find a better vendor for all of the above.

Today, 05:09 PM	#14
Dick Carne Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 468	Re: Cast Drums versus Steel Drums One additional thought. If you should decide to use cast iron drums, I would also strongly recommend that you also convert to bonded brake shoe linings - otherwise the woven linings will soon glaze over and become ineffective. Good luck going forward.