The Ford Barn

DeBordEngineMan · 07-18-2010, 08:18 PM

I may be getting ahead of myself a little if you read my previous post on my factory steel drums but I like to be prepared for bad news if my steel drums are shot. I have seen Mel Gross"s ad for the drums on another website and have contacted him they seem to be very reasonable priced but how good are they? Has anybody used these drums what type of workmanship are they? How is he to work with, basic end question are they good drums or not? Should have touched on this question in previous post but forgot. Thanks for your time and help, Robert DeBord

Preacher · 07-18-2010, 09:20 PM

Absolutely agree. and IF you choose to use your old hubs it will hopefully remove an unsafe drum from being reused.

TerryH · 07-18-2010, 09:23 PM

Lots of Model A owners here in S. Calif. have used Mel's cast iron drums, and I have only heard good things about them. I have them on my Model A...it was one of the first things I did when I bought it and I find they work very well and give excellent braking compared to thin steel drums.

CWPASADENA · 07-18-2010, 09:40 PM

"This is not a job for amateurs." Don Turley

I TOTALLY AGREE,

I have a complete machine shop a large press and easy access to a good Drum Lathe. I have replaced drums on both Model As and Early V-8s. Even with the equiptment I have it is still a big job. I would definately consider sending your old hubs to Mel and have him do the whole job.

My Opinion

Chris

Arlyn Bieber · 07-18-2010, 10:21 PM

Mel sells a quality product. The drums are 1/4" thick and will not fade like the old original drums, especially if the originals have been machined several times during their 80 year life. The Hansen Ford Garage in southern CA has installed probably 25-30 sets in the last couple of years with great success. If you have the special equipment the installation is a piece of cake, however not many people have the tools necessary for a quality installation. It takes more than a ball peen hammer and anvil to do the job. Keep in mind the drums are only part of the braking system and will not solve all your braking problems. For proper operation the entire braking system must be rebuilt with new bushings, rollers, pins, cams etc. After the new parts are installed comes the hard part which is centering the shoes, adjusting the rods etc.

Ray64 · 07-19-2010, 06:38 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have them installed on my car and love them.By the time i had them installed and trued up i was into them for about $400.00 bucks.Butit was worth it.Stops on a dime.RAY

kenparker · 07-19-2010, 07:32 AM

I have them on 2 of my A's and have put them on two other A owners cars. I am totally satisfied with his product. The drums are a quality product and Mel is great to work with. I did all the removing the old drums, cleaning up the existing hub and installing the studs then truing the shoes in my shop. In most cases there are other worn parts in the brake system that need to be replaced. It is a big job but well worth the effort.

John LaVoy · 07-19-2010, 08:02 AM

We did an article on Mel's drums in the Model A Times. They are well made and a great value.

DeBordEngineMan · 07-20-2010, 05:13 PM

Thanks for all the help on the drums, Robert DeBord

07-18-2010, 08:18 PM	#1
DeBordEngineMan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Church Hill TN Posts: 190	Has anyone used the cast drums offered by Mel Gross in California? I may be getting ahead of myself a little if you read my previous post on my factory steel drums but I like to be prepared for bad news if my steel drums are shot. I have seen Mel Gross"s ad for the drums on another website and have contacted him they seem to be very reasonable priced but how good are they? Has anybody used these drums what type of workmanship are they? How is he to work with, basic end question are they good drums or not? Should have touched on this question in previous post but forgot. Thanks for your time and help, Robert DeBord

07-18-2010, 09:20 PM	#2
Preacher Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 200	Re: Has anyone used the cast drums offered by Mel Gross in California? Absolutely agree. and IF you choose to use your old hubs it will hopefully remove an unsafe drum from being reused. __________________ If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is ... http://tcmafc.org/

07-18-2010, 09:23 PM	#3
TerryH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, Calif. Posts: 937	Re: Has anyone used the cast drums offered by Mel Gross in California? Lots of Model A owners here in S. Calif. have used Mel's cast iron drums, and I have only heard good things about them. I have them on my Model A...it was one of the first things I did when I bought it and I find they work very well and give excellent braking compared to thin steel drums.

07-18-2010, 09:40 PM	#4
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,895	Re: Has anyone used the cast drums offered by Mel Gross in California? "This is not a job for amateurs." Don Turley I TOTALLY AGREE, I have a complete machine shop a large press and easy access to a good Drum Lathe. I have replaced drums on both Model As and Early V-8s. Even with the equiptment I have it is still a big job. I would definately consider sending your old hubs to Mel and have him do the whole job. My Opinion Chris Last edited by CWPASADENA; 07-18-2010 at 09:45 PM. Reason: CLARIFICATION

07-18-2010, 10:21 PM	#5
Arlyn Bieber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 180	Re: Has anyone used the cast drums offered by Mel Gross in California? Mel sells a quality product. The drums are 1/4" thick and will not fade like the old original drums, especially if the originals have been machined several times during their 80 year life. The Hansen Ford Garage in southern CA has installed probably 25-30 sets in the last couple of years with great success. If you have the special equipment the installation is a piece of cake, however not many people have the tools necessary for a quality installation. It takes more than a ball peen hammer and anvil to do the job. Keep in mind the drums are only part of the braking system and will not solve all your braking problems. For proper operation the entire braking system must be rebuilt with new bushings, rollers, pins, cams etc. After the new parts are installed comes the hard part which is centering the shoes, adjusting the rods etc.

07-19-2010, 06:38 AM	#6
Ray64 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Grafton,OHIO Posts: 728	Re: Has anyone used the cast drums offered by Mel Gross in California? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have them installed on my car and love them.By the time i had them installed and trued up i was into them for about $400.00 bucks.Butit was worth it.Stops on a dime.RAY

07-19-2010, 07:32 AM	#7
kenparker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Van, Texas Posts: 1,122	Re: Has anyone used the cast drums offered by Mel Gross in California? I have them on 2 of my A's and have put them on two other A owners cars. I am totally satisfied with his product. The drums are a quality product and Mel is great to work with. I did all the removing the old drums, cleaning up the existing hub and installing the studs then truing the shoes in my shop. In most cases there are other worn parts in the brake system that need to be replaced. It is a big job but well worth the effort.

07-19-2010, 08:02 AM	#8
John LaVoy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 1,219	Re: Has anyone used the cast drums offered by Mel Gross in California? We did an article on Mel's drums in the Model A Times. They are well made and a great value.

07-20-2010, 05:13 PM	#9
DeBordEngineMan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Church Hill TN Posts: 190	Re: Has anyone used the cast drums offered by Mel Gross in California? Thanks for all the help on the drums, Robert DeBord