39 brake upgrades

[cuzncletus]

Is there any way to improve the performance of 39 brakes while retaining the wide 5 lug pattern and original drums?

[Marv]

Yes you can buy a kit from Speedway to use brake rotors and Calipers from different vehichles to fit the ford spindles. I like the complete kit that has the 4 3/4" bolt pattern for close to $300. Kit 910-31946. Then you buy the wide 5 bolt adapters 916-582-58251 $50 each. You will need a adapter to mount the new master cylinder to your pedal assy. I hope this helps. There may be other places you can buy some of this stuff. Marv

[Butch11443]

Also canadapt F-1 brakes to front axel. Have to use everything and get a special bearing kit.
Butch

[Kahuna]

Cletus
When the 39 wide 5 brakes are in good condition, they work real well. Sometimes the brake drums are worn and will cause the pedal to pulse. This is generally not fixable without finding new drums- not an easy task.

[Richard (EV8G)]

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Originally Posted by cuzncletus

Is there any way to improve the performance of 39 brakes while retaining the wide 5 lug pattern and original drums?

The best/easiest way would be to buy a set of new 12" Bendix brakes like were originally used on 39-48 Lincolns (a few variations but the same Bendix design) which are self-energizing. This means that (unlike the 39 Ford/Lockheed brakes) both shoes engage the drum for stopping AND the energy of the turning drum is transferred to the forward shoe, and then to the rearward shoe through the adjuster link. This provides MUCH better stopping power with less pedal effort. THE ORIGINAL 39 WIDE-5 DRUMS AND WHEELS CAN BE USED WITH THESE NEW BRAKES so you do not need any adaptors or other "band-aid" stuff.

The fronts require a small amount of grinding on the front spindles to
clear the ledge below the wheel cylinder; the rears usually clear ok,
but in some cases, might have to do a small amount of grinding on
the spring hangers or the brake plate.

Note that F-1/F-100 brakes are only 11", so cannot be used with the
original drums, and also cannot be used on the rear.

You may contact me for more info.