36-37 wide 5 brake drums

[Ray Balukas]

The 36 drum doesn't have the metal ring inside, the 37 drum does. Just wondering if this was the way the 36 drum was, and if it was a change for the 37-39. I had the 36 drums turned. the 37 drums was to thin to use. Thanks Ray

[Kurt in NJ]

sometime like april-may 36 the change was made, smaller bearing, hardened sleeve, replaceable

[Ray Balukas]

Kurt in NJ, I getting ready to install new bendix brakes . I plan on using the 36 drum. Just checking to make sure it is ok to use.The bearings are the same on the two. Only difference is the ring . I dont want to mess up the rear housing . THANKS Ray

[Gary in La.]

The '36 drum will require a special thrust washer that goes in first before the bearing. Barnfind08 (Fred Wilner) has these in his stock.

[Ray Balukas]

Thanks Gary, I sent Barnfind08 a message.

[Ray Balukas]

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I purchased a thrust washer from Fred , for some reason it wont' work without modification. With all the Vendors Ford had , could some have been made that didn't require a Thrust washer? On the 36 drum the bearing rests on the 6 posts and is just below the top of the race, The same bearing in the 37 drum with washer is almost flush with the top of the race. Thanks for reading and any info would help. Ray

[Gary in La.]

Ray, I found out after the fact from my friend who had the same problem with the thrust washers in the '36 wide 5 drum and hub. He had to do some mods to get it to work also. Will try to get more info.


He ended up using the ends off from an old bearing. These cages are hardened so should work well. They also have a little nub that will go against the hub and prevent rotation. The spacing is just right for the bearing position in the race.

[Don C]

I had tried washer number 68-1184A from the Early Ford Store. These are the right size if you can pull the sleeve out take a bit out of the drum to make room for the washer and put the sleeve back in. Not sure what that would take or if it's even worth it. As Gary said I used the sides of the bearings, mainly because the drums I used were worn pretty bad in the drum where the bearing cage rubs on it. I had to use two bearing sides in one drum and one in the other just to center up the bearing on the race. The bearing sides are about 1/8" thick so may be too thick for a drum that is not worn out like the ones I have.

[Ray Balukas]

Thanks Don and Gary. I'll give that a try. I cut the race I got so that I had just the outer edge. On one it was just about perfect . On the other I had to grind some off .But I was worrying about rotation and metal getting in causing Damage. I' thinking about getting the 37 Drums relined at LG Brake, to be safe. I'm a bit nervous about the inner bearing surface on the Rear end. Any thoughts? Again Thanks Ray