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Old 02-15-2020, 05:50 PM   #1
fredski53
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Default Cast iron brake drums

Hey Guys, I’ve been thinking about breaking out the wallet and investing in some cast iron drums. Are the ones in the Vendors catalogue the same quality as from let’s say Randy Gross?
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Old 02-15-2020, 06:06 PM   #2
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

I'd go with Randy and have him fit them to the hub and turn them concentric. They are then ready to fit and go so long as your shoes are centred, which I'd check at the same time.
You will notice a vast improvement in stopping ability with cast drums.
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Old 02-15-2020, 08:00 PM   #3
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

Deling with Randy is first class. and his products -Drums - are first class
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Old 02-15-2020, 09:06 PM   #4
Doug Linden
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

Can't do any better than Randy, he's the best.
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Old 02-15-2020, 10:31 PM   #5
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

Quote:
Originally Posted by fredski53 View Post
Hey Guys, I’ve been thinking about breaking out the wallet and investing in some cast iron drums. Are the ones in the Vendors catalogue the same quality as from let’s say Randy Gross?


Hmmm.... I’m new to Model As, and I’m not familiar with Randy Gross. Does he have a web site?


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Old 02-15-2020, 11:41 PM   #6
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

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I am not familiar with the vendors brake drums, but I am Randy's, fine workmanship..
Randy usually posts an ad on the swap section. Here is one of his posts, uses I believe his dad's name

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276325
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Old 02-16-2020, 02:28 AM   #7
Bill G
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

Give Randy a call. He's the best.
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Old 02-16-2020, 09:25 AM   #8
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

Ditto on the comments above; Randy is the best!
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Old 02-16-2020, 11:45 AM   #9
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

Folks, Snyder's and Bratton's will do the same job that Randy will do. The hubs will be mounted and centered and you'll get a first class job. I would bet all the parts (hubs and drums) come from the same vendor. I think it would be best to check the prices at Snyder's, Bratton's and Randy Gross's to get the best price. I don't think you can go wrong at any of the three places. I used Snyder's for all four, and have been extremely satisfied.
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Old 02-16-2020, 12:02 PM   #10
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

Just as a heads up; unless you have the correct tooling, installing cast iron drums is not a do it your self home project. If you have not done so yet, I suggest googling "fordbarn; cast iron drums"

for example;

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263496
Most shops that can turn drums will not have the arbors to mount the Model A hubs to center after the drum is installed. Also before the drums are mounted the flanges on the hubs need to be checked for run out.

If you have the hole saw like sold by suppliers, you can remove the old drums to save on shipping, but that might be a wash considering the cost of a good hole saw?
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Old 02-16-2020, 12:14 PM   #11
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

I went with Randy, great service.
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Old 02-16-2020, 12:35 PM   #12
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

I had horrible loud squealing brakes, and called Randy. I sent my brakes to him and he did his usual quality work. Now I have outstanding brakes. He is the best in my opinion.
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Old 02-16-2020, 01:03 PM   #13
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

I agree with all that is said above. However in my opinion and if you want to save some money, and if your brakes are set up so the fronts do most of the work, then i feel it is not necessary to do the back brakes with cast drums. I only have them in the front and the car will slide all four and stops just fine.
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Old 02-16-2020, 01:31 PM   #14
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

I agree with wmws, the front brakes do most the work on all vehicles.
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Old 02-16-2020, 03:14 PM   #15
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

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I agree with wmws, the front brakes do most the work on all vehicles.
I agree with wmws too but the front brakes on a standard Model A do not do most of the braking. There is a bias of about 60/40 towards the rear brakes. That can be improved by fitting cast drums to the front and a floating pin in the wedge. I've done that on a couple of my cars but still the rear wheels lock before the front go even close. My latest mod is to get more action at the front by putting the longer rear levers on the front also. It's like having power assist.
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Old 02-16-2020, 09:02 PM   #16
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

Randy Gross drums, Snyder’s drums and Brattons drums are all different drums. Yes- 3 different companies making drums now.
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Old 02-17-2020, 03:26 AM   #17
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Default Re: Cast iron brake drums

Randy is the go to guy for brake drums. Installing drums on Model A hubs is a lost art that few people know how to do. You do not want to have someone do the job that is not a Model A person. The old drums have to be removed and the new ones installed very carefully as you can easily warp the hub flange, or crack the drum.

Randy offers this service and at a reasonable price. His drums are .010 under size, so that once the hubs are installed he turns them down by taking .010 off. This trues the drum to the hub and sets it at the spec size for a new drum.

Randy is a good guy to do business with.

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