1932 Brake Drums on a 1933?

[Chuck Kuntz]

I have a pair of NOS 1932 front brake drums. Is there any reason I can't use them on my 1933 other than the slight difference in external appearance?

[DavidG]

Chuck,

What's the 'slight difference'? Normally, there is none as they were carryover parts.

Dave

[David J]

Originally Posted by Chuck Kuntz

I have a pair of NOS 1932 front brake drums. Is there any reason I can't use them on my 1933 other than the slight difference in external appearance?

Chuck , I assume you are talking about the differences shown in the attached pics . The area around the studs is way different . Both of these have the same B- part # . Dunno where the one on the left and it's mate came from as they were loose { extra } with a 33 I bought . Only pair I have like that On a completely different note - ya gotz anymore nice 33 hubcaps ? Always lookin fer mor a dem David J

[1931 flamingo]

I may be wrong but I believe the pictures shown are of "rocky mountain" brake drums, open to dissepate the heat> Others wil correct me if I'm wrong.
Paul in CT

[Charlie Stephens]

The Green Bible shows that the same drums (B1115) were used '32-'34 so there should be no problem. All of the '32-'34 drums were open as shown in the pictures.

Charlie Stephens

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

I may be wrong but I believe the pictures shown are of "rocky mountain" brake drums, open to dissepate the heat> Others wil correct me if I'm wrong.
Paul in CT

[Mart]

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As you have both types in front of you, you should be able to judge if they will work. If the only differences are in non-functional areas and all important working surfaces are identical you should be able to use them with confidence.

Mart.

[Richard (EV8G)]

Not sure if you are referring to the "stands" on the inside of each stud not being present on some of them? If the stands are missing, it is probably because "someone" ground them away so that 40>up disc wheels could be installed on the now-flat surface with adequate stud protrusion for proper installation of the lug nuts. This is the opposite of installing the wire wheels on the (flat) 40>up drums, where a support ring is required.

Or is it something else?

[Richard (EV8G)]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

The Green Bible shows that the same drums (B1115) were used '32-'34 so there should be no problem. All of the '32-'34 drums were open as shown in the pictures.

Charlie Stephens

I have some (aftermarket?) covers for the open drums that fit over the studs before the wheel is installed, thus enclosing the drum...

[David J]

Originally Posted by Richard (EV8G)

Not sure if you are referring to the "stands" on the inside of each stud not being present on some of them? If the stands are missing, it is probably because "someone" ground them away so that 40>up disc wheels could be installed on the now-flat surface with adequate stud protrusion for proper installation of the lug nuts. This is the opposite of installing the wire wheels on the (flat) 40>up drums, where a support ring is required.

Or is it something else?

Richard , The stands are there on both drums and they don't appear to have ever been messed with . I don't know if this is what Chuck is talking about but this is the only difference in gennie 32-34 drums that I'm aware of . They would be totally interchangeable as it is a cosmetic difference and would be impossible to tell with a wheel installed . Same part # on both types . The casting and machining are different . Never had a reason to talk about this but now I'm curious David J

[Bruce Lancaster]

I never compared any of the '32 drums I have, but in many other years of Ford V-8's there are several different-appearing but fully interchangeable drums because Ford used multiple suppliers. At some level, there were different suffixes on the part numbers to denote different sources, but at the dealer and public level there was only one part number because there was no need to distinguish. I'm pretty sure this is what you are seeing, just drums supplied by Ford, Budd, whoever.
There may even be minor variants produced after '32-4 from post-production orders for the parts business.
I think this may be discussed best in the V8 club 1938-9 books...they fully lay out the variants found in those years and the factory-level numbers identifying them. Do not know whether '32 book discusses them.

[DavidG]

Bruce,

Unlike in later years, like '35-'36 where there were numerous major drum differences, the differences that I've noted in '33-'34 drums, front or rear, did not merit attention in the book.

For 1931 Flamingo, there were no 'Rocky Mountain' brakes for '32s. The openings in the front drum are completely covered up when the wheel is installed, hence no cooling benefit is achieved. Most likely the openings represent a modest attempt to reduce un-sprung weight.

Dave

[DavidG]

Make that '32-'34 brake drums, not '33-'34, in my reply to Bruce. Back to proof reading school for me.

[Chuck Kuntz]

Thanks for the help.