Hot Rods Finding the right drums for F1 front brakes

I installed an F1 front brake set on my '40 axle and bought some mid-'80's F100 drums that were rumored to fit. They were the right lug pattern and diameter (11"), but rubbed on the backing plate and lacked 0.5" of seating on the hub. They were intended for 2.5" shoes, but the F1 has 2" shoes. I can't simply use 2.5" x 11" shoes because the spindle threads are not long enough.

So I paid twice as much for a set of aftermarket drums advertised to fit the F1 conversion. They were absolutely identical to the F100 drums.

I've read all the threads and pored over grainy brake prints on the Internet, but I still do not know what drums I should find.

 

Call Jim Cunningham in Mesa AZ 602/616-6579. He might still have my take off parts from when he installed my Mustang II front cross member.

Tell him Jon Fritch gave you the phone number.

 

Thanks, Jon - I called but your parts were also for 2.5"-wide brake shoes. Out of desperation, I bought a 1960 F100 front drum, and it fits (it's for 2" wide brakes).

So I don't know why my brakes bolted right up to my '40 axle do not fit the drums that everyone sells to fit this application. But if you end up with 2" shoes instead of 2.5" shoes, try the 1960 F100 drums.

 

did you ever resolve this issue?

 

I wish somebody or a group of somebodies would do a good old down to earth home cooked tech thread on brake drums and backing plates from the year dot upto about the mid 1960's.
Something that we can all sink our teeth into for future reference.
It would be so helpful and reduce costly mistakes.
Even if there is a Ford thread and a separate Chevy thread I don't care...

 

Old thread, lots of this info out there.
It's not always packaged neatly in a bundle that fits in your pocket.
Also it's easy to get mixed up

 

Some drum ID and fit info

Late model Bronco rear drum on F-1 hub. Seems most all the repop parts shops are selling these as "F-1" drums (at a higher price than if you bought them at your local parts store) without disclosing that they are in fact late model drums. Really sucks if you live down under.
Side by side of an F-100 and F-1 drum, showing difference in depth. Goes hand in hand with the hub offset difference pictures in 31Vic's previous post.

Factory original F-1 drum. Lincoln like ribs look good; haven't seen any good drums like this for years.

Regular parts aftermarket F-1 drum; these have been obsolete in the replacement parts market for quite a long time. Possible to still come across some serviceable used drums; but probably not worth bothering due to the low cost of the Bronco drums.
Cast iron reproduction F-1 drums that have been listed by the repop dealers in the past; but have been out of stock forever. Same pictures used to sell Bronco/F-100 drums by some. Also heard some reports of poor quality uneven castings (maybe that's why they are selling Bronco drums).

 

thanks again rich. I got a set of full backing plates thrown in with an F1 steering box I bought. they just need drums.

 

The drums Rich B pictured above are what we asked Vanpelts about and received this image of a correct F1 drum. Great we are good to go .What we received were bronco drums with a 3" shoe face , though still using the 8c-1125 ford part number which obviously then are not. These will not work in our particular application. We neede the step in the wheel face.
How can you be sure you get the correct part when the correct part number is used and the correct image, I dont know , a phone call maybe.
Have emailed Vanpelts 3 times over the past 4 weeks with zero response. All in all quite disappointing.
Our resident HAMB brake guru Rich B has helped us immensely with info and parts.
Many thanks Rich.

 

I have done This several times over and have sold complete sets of front brakes with them and just finished installing them on my 39 just recently. You can use F1 or F100 backing plates and hubs but both the backing plates and hubs must both be F1 or F100 due to the difference in hubs and backing plate offset at the spindle. Below is a complete list of all the parts you need to rebuild your F1 F100 brakes on early ford spindles and make them self adjusting to boot. all parts are readily available from rock auto and are good quality name brand parts.
ALL PARTS AND PRICES ARE FROM ROCK AUTO
Shoes and hardware are listed as 65 F100 Same wheel cylinders are used from 53 to 67

Brake Shoes WAGNER Z282R $22.79
Hardware kit WAGNER H7144 $ 7.24
Left Adjuster CARLSON H2540 $ 5.68
Right Adjuster CARLSON H2541 $ 5.68
Left wheel Cyl WAGNER WC41718 $11.49
Right Wheel Cyl WAGNER WC41719 $11.49
Wheel Cyl link CARLSON H14142 $ 7.28 Four needed 4 needed at $1.28 each

Brake drums for the rear of a 66 Bronco are the only ones that I have found to work Just right and register properly with the F1 and F100 hubs. No interference issues at all.

Brake Drums BENDIX PDR0115 $49.58 two needed at $24.79 each

Brake hoses are for 53 - 56 F100 They work better than later ones since they are longer, for early fenderless cars.

Brake Hose CENTRIC 15065000 $13.60 Two needed at $6.80 each.

Bearings from Speedway
Bearing and Seal kit Part # 91631934 $39.00

Total $168.15 Plus shipping

The above parts is everything you need to put F1 or F100 brakes on 37 to 41 spindles, and it will make them completely self adjusting. All you need is 2 backing plates and 2 hubs. When doing this, you cannot use the grease baffles originally in the brake, the adjuster cable hits the baffle. . With modern seals its not near the problem it was back in the day and using high temp disk brake bearing grease pretty much eliminates it. This is the system that I have been using for a long time and it works great. On top of that, you get better than the original F100 brakes since they self adjust. Plus you have all new hardware and bearings for less than the cost of 2 of those repop drums that are a 100 bucks a piece.

 

Where did you buy these parts for the prices you quoted ? Thanks Bill

 

This is the 66 Bronco rear drum.

 

I edited my earlier post. Those are all parts, prices and such from Rock Auto. But if you don't want to buy from them you can take those numbers and go to the parts store and pick them up.

 

Here is this set up on my 39. never mind the adjustment slot. That has since been addressed.

 

Thanks. I have done this swap many times before back to the late 60's. I have a set of F 100's on my 40 coupe now. I don't need any of the parts now , but I might in the future. Auto zone prices for the drums are $49.99 each !! Thanks. Later Bill

 

Those are nice. So the backing plates as well need to match f1 or f100. Good to know.

 

thank you!

 

The front backing plates from '48-'56 are all the same dimensionally.

Never have seen the difference in offset NJ's previous post was referring to.

Just be sure to get a left and right plate; and match the drum to the hub, of course.

 

Yes thanks rich. All my junk came off the same f1 so just need drums. The research ive done the drums and hubs are offset the same for each model . That would put the backers in the same spot for f1 and f100.

Im going to order the 80s drums .