Technical 2 1/2" Front Brakes

Looking to run 12 x 2 1/2" wide brake shoes on front of 39 Ford. Found old race car drums , what changes would backing plates require?

 

That's a loaded question that's hard to answer without pictures and without hands on measuring and comparing of parts.

Too many variables, does the diameter of drums match backing plates? Do the brake shoe mounting points match the mounting points on the backing plates ? Etc etc ...

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Want to use Lincoln backing plates, but thinking backing plates are for 2" so I guess better question is can I use wider brake shoes ?

 

no. not bolt on. with a welder, anything is possible

 

just thinking out load; wheel cylinder will need to be centered in shoe and brake pins and springs would be longer. on the rear the e-brake arm and balance bar may have to be bent in. Lincoln are bends style so the anchor pin would need to be a little longer so the springs would hook correctly and the shoe would seat on the rests. depending on where the drum sits against the hub, the whole backing plate may have to be brought in or out.

 

Okay cool that was the direction I was thinking.
Thank you

 

I found 12" brakes that were wider on a late 60's second generation Econoline 3/4 ton van and took off its backing plates to see if I could make something work. That was some time ago and the memory has faded with time.

 

48-56 F2 or F200 are what size ? I’m thinking these may be what you need

 

I have F2 backing plates and shoes on my avatar roadster. They are 12x2. They came off a 51 F2.

 

What drums did you use with F2 stuff ? Thanks for the tip , my friend

 

I used 57-59 Buick drums with a Wilson hub. Been excellent stopping since I put it on the road in 2009.

 

Good deal thanks for the tip .