Tommy The spacers are 9/16 thick....not counting the raised ring. The ring is just a fuzz under 3 1/2......so the backing plate hole would need to be about 3 1/2. Sounds like the lincoln backing plates allready have a hole larger than these spacers. Steve
Rocky, there's a (4 page) Ron Ceridono article in March 1998 Street Rodder showing the Buick brake install on Ford spindles (and 9" rear.) Pretty comprehensive EXCEPT for specs. Photos of the spacer made up and recommends (NAPA # 641-1138) serrated studs. Basically, the story is a promo for Wayne Atkinson of Atkinson Machine...apparently he was doing up the adapters then. Dunno about now. Gave his address as 466S 5th W, Dept SRM Rexburg, ID 83440 (208) 356-3066 (Yeah, that street number is printed in SR as 466"S", tho could be it should have been a 5.) Duohhhh.... "Hot Rod Works use to sell them back when it was Atkinson's Machine......" guess I shoulds read mecutem's earlier post better... Let us know it works, this has got a TECHOMATIC feel to it!
I have two articles on the conversion and the specs for the spacer. pm me your address and they're in the mail.
The 65 too70Buickplates have a hole that measures 3.48" except for the Rivs the have a 3.08 hole in them I can't find the sizes in my book for the pre 65 plates?Anyone have that info?
I'm running this set up on my A. Spacers aquired from Atkinson,hubs from Wilson welding,'59 Buick drums and backing plates. Fits great,but have not got the car finished,so no real world data on how they work. I expect to have all the brake I can use. Wheel cylinders were hard to find for the buick brakes.
Bring out your dead! *bong* Bring out your dead! *bong* I'm not dead yet! I don't want to go on the cart... Holy cow - this thread is from Nov '03! Lots of good info in it & it's linked to in the archives, but wow!
Anybody know where to get these spacers now, or a drawing so I can make my own? I have access to a CNC, maybe I can get a batch done.
There is something available on E-bay. He is selling backing plates and all, but said he can sell just the adapters. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150201796025&rd=1
Might have an idea about welding the centers of the backing plates.Simplified,cut the same size square out of the centers of each ford and buick backing plate.Weld a verticle collar around the horizontal plates you cut out.Set the spacing and let the collar make up for the hills and valleys of each.Weld And trim excess collar material
That ebay rig is pretty but I have doubts. The backing plate is visable in the side shot. I have found that the plate should be well inside the drum for the shoes to line up right with the drums. He is using '40 hubs so the regular accepted stack up is off. The adapters could be machined/designed to compensate but it sure does not look right to me. I would much rather have Bob Wilsons stuff as I absolutly know it is right and works. I have thought of cutting the centers out of the Buick backing plates and welding in new Ford centers. Again, nothing to be gained and Bob's stuff is a hell of a deal.
+1 on Wilson Welding, I've heard nothing but good about him, and he was very polite and helpful over the phone.
Still so much mystery on the buick brake set ups. The machined adapter allows the use of the stock buick 12 by 2 1/2 shoes. Huge stopping power. I have been out of the adpters for a while. Others here on the hamb sell them too. Jet Doc is one I know of. I have a detailed 3 page mag article (by Wayne Atkinson)on how to put the buick backing plates on ford spindles. Also details putting them on the rear. Also the specs for the adapter. This is not super secret info so pm me if you would like copies. I would post the info here but my scanner sucks big time. A couple bucks donation for handling and processing would be a nice gesture but not required. PM me for address Steve .
Andy knows nothing about what he claims above. Those are set up exactly where a 58-60 buick backing plate is supposed to be. I know those are mine that were for sale.
The square back spindles work better with this set-up. The round back spindle needs a fair amount of grinding to clear the deep recess of the Buick backing plate.
That is what i ran into when i decided to get a pair of 60 buick plates on my early ford spindles.I copied the spacer idea and attempted this myself,4 days of welding and machine work i got it to work.The only difference is i used the buick hubs with spacers i made to convert them to ford wheel bearings.Then i reshot the wheel bolt pattern to 4.50 and trimmed the snout of the hub to fit the rim.Was a ton of work but it was a "yea i can do that" thing and was glad when it was done.So I peppered the finished backing plates with 60 plus holes each on the roatery table and sent it out for chrome.Ill try to post picks when they get back.
i talked to my cnc guy(son in law) and with the specs maybe this price can go way down ... they need the work..and these 4 axis machines need to hump 24 -7 please pm me the specs or let me know the SR isue no. or date thanks paperdog
At one time, The Hot Rod Works would send you the specs to machine the spacers. Don't know if they will do it now, but they are only a phne call or email away.
I have thought of this method too. Has anyone ever tried to put Buck brakes on a '47-'54 Chevy/ '53-'62 Corvette spindle? Tom
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