Need 11", 2.5 deep front drums. Anybody now of an economical solution? Will '60 Galaxy drums work? Seems you add the 1956 Fairlane, they ***ume you are older, retired, well off.
Double check front drum width. From what I recall, most '56 Fords had 11" X 2" front drums and shoes, but station wagons, sedan deliveries, police cars and there was an HD brake option as well...... Had 11" X 2-1/4" front drums and shoes. I believe 11"X 2-1/2" front drums and shoes were standard on '60 and later cars. Although someone may have retro-fitted wider drums and shoes onto you '56. I have done that with Chevys of the same year. ***uming you do have the 2-1/2" wide drums and shoes on your '56 Ford...... 1964 Galaxie rear drums were 11" X 2-1/2" wide. Possibly other years as well. You might be able to pick up some good used rear drums to replace your front drums (rear drums usually do not wear out as quickly as front drums). Pretty much like what we used to do with door striker plates on '50s cars. Front and rear were same and rears didn't get as much use, so we'd pick up a few sets of rear striker plates from 4-door cars and use them on the front doors of our 2-door cars when the old ones wore out. Plus no one ever asked for the rear striker plates (they hardly ever wore out), so wrecking yards would part with them for a good price in the '70s. Hope this helps, Harry
You might look for '63 or 64 Galaxie wagon brakes. They are 11x3. I've used them on some '63 and '64 full sized Ford cars and loved the stopping power. If your car can accept 11x2 1/2 drums, the threes bolt right on.