F1 front plates converted to fit Model A banjo rear. When I started doing this conversion, there was only a couple short topics and no real thread about how to do it. I noticed Rich B. said it could be done, but not without doing some modifications. I started out mounting the plates to the banjo rear, and clocked them so I could mount the wheel cylinder without doing any modifications. I did ask Rich if the brakes would function mounted like this? He said it was possible but I'd face some challenges when bleeding the system. I decided I'd mount them straight up and modify everything else around them to make it work. Next step required turning the Model A hubs to 2.875" so that the plentiful early 70's F100 rear brake drum could be used. My old brake lathe just barely pulled this off. More coming on this soon, time for work....
With the model a hubs turned to accept the f100 drums, next I had to remove about .100" from the drums so they wouldn't interfere with the backing plates. I couldn't find wheel studs that were a direct fit to the model a hub, so I sized ones that matched the threads and size I wanted and welded them to the hubs.
I had to make room for the wheel cylinders, so I cut away the old hangers and bought some weld on type. Then checked my clearance and welded the new hangers in place. It seems pretty strong and doesn't flex, but I will add a gusset in the future.
Convinced the F1 backing plates and F100 drum combo was going to work, I moved unto the parking brake. Wished I took more pics as I was doing this, but sometimes you get on a roll, and forget about telling the story. In this pic you can see how I welded in the e brake cable guide. With the cable guide attached I bought the longest 1939 - 48 ford e-brake cable. I believe it was 122" and started fabbing my hand brake mount to the transmission.
That's an interesting use of F1 brakes, I have a set but without hubs, might have to look into that...
The availability and price of F100 drums and brake parts is why I chose this combination. If you go with 40 hubs the offset is a little better than using model a hubs.
Although the e-brake works well, I'm still in the process of developing the bracket so it won't raise up near the speed o cable. I fabbed a standoff as part of the fulcrum type e-brake and used 1" square stock as my bracket. This system pulls evenly on both sides of the cable.
Last step was to run the brake lines along the rear radius rods and attach the 48 style shock mount. My main goal here was to see if the F1 type brakes could be fabbed to work with the Model A rear. Although I need to refine some of the parts, this setup works well and in the future the hardware is easy to find and replace.
Received my GM to 8ba distributor from Charlie NY. Charlie converts these distributors in small batches, either mechanical or vacuum. They have an excellent reputation that is superior to most all the aftermarket distributors for 8ba's. Before After: You can see the marks where he locked it down and dialed it in. Can't wait to get it installed.
Love the build. Just found your thread. Lots "hey I think this can work so let's figure it out" feels to it. Great work can't wait to see how you bring the rest together.
Awesome to see more progress on this John and great tech on the brakes. Do you have any pics or details on how you set up the parking brake on the backing plate?
Thanks redzula & Pete. Not much to update lately, I bought a 63 Falcon project about a year ago, and it's kind of taken over my spare time. Although I haven't given up on the SYC... I'm still accumulating parts for the next chapter. Pete: For your question about how I attached the e-brake tube to the backing plate. I found replacement tubes for a 48 Ford from a vendor (can't find the part number) next I copied from the pics Rich B's adds where he sells complete brake set ups. When I made the opening in the backing plate for the tube. I remember I had a lot of extra tube, so I shortened mine and welded them so it matched the pics of Rich's. This thread has some good pics as well: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...-put-early-f1-brakes-on-a-ford-banjo.1073582/
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