Technical Buick drums on Ford backing plates

Im trying on my buick finned drums, I ***ume I need to trim the backing plates some? It rubs if you tighten down the hub nut. (Ignore the wheels/tires, theyre just on do to a test fit.) Thanks

 

The "lip" on the inside of the drum has to be machined off. It's about 1/4" deep. I have 4 of 'em on Wilson Welding backing plates, two are new reproductions. I have one that still kisses a spot on the backing plate, and had a little lip left from machining that looked like the culprit. That drum has a tiny bit of run-out, and cornering hard it still hits. I'm gonna have to put in a lathe and take a little more...

 

Just like flyinbrian48 said. I had to do the same thing. I used a small end mill in my drill press, mounted my drum and hub on a spare spindle, squeezed the spindle nut into a drill press vice and cut the relief back on the Buick drum until I had a small amount of clearance. Bingo! 40K miles later it's still good even around corners when things flex.

 

Awesome!!!! Thanks guys so if I understand is this the lip you refer to?

 

And this is the lip marked in red on mine?

 

@RICH B

 

Cut the aluminum to clear the lip; but leave the iron liner for the shoes to act on.

 

Like this.

 

Have done dozens of this conversion using the Buick drums with 46-48 hubs. The machine work is relatively easy for a savvy machine shop. I've done it with early Ford backing plates, F250 backing plates, Wilson Welding and MT Lincoln backing plates. All have worked out good.

 

Drop by some day and I'll show you mine. I'm using 46 backing plates and spindles.

 

@Joliet Jake I'd like to come by one day see your project too. Thanks man! Nick

 

The lip I was referring to was the groove between the braking surface and the fins. You may have to narrow the braking surface if it contacts the backing plate. This operation is easily accomplished on a brake lathe .

 

Does anyone make an after market Buick style drum to work with the F2 backing plate . Thanks for the help , I have read this somewhere but it’s long gone again , from my overloaded brain .

 

They do look very cool when completed!

 

If you are using Lincoln backing plates I have machined off the inner ring to give the Buick drum room without rubbing.

 

The cast iron replacement front drums that Kanter marketed were the only thing I've heard of that matched the aluminum drums in size; but not appearance

 

Dont Bolling bros do buick style drums for lincoln backing plates?? I think they fit ford as well, but you may have to use their hubs

https://www.bolingbrothers.com/buick-style-45-fin-brake-drum/

 

Boling Bros regular and fin trimmed drums will fit Ford hubs; just have to add press in studs.

 

So help me Bowling Bros will fit F2 backing plate and F1 hub ? I hate to be a pest , just need help before dropping the lunch money . Thanks again

 

No; Boling Bros drums are designed to work with Ford Lockheed or repop Lincoln style brakes.

F-2 plates have lesser dish than the above plates; the plates are also a little larger in diameter and will not line up with the groove in the drum.

The drums can be adapted with some work to the edge and along with a machined spacer. Maybe not the coolest deal; but less change to the scrub than all the disc brake kits that bump the wheel out an inch per side or worse yet those thick spacers people like to put '35 wires on flat face drums.

 

You don't need an aftermarket Buick the drum to run F2 backing plates. I used regular 59 Buick drums, Wilson welding hubs, 1950 F2 backing plates , #33 brake shoes, and mid 60s F250 wheel cylinders. It took some very minor main work to have the drums and backing plates not rub on each other, but I accomplished everything using my drill press an end mill, and a brake lathe . Less than an hour total. 15 years and 40k miles later, it still stops straight and true.

 

Thank you , for the needed info .