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Projects Nothing to see here - Just another boring Merc build

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 1pickup, Oct 25, 2025.

  1. desotot
    Joined: Jan 29, 2008
    Posts: 2,051

    desotot
    Member

    Great thread ! My avatar has a big nail head.I will be following this build.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2026
    1pickup likes this.
  2. desotot
    Joined: Jan 29, 2008
    Posts: 2,051

    desotot
    Member

  3. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    I'm running into a problem on the rear end. It's supposed to be a '65 Econoline. It's got 10" x 2 1/2" shoes. Having a hard time finding drums, unless I wanna pay $500 for a pair. It' looking like they're the same as '63-'67 Fairlane wagon & '66 Falcon Ranchero. Not your everyday Explorer **** that's being used. Any ideas where to find some? Rockauto.com is my go-to, but everything's out of stock, and expensive as hell.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  4. cshades
    Joined: Sep 2, 2011
    Posts: 598

    cshades
    Member
    from wi

    hey Dave. i have a set of brakes/backing plates and drums that are 11x2 that i took off a 9" ford and put on disc brakes for a customer about 10 years ago. they have been sitting on the shelf and i hated to throw them in the metal dumpster. If you want them you can have them. i dont know if that would help you along or not
     
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  5. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    Thanks, Chris. But I just found & ordered brake drums - whoa boy. Rare & expensive for these 2 1/2" brakes. Apparently, since they used them on Shelby's, they are twice as much as a Mustang. Best I could find was just over $200/pr delivered. I was expecting to get them in town for half that. I also have another 9" that has 11" brakes. I didn't want to change them, as I already had the backing plates mounted and all the new parts to put on them. Don't throw those out.
     
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  6. cshades
    Joined: Sep 2, 2011
    Posts: 598

    cshades
    Member
    from wi

    if you want these Dave stop and pick them up. they are nice and clean with fairley new shoes and hardware on them
     
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  7. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    Well, of course. The brake drums are on backorder. I can't find these anywhere.
    Ford# CZ031126A
    Centric# 123.65007
    '64-'67 Econoline fits front & rear (w/ 9")
    '63-'67 Fairlane Wagon rear
    '66 Falcon Ranchero rear
    '65-'66 Shelby GT350 rear
    '67 Shelby rear
    I have the original drums that look like they'd clean up OK, but I bent both of them trying to get them off the axles. Tried straightening them out but gave up. Might have to revisit this, or go to 11"X2", or maybe the 10"X1 3/4" shoes will go on my backing plates. Those drums I have found. Really not trying to go to rear discs.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  8. akoutlaw
    Joined: May 13, 2010
    Posts: 1,574

    akoutlaw
    Member

    You might try these guys on EBAY.
    Quick Performance Racing

    100% positive feedback•207K items sold
    Joined Oct 2000
    Usually responds within 24 hours
    High Performance Axles, Housings, Gears, Spools, Differentials, Brake Kits, Bearing Kits, & Third Members.
     
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  9. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    @akoutlaw Lots of parts, but I don't see them having any drums of any size.

    A further search on eBay, finds some I think are correct. They are all over $200 EACH.
    Still digging around the web w/ new part #s.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2026
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  10. akoutlaw
    Joined: May 13, 2010
    Posts: 1,574

    akoutlaw
    Member

    I bought a set of 9" Ford drums & complete brake kits with backing plates from them. They had lots of options available at that time a couple years ago.
     
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  11. 34 5W Paul
    Joined: Mar 27, 2020
    Posts: 457

    34 5W Paul
    Member
    from Fresno CA

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  12. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    @34 5W Paul & @akoutlaw you both mention COMPLETE KITS, and I'm looking for 10"X2.5" drums only. I looked at their eBay site and saw no individual drums. Yes, I could use the larger diameter drums/backing plates, etc. on my axle. The problem is that I already have all new everything for the 10"X2.5" set up. At this point, I'd rather spend $100 each on those drums, than $350 for the 11". And, if my math is correct, 11 x 2 = 22 and 10 x 2.5 = 25. Isn't that more stopping area? After digging around the web & finding cross reference numbers, I searched those & ordered a pair but will have to wait & see if they're gonna be backordered as well or show up and be the wrong ones.
     
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  13. patsurf
    Joined: Jan 18, 2018
    Posts: 2,652

    patsurf

    heck,why worry about the rear brakes-front's do the work!
     
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  14. akoutlaw
    Joined: May 13, 2010
    Posts: 1,574

    akoutlaw
    Member

    I didn't look thru their whole website. I recommended the information as a possible place that might have the drums that you are looking for. You might try calling them or emailing them and inquire if they have the drums that you need or maybe can steer you to someone that offers them.
     
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  15. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    Just let go of a good running sbc/700R for $450 because it was in my way. Might regret that later, but I'm liking the room around my ch***is better. I'm in the downsizing mood. Or at least keeping cooler/older junk around, and making my life easier. I've got the steering linkage completed. Looks like it'll work. Next up: bending the sway bar to fit the new A-arms and making link pins that will work with the mismatched parts. Hoping to get ch***is done far enough to drop the engine and trans in and build mounts soon.
     
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  16. 63Biscuit
    Joined: Mar 7, 2007
    Posts: 843

    63Biscuit
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Hudson, WI

    Good thread. I'm just here hoping to see to see your Merc at Symco this year.
     
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  17. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    I'll be there, but probably in my '47 Buick. Drove the Merc up there quite a few years ago. My shop is a one-man operation. I can't finish them in 30 minutes like on TV.
    upload_2026-1-19_0-39-6.png
     
  18. 34 5W Paul
    Joined: Mar 27, 2020
    Posts: 457

    34 5W Paul
    Member
    from Fresno CA

    RockAuto shows the Centric and the Raybestos drums for that application in stock. 2626R is the Raybestos one.

    Brake drums.jpg

    2626r.jpg
     
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  19. 63Biscuit
    Joined: Mar 7, 2007
    Posts: 843

    63Biscuit
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Hudson, WI

    That roofline might be the best GM ever did. Looking forward to seeing yours @ Symco!
     
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  20. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    @34 5W Paul Yup. Those are in stock. Except the ones under it are the right ones. Fits front, and rear with 2 1/2" shoes. At $147 each, I'm still looking for an alternative. I have some coming from another place. They were listed as correct, but the pic showed different. I'll find out soon.
     
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  21. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    upload_2026-1-26_12-48-42.png
    OK. These are a little weird looking with the flat face but seem to fit. I found them on Amazon, of all places. They were listed under the part # I was looking for, but the pics showed as 4-hole bolt pattern. Took a chance, and they were 5-holes. The description was correct; the pic was wrong. About $100 cheaper/pair than RockAuto. Now I can put the rear brakes together, get 4 wheels bolted on, and start putting the eng/trans in. Yay!
     
  22. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    As a former rural mail carrier of about 30 years, I've probably done more brake work than most. I have never had such a hard time putting together drum brakes before. I swear I needed 3 hands, and they all needed to be half of the size, and twice the strength that I have. Effin' Fords. Got to love the ease of GMs.
    I'll probably have to dis***emble them again, when I get the E brake cables figured out. Of course, '49 Merc is a one year only front cable. ***uming the rears are same '49-'51?
     
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  23. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,605

    Squablow
    Member

    In '51 the stock Mercury rear switched to a Dana 44 instead of the oddball they had the first two years, so I wouldn't ***ume that the rear parking brake cables are the same for all 3 years. They might be, but it's worth investigating.
     
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  24. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    Considering I'm using an Econoline rear, I'm not sure if the Merc stuff will work either. I'll need to try it out, and if it doesn't fit, buy some new rears that will fit the rear axle. Just trying to use off-t******lf stuff when possible, before using a "universal" kit that fits nothing.
     
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  25. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    upload_2026-2-1_17-5-54.png
    I rounded up four junk 215 75 15 tires and mounted them to the wheels I'm hoping to run. Being off the jack stands and on wheels/tires feels like progress.
     
  26. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,901

    1pickup
    Member

    OK. Looking for advice. I need to modify the stock sway bar to work with my new lower A-arms. First thought was to bend it until it might work, but I'd still have to make something to connect it to the Lower A-arm link pin. I'm not wanting to change the tabs on the powder coated arms.
    New plan-
    upload_2026-2-2_16-8-44.png
    This should work fine if I cut the last bend off and:
    A) Weld a tab to the bar for the link pins to bolt to. Or,
    B) Use the bracket I made (shown), slip it over the cut bar, and drill through/bolt to the bar with two 1/4" bolts.
    There is a little "play" between the bar's OD & the tubing's ID. Probably could put some PTFE tubing or
    something in there to take up the space & make quiet & smooth. Or,
    C) Cut the bar about another 2" shorter, drill/tap the end, and use that to bolt a Heim end to it, which would be
    the top end of the link pins.
    These are listed in order of ease, and parts available. Welding to the bar is frowned upon, but it would be right at the end, and I doubt it would cause a problem. I'd prefer to use stock style GM link pins with rubber bushings (I have a new pair), so A & B are my first choices. C would be easy to do, but I'd have to find some 3/8" female rod ends, and since they all seem to be 3/8-24, they won't screw on the 3/8-16 link pins. So, I'd have to get new fine threaded bolts for those. A trip to get hardware is about a 30-mile round trip for me.
    B is the way I'm leaning, so drilling and bolting through the bar is OK?
     
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