Ok. My buddy and I were talking about this the other day, and I have tried searching it out but with no luck. I have a 9" out of a 59 ranchero and two extra 45 fin drums, I also have a spare set of 40 backing plates and the buick plates as well. Have any of you put buick drums on a 9 inch? How did it work out for you? I know it's been done. Maybe someone has some insight....
One of the problems is that the Buick is a 12 inch drum and most 9 inch Ford backing plates are 11 inches. A set of 10 inch backing plates ( off a 8 inch ) will bolt on the small bearing 9 inch housings. But is going the wrong way A good starting point ( IMHO ) would be a set of 12" rear Buick backing plates. Then modify them to fit the Ford housing. I would guess that a large bearing 9 inch Ford housing would be the better candidate. SOME Ford F-250 trucks came with 12 inch brakes ( both in 2 inch and 2 and 1/2 inch widths ) ... Might be a decent starting point
Both our rears are small bearings. I have the buick backing plates. And 40 ford backing plates. I guess my concern is if the spacing is close. I could mate the 9" plates with the buick or 40's and have similar spacing. The concern then would be whether or not I need spacers for the drums? Hmm mind boggling.
I've given a bunch of thought to this subject. Here's how I would do it (It ain't cheap): Chop bearing retainer cups off the 9-inch housing, and replace them with a set of Buick bearing retainer cups. Get these either from the housing the Buick backing plates came from, or see if an aftermarket company has them with the Buick bolt pattern. Companies like Moser have several different styles of bearing retainer cups for narrowing housings. Once you have the proper bearing retainer on your 9-inch, you'll have to look into making a C-clip eliminator set-up. This can be pretty easy--In fact, some Olds rear ends from the '80s had c-clip eliminators from the factory, though the housings looked like regular 10-bolt housings. You'll then need to have Moser (or someone) make you a set of axles, with the flange the proper distance from the bearing. This is one of the dimensions they ask for when ordering axles anyway. That dimension will be determined by how far the inside face of the drum needs to be from the backing plate. Like I said, that's where my thinking has taken me, and I don't see a reason it wouldn't work. Also, you are using rear backing plates, right? Becasue of the park brake cables... -Brad
I believe Bob Wilson can make a pair of his Lincoln 12" backing plates work for you. I know he can do the finned aluminum ones too as I bought a set to fit big 9" ends on a Winters QC. Charlie
I sure would not want to replace late Ford brakes with '40's!!!When I did the Buicks way back when for the first time, I did a layout on paper to check the offset, fit, etc. Everything I had saved for reference in the mags was wrong. I would layout the brake drum and then the plates and check them with the axle and hub.
I saw this done ona 46-8 Ford ch***is in a salvage yard but not sure how they did it. I don't know if this helps other than it can be done.
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