Hello: If I may ask: Do the Buick 12 inch aluminum finned drums of the 50's and 60's have a steel contact liner? If so, are these replaceable? Did Buick offer the finned aluminum drum on front wheels only and NOT rear? Is there an after market firm who offer Aluminum finned brake drum? Thank you.
They have a steel liner. I don't know of anyone that replaces them, I would think it would be cost prohibitive. They were only on the front, although GN's from the 80's had a 10" Rear drum. So-cal makes a disc setup that hides inside of a finned cover that looks alot like a real one. You can make 12" buick fronts fit on the rear if you use the proper backing plates and do some machine work.
The finned drums first came out on everything in '58 (The Limited and possibly RoadMaster had them in '57). These have 45 fins spaced 1-inch apart, and have steel liners. I've heard that there is a company that can reline them, but never checked it out further. It seems like a lot of expense and hassle for parts that aren't terribly rare. In '64 or '65, they went to 90-fins, spaced 1/2-inch apart. These were on full-size Buicks until they all came with disc brakes ('69-'70). The finned drums are only found on the fronts, 12-inch iron drums on rear. There might be someone making new drums, but again, it seems like a big expense for a part that you can find on ebay or here for a fairly reasonable sum. OR, if you beat the junk yards yourself, you can get them very, very cheap. -Brad
Thanks Guys. I will go online as to see who relines Buick drums. Do you know if Buick Aluminum drums were used on 60's era gassers and AFX cars? Was Buick the only 50's and 60's American auto mfg to offer Aluminum drum brakes? Were all 5 x 5 bolt pattern?
A Pontiac guy told me he had sent some of his 8 lug Pontiac drums off to get new liners put in them. I don't know any specifics. If it can be done for the Pocho I don't see why not the Buick drums. As stated above though for the money I'd think you could source a few useable drums.
Buick switched to the 90 fins in 1966, and 1 3/16 brake cyl.(easier pedal effort) in 66 or 67. they were on big Buicks till 1970. front 12" X 2 1/4" rear 12"X 1 3/4". The liners are cast iron and are not worth relining. The max oversize I think is 12.100"or 12 3 /32" AGO
The 12" 45 finned drums came out in 58 and lasted until late 65. In 66 through at least 69 and maybe into 70 they had 90 fins. GM also used 9-1/2 finned aluminum drums (63 fins) in Buick Skylark, GS and Sport Wagons in the front from 67 until 70.....and they have a 2-1/2" brake surface. Pontiac also offered 12 finned drums for heavy duty applications from 60 to 66, for police and ambulances but if you get a chance, look for full size Pontiacs from 60 to 66 also. Although I have heard of people/companies that will reline the steel inner liner, I have never been able to find anyone. The originals were cast into the aluminum drum. The spec on the cast liner is a max of 12.10, I have seen them taken out a little more with no problems. Wilson&Welding of Flower Mound, TX is working on producing some new 45 finned drums, but the price is going to be healthy, as is their backing plates. They also make a "new hub" that requires no machining and will fit the Buick drum perfectly. I have 45 fin on all fours of my Model A project, using Wilson & Welding backing plates to match.
i have some new in the box aluminum brake drums, they are stamped gm? cant figure out what they go to? they were made in 1996 72 fins 5 lug bolt pattern, 11 1/2" tall and 3" wide on the outside? what do they go too?????
You should Start your own posting on this. This posting is 2 years old. Also check out the Tech archives, lots of postings on the Buick drums. Go HERE and post an add: this is the H.A.M.B O'dex. It is where you post information on your company, so members can find you and contact you.
Man finned drum covers are sick .. i just found some ninetys ... I am looking for backing plates to match .did they make ninety fin backing plates ......
There is a shop called Wilson Welding in Fort Worth Texas that makes modern finned drum kits. Look in the back of a Rod & Custom mag for their ad. Tex-T
J & G Drum Relining in McHenry, IL will install new cast iron liners and fix broken fins too. www.jgrelining.com If I recall correctly its $2-300 per...luckily mine are just within the limit.
We are relining Pontiac 8-lug and Buick 45 fin & 90 fin. Cost is $ 245.00 per drum. Thinking of doing the 9 1/2" GM drums this fall if I can get some feed back on the need. thanks J&G Drum Relining
Does anybody know if the 45 fin drums also fit the 58 Special? The Special was the cheaper model of the 58 Buicks and came with iron drums..i need to replace a drum anyway and would like to fit some finned ones, not sure if I need to change spindles and back plates too?
The Jalopy Journal
