Well Im working on my hot rod, and everything is going along smooth UNTIL NOW, Im getting close to getting this thing on the road REAL CLOSE! basically the only thing stopping me at this point are these damn brake drums. First of all, Im not totally sure what rear end is in this thing, All I know is I was able to get new wheel cylinders for a '61 plymouth to fit it, they are the exact match to the old one's. My problem is the brake drums are shot, they are 12 inch by 3 inch. And I can NOT find new one's and no parts stores can seem to help. They all come up with 11 inch drums. So what is up with these 12 inch drums on this thing, what is this rear end??? I got a couple shots of it that might help....let me know what you all think. I would hate to change the rear end just because I cant find drums... plus the brakes are bled and its ready to go!
Judging by the left hand lug nuts on one side and the fact that it took 61 (or '60) plymouth wheel cylinders (and the engine and trans are mopar) Im guessing its probably mopar....I thought about that cop option thing, but I just dont know enough about it. I know the engine is a 1960 factory RB mill (high performance) so maybe that rear end was out of the same car and they had bigger brakes?
very well could have. mopars are a pain to get brake drums and pads for sometimes. my valiants were always a 3 trip ordeal. id bet on a cop optioned car, or a big heavy cruiser, but i cant say more than that, sorry maybe imperial?
Boy I think you are SOL. My old Raybestos book from 1987 only shows 1 12" rear drum app. Dodge 57-61 AND Raybestos did not even show a part number for them then. The only thing I see is a #1961 drum for 72-3 D200 truck and it is going to have a 8 on 6.5 bolt pattern,if enough meat in the center redrill for your patten if the rest of the drum demensions will work. How far over are your drums now? Light car that big a brake .100 over would most likely be OK.
Thanks for the info!...but it was actually my fault, I destroyed them taking them off....I bent the center's of them in.
early mopar 8 3/4 rears are mothers to take apart. on '64 and older, it takes a puller for the pressfit brakes- makes them easy to bend up the centers trying to remove. be careful. check to see if later 8 3/4 brake hardware, axles will fit, but it's probably easier to find a new rear (plentiful, and strong) http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/flats/1549/index3.html http://www.usaimports.co.uk/Mopar_Tech_Pages/mopar_rear_ends.htm you might get away with downsizing to the standard stuff (stopped my 4300 pound Fury fine with 4 wheel drums)
Also...this is just a thought. But what if I pressed them back with a 20 ton press. While heating them up??? As it is just the centers of the drums that are bent in....Or is that just not possible that it will work.
If those are a full cast drum good luck ,BUT what ya got to lose!! If the centers are sheet steel a press and heat may save ya. Again what ya got to lose. As far as backing plates drums in 11" try any full size Mopar in the 57-64 era as those drums were for a Dodge only .
well, I got lucky. I took the drums down to Dave Pleasant's shop and he was able too press the drums out flat. Looks like I will be able to use them again! Who knew that was possible! I never would have guessed that would have worked. Anyways, thanks for the help.
The Jalopy Journal
