'57 Ford Brake Drum Question........

I just picked up a '57 Ford 9" rear end from the local junk yard to put under the '46 Chevy pick-up I'm building. It's only got one drum, which I sand blasted. I measured the I.D. and it's 11.040". I'm guessing the stock diameter was 11.000" even and that it's been turned .040" - would that be correct?? The one I have is kinda pitted, so I'll want to have it turned to clean. Any idea how far I can go with it and be safe? New ones are kinda pricey, so I'd like to use this one, if possible.
Anybody got a good drum or a pair for sale ?? I believe '57-'59 are the same.

Right along this line, can I use later model drums or would I need new backing plates, etc. I gotta buy shoes in any event, so Maybe I'd be better off going to something bigger. Whadda ya think?
Thanks

 

We put a '57 9" under my friends '55 chevy, and his drums were toasted. We had no luck finding 57-59 drums. We did find that 60-64 stuff is a bolt on(and fairly cheap). I think the drums, shoes and hardware kit was like $60, backing plate were a j-yard item for like $20. This swap also gives you the larger brake pads for better stopping. hope that helps. Also, I have a stray '57 drum kicking around you can have for the cost of shipping, don't know how good of shape its in though.

 

9" rears can be a pain. You might try getting in touch with Currie. They actually have kits that include new everything, from backing plates to drums for around $300.

I like to know that all my brake parts are in good order, with the kit from Currie everything is new. It works out cheaper than all the parts bought seperate.

 

I hope this helps. 11.040 is the max diameter it came new measuring 11.000. So to answer your question as easily as possible 11.040 should be your max. Ive gone further but you start having a hard time with adjustment, if this drum is on the front I would try to keep it under 11.040 only because of pulls from the drums being maxed ou and more thsn likely the drums wont be the same size(measurement) T he only other problem you might run into is that if the drum is maxed out ( or past it)_and your shoes start getting thin the wheel cylinder could over extend and blow out. keep in mind the wheel cylinder has no idea that the shoes and drums are worn out so it will push untill the shoes hit the drum. And on your 57 its a single res. master cylinder if one w.c goes it all goes. That turned out way longer than I thought it woould but I hope it helps. Btw the last part of that was worst case. But I have seen it happen.

 

.060 is the max. for most Ford drums. Some Ford 11" drums had a max of .090 My books don't go back that far.

 

Neither do mine. But I was going by what he said was on the drum, well either way the same stuff applies just different specs.

 

"Neither do mine. But I was going by what he said was on the drum, well either way the same stuff applies just different specs."

He didn't say that 11.040 was cast on the drum. He said that was what the drum measured to be.

 

Thanks for all your replies. I'll see if a skin cut will clean the drum up. If not, I guess I'll try to locate some later drums, backing plates, etc. and upgrade (brake area-wise) to later Ford drums.

eberhama, thanks for the offer on the '57 drum, I appreciate it. I'll take you up on the offer and I'll PM you as to where I should send the shipping $$$$.