So trust me, I done my research for this Model A rear end. I KNOW 1939-48 ford juice brakes would work with a model a rear axle with a few modifications... My question is, i dont like the pre 48 brakes because there not self adjusting....so what other backing plates (with self-energizing) can i use with this model a rear? what backing plates have you tried using?
Replys will be interesting..Lincoln, Buick are bendix style and self adjusting kits can be put in..I wouldn't dislike the Ford brakes just because they are not self adjusting but because there are better brakes..
There's an excellent post by B*** regarding this subject. He did a great conversion to some backing plates. I'd find it and post the link... but I'm short on time at the moment.
F-1/F-100 are 11" brakes. You must stay with the early hubs drums as that is all that fits the axle. The early drums are 12". There may be some way to modify 12" F-3 backing plates but the shoes are the wrong width and I am sure the backspace is wrong. I could not make them work correctly on the front with Buick drums.
You are wanting fancy brakes but still want to use the Model A rearend? Just slap the ford brakes on they will be fine!
. I would put the 48 ford brakes on if you want to retain the Model A Rear end. Once they wear in they will probably never need adjusting again because the Model A is so lite. If you are putting much hp to it the banjo rear ends are not that strong and the axles can break and come out and do body damage and worse. If you do stick with a banjo rear end and add a lot of hp at least put axle retainers on it. I am using f1 and f100 11X2" spindles and brakes on the front. Parts are available at Napa and are more reasonable than the earier ford parts. I am using 8.8" Ranger rear ends on rear of my 224ci. 4 cylinder Mercruiser powered Model A pickups. They have 10X2 1/2" drums on them. I don't think disks look as good as drums and I want them to look as stock as possible. The more modern Pickup drum brakes will stop a Model A plenty fast even with 200+ hp. I had a stock 31 Town Sedan with 48 brakes that would stop from 35mph in 35 feet. It had no seat belts and I had to watch it to avoid putting someone into the windshield. ****
I've heard that Wilson Parts are top quality however they are pricy and I don't know how to hook up rear emergency brakes with them. Wilson has an emergency brake kit but I don't know if it fits all of their backing plates or just the skeleton brake kit. Tell us more about your Model A. What engine etc.? ****
I am actual dont have a Model A right now...I plan on building a Model A around the brakes and suspension im building now. I do plan on having a completely stock model A (minus juice brakes) I would perfer self energizing brakes and figure a lil research wouldnt hurt.
Alrighty then- BTW: The brakes on my 29 pickup (all stock) work great and will stop on a dime! flathead V8 brakes would be more than enough on a stock A. The whole reason people started using juice brakes was because they were hopping up their 4 bangers and getting those things to go faster on the street and the lakes thus needing bigger brakes to slow down from those higher speeds. But if you are dead set on the "newer" brakes go look in a junk yard, maybe some small or mid size car might have something that you could adapt a little easyer. I dont know-
I believe there is a product caller "Brake Floaters" than can be added to mechanical brakes to make them self energizing. Some kind of linkage the changes the actuation. Go to FordBarn and ask on the Model A section.
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