I'm building my first rat rod. I have a 29 model A tudor. I'm using the original front axle. Ive read that i am to use the original front spindles but to use F100 style brakes. Anyone know where to get these or if there is an aftermarket brand that i should use? i'm going the cheapest route possible. Any suggestions or opinions would be great. Thanks!
First things first...that aint NO RR on this site....Now you better duck while they fire away at you...LOL..
Just buy the 38-40 ford conversion kit. speedway and a hundred other places have them. Rodders used to go with the 55 f100 front set up, as I did, because this set up is "self actiuataing, but they are hard to come across and the parts are expensive (unles youfind a s****per, but all that **** will ahve to be rebuilt. Also drums for a 54-56 f100 are 200 each new, so find a set you can spin.cut, as I did. Sorry to inform you, but no matter how you look at it, when you get into a dropped I beam, you WILL spend a boat load of money.
F1 brakes starting in 1948 were self energizing. I think in 53 they also became self adjusting. with 48 and later backing plates you can use hardware kit from later model and make them self adjusting. Alot of the years of F1 and F100 are interchangable, and if you do a search on F1 brake conversions, or drum brakes for early ford axles there is a ton of good information here. The main thing is the hubs and drums need to be in the same year range. You can get drums from most of the auto parts chains, I think O Rileys wanted about 50.00 or so for ft F1 drums for 48, 49. They are allmost all 11" x 2". For 35 to 47 spindles you just need the correct bearings and seal. Earlier spindles, I believe need a spacer. so the Speedway kit is probably the least expensive route for bearings and seals. If you are patient and scrounge alot you may get by cheaper, but drum brakes, complete setup is gonna cost you around 200 to 300. Depending on how much new you have to buy. Oh and there are plenty of R** R**s here you just can't say the word. They are "traditional" with plenty of "patina".
F-1 front drums are obsolete as repair parts at chain auto parts stores; but are available as reproductions from many antique parts dealers. They are kinda pricey $100+. F-100 front drums are available as repair parts from most parts places reasonably priced, $60-$90. The F-1 drums listed for $49 by O-Reilly are rears, Ford used them for about 20+ years, so they are available and cheap. Many times you can find good sets of F-1 or F-100 brakes reasonably priced from the truck guys that going to discs or MII, also see them listed in the cl***ified for fair prices. Just take a look and make sure to get good turnable drums and you will be money ahead. The Speedway bearing kit is priced low; but the no-name bearings come loose in a plastic bag. Probably no big deal; but I like bearings wrapped and in a box that says Timken, not much more costly. You should reconsider using the "A" spindles, I think in the long run you would be better off upgrading to later spindles due to the price of king pin sets, brake adapter kits, tie rod end repair kits, steering arm location, and they just don't look as clean as later spindles. Better to change up right away that redo it later.
Hey Mud, i just changed my 29 front brakes to f-100. You need to change the inner bearing to a National #14116 and inner seal to a SKF #15214. the outer bearing will work on the f 100 hubs. I have 39 spindles, but they take the same bearings. Have a couple of 53-56 front axles complete with hubs drums etc. if you can't find some locally. PM me if I can be of help.
Rich was correct on the 49 drums from O Rileys. 53 to 56 still available at 92.00 a piece. I bought some 49 drums from Rock Auto for front, but that was a couple of years ago and those were being discontinued at that time. My memory is not what it used to be. Took me awhile to find this but this link may help. BRAKES, The Brake Article to end all Brake Articles!
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