I am wondering if there is a conversion kit out there that will allow me to convert wide five to juice brakes. I am also looking to convert the rear axle to an open driveline. I am looking for Links to info and good knowledge to get me going. Kent
You must have the early wide5 because it was wide5 that introduced juice brakes in '37? Anyway, no conversion needed - just a backing plate. Open drive conversion? been a few good threads on doing them - try the 'search function' Welcome to the hamb, those were good questions and you are in the right place.
Juice brakes in 39 I thought. I also think that 36 has different spindles. Somebody jump in and correct me. Have you talked to Wilson Welding or the like for a conversion with new parts?
wilson welding has a nice kit.will fit only 39 up spindles.some mod still needed.I have a 36 ford with this setup.bendix design.good braking.39 spindles will fit 36 axle.
I'll break it down - 36 has the older style spindle - You want 37 up spindles - 39 was the first year Ford had juice brakes and 39 is wide five. But 37-4 are the same spindle ( round back ) - The 42 - 46 is square back ( not like the earlier 36 and back ) look for 1/2 dia mounting holes for thae backing plates ( early have 3/8 holes ) I think you might be able to use the 37-38 drum with hydrolic backing plates but I'm not sure.
Lets clarify some of the mistakes of the previous posters. First to install Hydraulic brakes on a 1936 Ford and retain the wide 5 style bolt pattern you CAN use the stock 36 spindles. Installing later 1939- 48 backing plates gives you the hydraulic backing plates but require the use of a spacer ring to center the plates on the spindle snout. The brake drums required are 1937-39 Ford everything just bolts together. The tricky part is the clutch and brake pedal, it is possible to use the 1939 hydraulic pedal assembly on your 36 frame with slight modification or purchase a unit from early Ford V8 Garage that allows you to use the stock pedals with a remote positioned master cylinder. Converting your ear end to open drive is not difficult, you can purchase a unit that will just bolt on to convert your rear banjo to open drive.
Thank you guys for the help. I have a custom Tube frame that I have built for a model A and I have some extra axles from my '36 build that I never used. I want to make the front and rear juice brakes, and open drive shaft. I plan on splitting the wish bones and doing a suicide front axle mount. I just need to know how to convert the brakes for sure. I already have them and don't really have a choice to buy anything else. Is there a place to buy them or will I need to just search for the backing plates and drums?
What Dick was saying was that you can use your '36 wide five drums with the hydraulics. There is a adaptor/spacer kit that is available through any early Ford shop(and certainly Dick himself) to help with the backing plate situation. As far as original backing plates, your on your own as far as finding them, but '39-'48 is what you are looking for.
NO, that is not what Dick was saying. You cannot use 36 hub/drum assemblies with hydraulic brakes. You must find 37-39 hub/drum assemblies to use with the hydraulic brake backing plates. It is easier to just find a set of 37-41 Spindles and not have to use bearing spacers and spacer rings on the old ones. There are plenty of 39-48 hydraulic backing plates around to make your front and rear conversion without much hassle. The hardest thing to find will be a good set of 37-39 hub/drum assemblies.
to clarify even more...you need '37-9 front drum, '36 rear will work. '32-5 spindles are early, '37-9 are late. '36 are confused...early bolt circle, late spindle pin. As Dick said, you need the adapter ring to center the backing plate, you can toss the other part of the common adapter kit because '36 bearing spacing is late type. You can use '39-42 or '46-48 backing plates.
On the rear drum...I have never actually handled a '36 rear drum, but '37-9 drum is its service replacement so I assume it will work. '36 front drum cannot be used because backspage is wrong.
Thanks to those who suggested/recommended us... There IS one way to convert a 36 (fronts) to hydraulic and use the original hubs/drums, assuming that the drums have not been machined past 12.060" diameter (or whatever limit is determined after a typical big argument - but the thicker the drum, the better!) 39-40 LINCOLN BENDIX "deep" brakes will fit the 36 front spindle after grinding the top of the spindle for clearance with the "ledge" below the wheel cylinder. ALSO must use a special Kingpin/Bearning kit (our exclusive) as the "sockets" on the original 36 kingpin for the mechanical brake linkage IS right in the way, as is the bearing. Our kit moves the bearing/load-carrying to the bottom of the axle. These 39-40 deep Lincolns have the same inward offset as the 36 (and 35) original brakes, so everything will line up ok. The brakes are a little scarce and expensive, but they are WAY better than the Ford/Lockheed brakes!!! 36 rear drums can be used with rear hydraulics, as they have the same offset as 39's and ARE interchangeable. Yes, 39 first year hydraulic brakes. Most 36 rear hubs have a SLEEVE in them and therefore use the smaller rear bearing BUT still use the larger rear seal. In fact, some 37's still have that arrangement - transitional phase... 36 rears do look different, with variations even within that year, but 37-38-39's (one piece or two) are interchangeable. The 36 front spindles have the smaller bolt pattern and 3/8" bolt holes BUT they have the "wider boss" to space the inner bearing correctly AND for the grease seal to ride on. I always thought the 35's had a thinner boss, but have found 35's with the wider also. So, when using the adaptor kit, only need the spacer ring for the brake plate BUT the typical $20 kit includes both - and they are two brittle-and-too-thick piston rings that often shatter when the bolts are tightened, and the bearing spacers are actually two valve seats that are wrongly-dimensioned. We offer a DELUXE kit like the one that Dave Wilton used to make that is far superior (and of course costs alot more) but we will sell you only what you need, so that makes it not so bad... Our bearing spacers are a press fit onto the spindle, so they do not rotate and provide a surface for the grease seal to ride on... but not required for 36 and many 35's... they are required for 32-34 and some 35's. The part of the kit that you do need for 36 are two flanged spacers that are drilled to match the hole pattern and sizes of the spindle bolt holes (3/8") and have an integral ring that fits between the grease shield and brake plate and causes the large center hole on the brake plate to be reduced to fit the spindle. Just have to file little quarter-moons from the original 1/2" holes just into the large center hole, allowing the original bolts to pass through. Thanks again! Richard
Nice thread, I just started my 36 5 window and this will be very useful! I am trying to keep it a traditional hot rod, but it seems it will be harder than I thought it would be. thanks
Great information, but, too bad the Early V8 Garage is no longer around! Boling Brothers might be a reasonable substitute to get started as far as install kits, but you still need to find those ever elusive 37-39 Ford Front Drums for a Wide Five install if you want to keep your 36 spindles.
The Early V8 Garage is still around but it's a one man operation since Richard retired so it can be hard to get in touch with Dennis who runs the shop by himself nowadays. Dennis is also active here on HAMB @Dennis Lacy
@BlueNotes is correct. His son Dennis @Dennis Lacy runs the shop now, and you can still get everything from him. Just be patient, as he is a one-man shop.
Yes, Early V8 Garage is still alive and well. My Dad, Richard, stepped back in August of 2023 following some health and cognitive issues. I am now running the shop and still producing our hydraulic brake conversion master cylinder bracket kits, hand brake kits and pre-formed brake lines. Also still a fully functioning physical shop.
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