Hi guys, I'm working in my front end, 32-36 axle, I have 40 backing plates without hubs, my question is with 37-41 ford spindles, can I use model A hubs? I have wide fives drums, but I want run 5 5 1/2 wheels!
They physically WILL fit the spindle, but the brake drums are too small to work with the hydraulic backing plates you have. Sounds like it's time to some more scrounging to find some '40-48 hubs...
Answer to original question , NO you cannot run Model A hubs on 37-48 style spindles with hydraulic backing plates.
Ok. thanks for the reply. Bearings and outer race are the same! B-1201 Front wheel inner bearing 28-48 B-1202 Front wheel inner race 28-48 B-1216 Front wheel outer bearing 28-48 B- 1217 Front wheel outer race 28-48 I will ask another question, to see if I'm clear! I would like to use 37 to 41 spindles, model A hubs, and 40s backing plates and drums. Its possible? Sorry for so many questions, it's just that I have available several hubs of model "A"
No no no A hubs ONLY work with A drums and A drums are no good except for stock applications. You have 37-41 spindles and backing plates, use matching hubs and drums
give me a call at the shop. we've got all the hubs, bearings, seals, drums, etc. in stock. i'd be happy to help you figure out exactly what you need. -Rob
Since when does the term NO mean might fit? The bearings are the same but the index of the bearing on the Model A hub and the later 37-48 spindle are in a different position as well as the hub drum index to the backing plate.
I found an old trailer that had '47 ford spindles on it, but welded to the axle. It had no hubs, but I had an old set of model A's. The hub fit right on the spindle but the nut wouldn't go on far enough so I just got it tight and drilled a hole in the castle nut on the flat, inserted a key and called it good. Don't think I'd wanna use this on a vehicle though. Another thing I found was that the lug studs only took about 5 turns, or about half the thickness of the lug nut. If I get time I'm gonna change the studs. anyone have a part # for longer studs? Thanx, Norm
The bearing spacing between inner and outer is LONGER on Model A. This is why DS says "NO". Late hubs will go on early spindles with a spacer. Early hubs on late spindles require a QUANTUM SPACER made by a QUANTUM MACHINEST to fit MORE into LESS. Very expensive operation. THEN the drums will line up wrong, and if using A drums you will require quantum shims to fit the 12" shoes into the 11" drums without squeaking...
Basic interchange groups...note the extra jog in '35-6: 1928-1935 spindles have the long nosed spindle requiring a small spacer to move bearings closer together to use hydraulic brake plates. Bolt pattern is narrow and requires reworking holes on the hydraulic backing plates. Another ring spacer locates the hole in the hydraulic backing plate, which is larger than the register on the spindles. 1936 also has the narrow bolt pattern and needs the ring spacer and reworked holes. It has the SHORT nose spindle like '37-49 and so does not use the spacer for bearings. 1937-48 are all short nose and all have the register diameter and bolt pattern needed for hydraulics. All '37-48 drum/hub ***emblies work with hydraulics. '35-6 front drums and hubs are entirely incompatible with hydraulics because they are made for a set-back backing plate. They cannot even be installed enough for spindle nut to go on with hydraulic backing plates.
Thanks for the reply Bruce. Recently found a Model "A" with hydraulic brakes in the back, 40 brake plates, model A axle and hubs with a spacer ring on the hub through bolts, about 0.60 inches thick, the bolts were longer and the drum was 12 inches.
The Jalopy Journal
