What finned drums will work with the Wilson Welding and Machine finned backing plates for the rear end? I searched on here, and couldn't find an answer. Thanks. -Jason
If the Wilson Welding backing plates are for 12" brakes then it would be buick finned drums either 45 fin or 90 fin.
Great, thanks. Do you happen to know if Wilson is producing/selling the Buick drums yet? I assume those will work with the backing plates I mentioned. -Jason
Don't have a clue. The 90 fins I have on the rear for my roadster project cost me 80 bucks, they are in good shape. Just watch the class adz. the 45s are the more expensive of the 2, but i figured I'd save myself a couple of bucks and leave the good ones for the crew that is shooting for period perfect.
Last I talked to Bob he hadn't gotten there yet. Bu that was just after Bonneville though. Why do you need a repop drum, when there is still a damn good supply of Buick Drums available. Ebay Buick Drums, or Aluminum drums and you'll have a handful of hits.
Screw "period perfect" ! Buick didnt double the number of fins simply because they cost more. I bought 4 off Epay when I built the T and they were something like $80 shipped; Ive still 2 left for the next project.
I know I don't need repops, but I figured if I am going to spend a little extra on anything it will be on buying quality brake components. But you are right, eBay is a gold mine. Thanks guys -Jason
No they doubled the amount of fins for cooling area. That wasn't my point, I was thinkin' along the lines of 80-100 bucks verses 150-? and the fact that I'm not a true traditionalist. That and the fact that I really like stopping and don't really want to throw out the laundry everytime I get to the big end.
Bob hasn't released the repop drums yet, but yes his rear 12" backing plates are for buick drums. I'll probably see him this week and ask him about the repops.
Finned aluminum, or just finned? Lots of GM drums were finned. I'd like info on putting Ford banjo rear hubs into buick drums.
I think the wilson front backing plates work on the rear of 9 inch fords provided you have the big bearing housing. I have just begun the adventure of putting the 12 inch aluminum drums on the rear of my roadster. I am using a 36 ford rear with the ends of a mid fifty's pickup housing mated to the ends..........to run the pickup axles. To my delight the center of a rear backing plate 12 inch from a 64 riv matches the center hole of the pickup plate. The front finned drum fits the buick rear backing plate. It looks like all I need to do is redrill the 4 holes in backing plate (to fit the axle housing ends) and make a ring to take up the space between axle flange and buick drum center hole on the front side. The offset looks right so far. I will know how this works in a week or two. I can compare the buick rear plate with a ford 8 or 9 inch rear plate if anyone is wondering. Steve
Yeh,I'm wondering how they would work on my 57 ford 9".You know I have the 64 rear backing plates ...Mike
Bob Wilson makes a Lincoln-style backing plate specifically for the 9" big bearing housing. You can get them with or without the E-brake 'tubes'. I believe he makes his finned aluminum backing plates for a rear application as well. Bob's backing plate bolts right up, but the Buick drum needs a short cylindrical spacer machined to work with the backing plate. The center of the axle needs to register in the center of the drum, and it will need to be spaced out a bit to get the shoes to match up with the lining. This is where the spacer comes in....and it should be short enough that the original wheel studs will still be long enough to mount the wheel. You will also need to have some material turned off of the inside of the lip of the drum so that it doesn't rub the backing plate lip. I just got a pair of Bob's backing plates for the Bronco 9" under my Model A, and he's working on redrilling my drums right now. I'll take some pics when I get everything back, and the spacer is machined. I forgot to ask him about repro drums, but I'll find out.
The Jalopy Journal
