hydrolic drums

does anyone on here know how to tell mechanical from hydrolic wide 5 drums...also on all ford drums(all bolt patterns) ...how can i measure to tell how far they are turned down...and how much is left that can be turned down...i guess 36 front drums will not work with hydrolic brakes because the spindles are different but do 37-38 just interchange?...also what is the best place to go for the "new" parts i need to build these brakes....

thanks
zach

 

i dont think there is a diff between mech and hyd drums. i have a set of wide five drums on mine, and im almost positive they came off a mechanical setup.

trey

 

I posted the answers from the Ford catalog here--maybe someone can remember the link. What I dimly remember (I don't have any wide 5 cars so info didn't stick in my brain) is that '37-39 are all the same front and rear. '36 are said to work with hydraulics ONLY when using '36 or earlier spindle.
'36 rears PROBABLY work with hydraulics, but a fit up will be required to verify.
It is likely you will find a number 76 somewhere on most '37-9 hubs and a 68 on the '36.

 

Zach, if you can find the second issue of Ol Skool Rodz, they did an article on juice front brakes. Here's some info from the article. It says you can use 37 and up ford spindles but not the brakes on 37-38 as they were mechanical. As for finding out how thick the drums are you can take them to a brake shop and have them mic it for you. According to the article .090" is the allowable tolerance for front drums. It said they wouldn't turn them past .100" for regular street use. If your looking for parts you could try Spring Carlisle, I know that alot of Ford repop stuff is there(you probably know too )or the article says to contact Josh Mills(the author of the article) at Joe Smith Antique Ford & HotRod, 51 lakewood drive, Marietta, GA 30060, (800)235-4013. There is alot more info in this article than I can type here. I hope this helps you out. later plmczy

 

I believe it is '39 (drums) only on the fronts using '37-41 spindles and '39 and later backing plates. On the rear I think '36 through '39 will work. It's a matter of offset. Hopefully I'll know for sure soon as I've gathered up everything to convert my '36. Wayno

 

ok thanks everyone...is the measurement the thicknes of the drum?..like the side wal thicknes?...also where i a good place to get wheelscylinders and whatnot for a good price and receive good stuff

thanks
zach

 

Zach...Napa or any GOOD parts store will be able to get the cylinders, shoes and etc.
Clark

 

thanks clark,
i didnt know that...where do you usually go and what do you ask for?...still gotta find some good 46-48 backing plates..these 40's that i have are very bad and i might as well try to have the same all the way around

 

Spring Carlisle is coming up. That would be a good place to look. Just a suggestion. later plmczy