35 Ford Brake problems

Asphalt Outlaw Hero

Asphalt Outlaw Hero

Member
I bought a 35 Ford at an estate sale. The brakes had been converted to 40 plates. I got some chatter and took it to a friend who has a brake shop. He took me to lunch (that's a real friend!) and then his guy called and said front drums were shot. I'm assuming they are still the 35 drums since the wires are still on. As I understand it, to use a later drum, you have to change spindles ?

Any insight / experience appreciated .
 
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The 35 front drum is different from the 32-34 since it has cooling fins on the outside. The earlier drum appears to have just one, otherwise they appear the same. To use wire rims with the 40 style drum you have to add support rings. Change spindles? Not sure of this??
1237818-684e89e651c89263d93ec795f4665821.jpg
This is the earlier drum with just one strength member rib, the 35 has 3 smaller in addition.
 
It's hard to say what drums you have from that photo. Take the wheel off and have a look. It may have the 35 drums, but may have 40-48 type. If it does have the 40-48 type, you should run spacers to more properly support the wire wheels.

I don't know if the 35 drums are compatible with the later brakes.

Mart.
 
Asphalt Outlaw Hero said:
I bought a 35 Ford at an estate sale. The brakes had been converted to 40 plates. I got some chatter and took it to a friend who has a brake shop. He took me to lunch (that's a real friend!) and then his guy called and said front drums were shot. I'm assuming they are still the 35 drums since the wires are still on. As I understand it, to use a later drum, you have to change spindles ?

Any insight / experience appreciated .
Click to expand...

First of all never assume anything when it comes to these old Fords. You need to confirm everything yourself. Why is your mechanic saying the front drums are shot? What exactly is wrong with them? The picture you are showing does not confirm '35 drums. As someone else already said, you need to have the wheel off and possibly the drum off to confirm exactly what they are. Also, based on your picture I don't believe you have '40 backing plates. I can't see any bottom adjustments, so I am thinking later as in '46-'48.
When I put hydraulic brakes on one of my '35's and kept the stock 16" wires, I used '39-'40 backing plates, front and rear. I used stock original '35 drums/hubs on rear and '40-'48 drums/hubs on front with spacer rings to support '35 wires. I also changed the front spindles to original '37 round backs. I also used Richard Lacy's bolt in master cylinder kit that allows the use of stock '35 brake peddle assembly because I did not want to mess with finding and installing '39 peddles.
 
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Wheels are coming off in the next couple of days. Lots of help from folks on this forum.

As I understand it 40-48 plates have a square mounting "hole". Adjuster points to and bottom ?
FYI Here is the car. Mostly original paint car. Uh, original primer too ;-)

IMG_20120713_120122-M.jpg
 
Nice looking '35 3w coupe! I looked for a nice original car like that for several years and could not find one. Finally bought a nice '35 5w coupe instead but still keeping an eye out and hoping to find one as nice as yours. If I had one like that, I would keep it as stock and original as possible.
 
Thanks! I found another hood and louvered it. It had a 49 Flatty in it with a 5 speed. Just a mild Hot Rod so to speak. You can still see the green pinstripe all the way down.
IMG_20120713_120734-S.jpg
 
I think the front backing plates at least are the later style - up to 48. (I'm not sure when they started) I saying that due to the lack of the 3/4" AF nuts on the lower pivots. These look like the fixed pivots of the later brakes.

I don't understand your statements re the mounting hole and adjusters - Is that what you meant to say?

Anyway, it's a great looking car I'm sure the brakes should be an easy thing to get sorted out.

Mart.
 
Studying your picture, it looks like your backing plate is the '46-'48 style pictured below. The spindle flange also looks like the "square back" ('46-'48 style). Better pictures would confirm. It presumably appears you already have the brakes and spindles off of a '46-'48. DD

36009
 
JM 35 Sedan said:
Nice looking '35 3w coupe! I looked for a nice original car like that for several years and could not find one. Finally bought a nice '35 5w coupe instead but still keeping an eye out and hoping to find one as nice as yours. If I had one like that, I would keep it as stock and original as possible.
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JOHN ...................
Too bad that you did not know of that estate sale !
Maybe, next time.
MIKE :mad: (mikeburch)
 
FL&WVMIKE said:
JOHN ...................
Too bad that you did not know of that estate sale !
Maybe, next time.
MIKE :mad: (mikeburch)
Click to expand...

It was actually well advertised. A guy on the HAMB knew it and gave me its history. Auction company knew nothing about it. I found another recently in Old Cars Weekly. It was almost identical to this one but totally stock. Sold fast.
 
Here's what '35 drums look like.
 

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You should run a stepped spacer between the wire wheel and the flat 47/48 drum (actually hub) face.

Mart.
 
Mart said:
You should run a stepped spacer between the wire wheel and the flat 47/48 drum (actually hub) face.

Mart.
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I agree with Mart. If you look at a '35 hub/drum there are seats at each lug bolt to support the '35 wire wheel vs. having it bear all its weight on the lugs. They're more pronounced on the rears. The aftermarket spacer has a continuous ring to receive the wires and is readily available from many sources.
 

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