Difference in F-2 and F-3 brakes ?

TobbyT

Member
What’s the difference between the F-2 and F-3 brake pads and cylinders?
I’ve got my old 1950 F-3 running very good. I’ve taken her out and run her through the gears. Everything seems to work just find except for the brakes. It’s a good thing I live in good ole flat Mississippi.Down shifting this truck is a challenge !!

I pulled the front wheel and drum on passenger side and found that the brake pads have separated from the metal shoes. They were just floating round in the drum. I went to the driver’s side to check it out. The brake cylinder had blown and brake fluid had coated the pads. Looks like I have some work to do.
 
Go thru your brakes and re-do everything with new parts. Replace the master cyl and wheel cyls. Replace the steel brake lines and DO NOT use copper! Replace the rubber flex lines. Make sure myour drums are within specs. THey can be tough to find, but are out there. Safety is number one!! You don't want to leave this rock any earlier than before your time, and don't want to take any else at the same time. THat truck can do alot of hurt if you hit something!
 
Okay, going off memory, the F3 had 14" brakes in the rear up until 52, when they were 12" like the F2s. Find an industrial clutch place if possible and take your brake shoes there. Of course try Joblot.

And... do check, I'm going off memory about brake sizes.
 
I believe the 12 inch shoes are the same as those found on 60s F250s. I bought a set from the local auto parts for the 12 inch backing plates a while back. The fronts should be the same 12 inch as on f2 and f3. The rears as mentioned either 12 or 14 inch.
 
The 14" rears with parking brake at the backing plates were used on F-3s through mid year '51. Late '51 they switched to 12" Bendix and mounted the parking brake on back of the gear box. The 14" rears make it hard to find replacement wheels to replace the 17" widow makers. Stu
 
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