How did this work? upside down brake actuation arm?

Knowing in advance that some keyboard expert with less Model A experience than I have will refute my comment, I will say this: I have put the backing plates on with the sides switched and upside down deliberately. When the rods are pulled, they will rotate the cams the right direction that way. When I "Z" the frame 4" and de-arch the spring, the frame will be right in the way of the brake rod's paths to the brake cross shafts arms unless I do that switcheroo or install hydraulic brakes. Yes, I compensate for angularity changes. And I have to move the radius rod mounting inboard '36 style, or drop them at the axle hsg. flange/backing plate with a bracket, or split them at the front and mount them outboard.
 
No argument there, Jim. That's the way Timsalways car is set up now and it works fine. What Tom and Bob are saying is that if you want the levers pointing up instead of down so you get correct alignment for the rods, you can reverse the cams, reclock the lever to 12:00, and you're all set. You don't have to switch the backing plates.
 
It's been quite a while since I worked on the rear brakes, but I think the rear backing plates by themselves are identical, and one part number is for either side. It's the levers and parking brake support that are different from one side to the other.
 
Ok, here's what I got now. It was an easy fix, well.....fun at least. I switched the backing plates to the other side. I thought I would be able to flip the arm 180 or maybe knock that pin out, I opted for the flip, it took around 6 hours and maybe 6 beers. I had a new pair of emergency brake springs in my parts bin, It took me awhile to get those boogers on there without that key popping out. Finally I hooked a wire onto the spring. I am going to keep the drums and the bearings were they were. I still have to clean up those bearings, pack and reinstall them, I have new seals also. Any advice and recommendations on the treatment of those bearings would be appreciated. I have the red, green and the blue Les Andrews books. Looking good, thus far, thanks to you all, for your help.
 

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Tom Wesenberg said:
Yes, see #4. I would leave the backing plates in place and change the brake arm and flip the cam as I said in #4.

Also remove the parking brake arm and install the spring if it's not there. There is a right and left, so don't mix them up.

Be sure to notice the slight slant for the brake arm clevice, so the rods run parallel with the frame.
Click to expand...

BINGO! I think you nailed it Tom, I thought those rods were straight, I got to get back under there and check it out, I haven't done anything for a few days now. I may run it for a awile before getting it 100% right, this is the first time I took rear hub off. "It's all used parts" are those pins easy to work, I have never peened a pin.
 
I just got home from our monthly club meeting, and tonight's clinic was on brakes. Phil did an excellent job and had a great display. Sure wish I'd have brought my camera, as it would have provide many good pictures to help with this discussion.
 
UPDATE.... Thanks to you all I am back on the road. A future project will be to actually do the brakes. My first intentions were to install new rods and anti rattlers. I had to use the old rods cause they had already been modified to compensate for the worn out parts. And yes the angle of the actuating arm is still wrong and the brakes are still worn out, but happy there's not a horses *** in front of me. "Hold on to her Elmer whilst I hops on this bull....MOOOOOO!"
 
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