Lightweight Brake Drum

[David J]

The multiple ribbed pair are 35 . The single rib pair are 32-34 . There are two slightly different versions of 32-34 front drums and I posted pics of the differences here a few years back .

 

[JWL]

It has been a few years(maybe 60 years) since I played with those 36 drums. I do not recall the 2 piece design. But probably that is what we had.

Thanks for the pic for educational purposes.

JWL

 

[KiWinUS]

Really? I have never seen any. I would think that this type of design would not
lend itself to the wide five pattern. You learn something new every day! I would think they would be quite scarce.

My 36 has them also.

 

[the human wrench]

Well, I have learned a lot here. Here are some better pictures. They are 12" drums, no cooling ribs and are aprox. 6.75" deep from tip of snout to back of drum. I assume those "bumps" on the inside of the lug studs are what help locate the wire wheels?

 

[DavidG]

Yes, and also why one needs to use spacer rings when mounting disc wheels on such drums.

 

[the human wrench]

Okay, now that I know for sure these are wire wheel hubs, can any one give me the inner & outer bearing set numbers or the cone and cup numbers also the seal number? I'm retired but work 2 days a week delivering parts for a "major automotive parts company" but we don't go back far enough for an application. I'm sure we have them, just don't know what numbers.

 

[RobR'35]

B-1201 Inner bearing
B-1202 Inner Race
B-1216 outer bearing
B-1217 outer race
All above 32-48
Front seal 35-48. 48-1190

 

[the human wrench]

Thank you.

 

[RobR'35]

Looks like front seal 28-34 B-1190

 

[Jason in TX]

I'm curious if the 1935 drum has the "goofy long snout" like the 36 wide 5 drum?

 

[36coupe]

They are 36 drums, I assume the "early 36" assertion is correct. They are factory fit ford parts for at least part of the 36 model year. I'm talking about the last pic shown, not the first.

Mart.

I got a few of those as well.

 

[PeterC]

Re: Lightweight Brake Drum - Really?

I know this post has been running a while now - but can't help but wonder - are these types of open drums really lighter weight ? .. or similar weight because the casting must be heavier for strength to make up for the cooling slots? Also - they were designed for additional cooling - not weight - hence the phrase "Mountain Brakes" correct?

 

[David J]

Always wondered why folks think the openings are for " extra cooling " as the wheel and hub cap pretty much seal them off .

 

[JM 35 Sedan]

Re: Lightweight Brake Drum - Really?

I know this post has been running a while now - but can't help but wonder - are these types of open drums really lighter weight ? .. or similar weight because the casting must be heavier for strength to make up for the cooling slots? Also - they were designed for additional cooling - not weight - hence the phrase "Mountain Brakes" correct?

I've heard them referred to as "Rocky Mountain Brake Drums". I guess that implies they may give better cooling while braking on the down slope???

 

[Mart]

They were just the stock units. Not lighter or better cooling - just the standard item bolted on on the production line.

If there are holes (like on the 32-35) it was probably for saving material (therefore making the item cheaper / lighter) which is always an aim for any manufacturer.

The early 36 type is just a hybrid crossover between the hole type and the one piece later 36. It must have been expensive to make, and I bet Ford couldn't wait to get the one piece (must have been cheaper, surely) rolling down the line. having all those extra studs and nuts, extra machining, assembly time etc, would have made the two piece items relatively more expensive.

All the above is based on pure guesswork, and is in no way based on knowing any facts, other than knowing how manufacturers think, especially when dealing with the volumes Ford were dealing with.

Mart.

 

[Brian]

And on 35 at least [probably earlier], there is a tin pressing that covers those cutouts; it sits around the wheel studs and is sandwiched into place with the wheel.

 

[JSeery]

There is some new information (to me), never heard of them or seen them. Must be one of those items that were ditched early on like the engine compartment lower covers.

 

[Brian]

I've currently got the front wheels off of my 35; I'll post a picture of one of these tin covers once my wife gets home; she's smarter than me on computer stuff.

 

[Brian]

The only purpose I can think of for these covers is to keep brake dust within the drum.

 

[Jason in TX]

Neat!