My front and rear drums match the ford manual part numbers, that is 1D 1126 B for the rears and 1D 1125 B for the fronts. My factory manual allows 60 tho over on the 1126 rears but only 20 thou on the 1125 fronts. Is this a typo (the 20 thou) which seems really low,or if correct where can I find a pair of front drums? This is on a 51 Merc M3, a Canadian truck. I am located in east central Alberta. Thanks for your help.

 

Welcome. Not a typo. I'd suggest a call to Chuck Mantiglia of Chuck's Trucks in CT. He will know if they are available, or be able to give guidance on saving your originals. Sometimes relining shoes with thicker material can get you back in service. Stu

http://www.chuckstrucksllc.com/startframe.htm

 

Since 70% of the braking effort is done by the the front brakes it would make sense that they would like a larger mass in the front to absorb the heat. If you are not trying to keep things original switching over to disks in the front would be a big improvement. Also changing to a dual chamber master cylinder would be a good safety improvement.

 

Hello and thanks guys for your thoughts. It appears I may have to go to a later model drum/hub to get this on the road but will do more searching for another solution. This is going to be a restoration, done as is do-able with origional, repaired or replica parts. No 12 volt, no discs, no signal lights etc. as suggested the brakes could get a little scary, usually due to a lack of adjustment and or maintance, but I believe safe if stopping a empty (likely use) truck from 55 MPH. thanks again, I have contacted Chucks Trucks and they have been very helpful.

 

Don, very well said about adjusting and maintaining your brakes, original brakes do stop safely from 55 mph.......6 volt works fine for me too, although I do have turn signals.......I have put about 4000 miles on mine in the last year. I would be happy to share any F3 info with you
Ed
near Philadelphia
fordf348@aol.com

 

I know that many of you won't want to hear this but here are some interesting statistics anyhow. No single improvement in auto design has had more of an impact on vehicle safety than disk brakes. Unfortunately it was never mandated so the impact was drawn out but still most significant as you can see from the chart.

There are many things impacting the reduction in deaths but here are a few facts:

• As the number of cars on the highway with disk brakes increased the number of deaths showed a corresponding decrease.
• Seat belt usage increased also but their use was not made mandatory by most states until the late 1980s-early 1990s. Even then many people did not use them. It required strong enforcement efforts.
• When the 55 mph law was repealed there was no increase in highway deaths as predicted.
• The impact of front airbags has not been as dramatic as side airbags.

In short you can stop a vehicle with drum brakes but their effectiveness diminishes with speed and water on the highway. You are gambling with your life and those of others.

Sorry if I've offended anyone.