Hi all,

Removed the rear wheels on my 1949 F1 and I am looking at brake drums that have three bolts that must be maintaining the drums on the axle? From reading other threads on this forum, I was under the impression that the only thing holding the drums on a F1 were the lug nuts, the same as the fronts?

My guess, someone must have changed out the rear end in the past, possibly using a F2, F3, or some other rear end? The tag on the differential shows it to be a 4:27.

Can anyone tell me if this is the correct rear drum for my F1, or has it been swapped out from something else?

Thanks for your input.

 

They are real. We've seen some with bolts like that. Others have had similar attachments with large flathead screws. They were there for assembly purposes primarily, so the drums didn't fall off from the diff unit at the factory or transport. You are correct that once the wheel is bolted on, the drum isn't going anywhere.

 

Do the wheels clear the bolt heads?

 

Yes Ross, you can see where the wheel touches the rim around the bolt. There is a raised area in between that arches over the bolts.

The rear you have is the 4.27 option Ford offered. I have one just like it in storage because I swapped it for a 3.50 9" that likes the highway.

 

Thanks for the information everyone!

I need to take off the rear wheels for inspection of the brakes prior to running this thing on the road. The front brakes look as new. Currently, the brakes work, albeit they pull to the right when heavily applied.

The truck has been sitting for probably 15 years or more. I need to go through the entire braking system to make sure it is up to par. Currently, the parking brake is not functioning.

Any input on what everyone has encountered while restoring their brake systems, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,

 

Changing all the system plumbing - lines, hoses, wheel cylinders, and m/c - is the best route. Trying to 'save' bits insures that nothing works reliably.