This is going to become an ongoing saga. Actually this truck may never make it back on the road for many months now. After the problem with the master cylinder which isn't solved I went about re-doing all the brakes. First problem is the listed wheel cylinders for the rear are too big and no one knows what really goes there. All the books say 1 7/8 while only the front 1 1/16 actually fits except it does not have the correct line fitting. Strike two now.

Second problem was the bear of a problem getting the front drums off. Turns out they both have two grooves in them that are almost 1/8" deep. Surprised they haven't split in two yet. Do you know the problem this presents. New drums and then having to find a machine shop that can press out the hub and then insert it into the new drums and swedge in the lug bolts. Strike three so far on finding a machine shop.

Of course someone will say put front discs on it however that is not cost effective at this time. A new system is way over a $1000 and there are practially no donor trucks in this area. In fact I'm lucky to see anything older than 1980 in the yards around here. Californias great program too get gross poluters off the road means those vehicles get crushed rather than going to a junk yard. Ergo a dearth of parts cars/trucks older than 1980 in the Bay Area. Must be why my parts guy nodded his head when he said you need to get old assemblies and just get them turned.

 

I know I own a 64 but I was able to get my wheel cylinders from carquest for $12 per rear drum. Have you tried there yet?

The drums are most likely held on by corrosion. I worked my front drums off the hub with a little effort with a vise and WD-40. I was able to replace a stud as well using the same vise, deep well socket to fit over the threads, and a little luck I guess to get it fully seated.

What makes you think you have the wrong line fittings on the front?

Have you looked at Rockauto's website for new drums? I know they carry mine in stock. I was going to replace mine but decided to go with a disc conversion.

 

Got myself crossed up a bit. The rear cylinders are 7/8 while the front are 1 1/16 in diameter. The fronts fit fine while the rear cylinders, from two different manufacturers, are too big in lenght by 3/16 of an inch. This causes them to hit that anchor plate on the rear braking plate. One could force them in thereby tearing up the boots on the cylinder. Whatever the parts books say should fit the truck it seems they are wrong and now we have to do trial and error by matching the old one I have. Who knows it could be that a Mustang or Falcon cylinder is what really fits.

The front drums were hard to get off because of severe scoring of the drums by the rivets of the brake shoes. Who knows how long they were like that but it was big time bad in that the grooves were almost all the way through the drum. So the drums need to be tossed and new ones obtained. The problem this presents is finding someone who can press back on the lug bolts to mount the old hub to the new drums. Apparently needs to be done in a special way. I can press them off and that is straight forward. So far haven't found a shop that does that. Also no dismantlers in the region have any Ford trucks from the 60's especially or the 70's for me to get used hubs and drums. Called six and it was basically a waste of time.

 

disregard this post

 

Heres another suggestion check www.craigslist.org for f100/ ford/ etc... in areas your willing to travel.. also maybe even run an parts wanted add yourself.. you never know. I have 2 PYP's in my area and both usually have at least one, usually 3-4 60-79 trucks in there. Just got back today.. I'll start a thread on that news.. got some headers Dont give up these old trucks are a pain sometimes.. but just keep in mind that if you stick it through you'll be able to look over at the fella in a 02/06 etc.. and know full well that POS wont be around in 40 years..makes your heart swell up dont it

For instance: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/pts/238381945.html save yourself the BS ..

 

view this item on ebay item # 190055464716

 

Saw that but I only need the two rear cylinders only. Also his pricing is on the high side once you figure in shipping.

 

CarQuest number for the rear wheel cylinders are EW9021 and EW9022(left, right). The Raybestos numbers are WC17507 and WC17508(left, right). Those fit my '66 F100 and the same part is shown from 1954 thru 1972 for a 2wd and thru 1975 for the 4wd. If you got those numbers than something has been changed with the rear brakes or maybe the piston in the wheel cylinder is pushing the boot out? Try pushing the rubbers toward the body of the cylinder to see if that helps. HTH

 

My 65 drums on the front were pressed on but when you install new ones you will need the studs from a 66 and the drums from a 66 these just slide on and off. I went thru this before my disc upgrade (I know you didn't want to here that). I just gave the complete works to a fellow FTE member new drums included with only about 4000 miles on them and in perfect shape.

Press the old drums off install new 66 studs and you will never have to pull wheel bearings again to remove front drums...

 

Got Coni-Seal cylinders and they did fit into the rear drums. As for the second comment regarding the drums it sounds like the suggestion is to press off the old hub, get new 66 studs and a new 66 drum to use with the 65 hub. Am I reading that correctly?

 

Not true about donor vehicles here in Cali, I live in Windsor about two hours north of you and have already purchased a 77 F150 4x2 longbed with a 351W for $75 from a private party (Craigslist score), plus there was just a '74 F100 SWB at pick-n-pull the other day which still had all the conversion parts you need, also some guy was selling a '74 F100 SWB on Craigslist the other day with disc brakes (minus motor) for $200. Pretty sure he would have taken less because that same truck was listed a few months ago (by a different owner) for $100 or best offer with a running 6-banger. Just keep your eyes open. I have a set of front drums and backing plates off a '72 F100 if you're interested. They have a wider shoe than the '65. My 66 F100's drums will be coming off in favor of discs very soon.

Jhooch

 

Great post Jhooch, I have never been to Cali, but I can't believe that all of the donors are gone. Folks don't see one in their hood and don't get out and beat the bushes. IMHO

John

 

Darn, I gotta get my Ford truck slides out and my viewer working...why are drums different between 65-66?

I don't recall any difference.

Either in Corning or Chico ( I believe it's Chico) there's a huge wrecking yard loaded with older Fords. The guy builds demolition derby cars...and has all kinds of neat stuff.

 

Bill, I might be wrong, but I believe the reference is between 72 and 65. We know there is a difference there, right?

John

 

Well some good news. Ordered the '66 studs after asking my parts guy to look them up. He thought there would be no difference and so he just learned something new as he saw the two side by side. Then he did some looking for new drums as his first search turned up drums at a $100 a pop. Finally found ones at a more reasonable $45 each. Will have them tomorrow morning to put on and then we will see what the system does when all new.

Second, I know parts trucks are out there but not in the general area. My brother had a friend find parts for his '65 all the way out in Sacramento and Stockton but none locally in the 5 bay area counties. Making a 3 hour round trip drive is not what I like to do on my day off from the freeways, especially trying to do it in the 10am-3pm window. Last,one could buy a parts truck locally but I will not have one of those in front of my house ever as it is taken apart.

Just this morning, while driving to work, I passed two flat beds hauling crushed cars on them. Quickly noted at least half a dozen '70 cars in the mix by their huge chrome bumpers from that era. Interestingly they were headed into the Bay Area and not out. Anyway the cars were complete other than being only 4 feet tall.