Iam looking for front drums for my 51. I know i can get them mail order,Iam trying to find them locally,but parts stores do not go back that far. Is there another year ford drum that will work on this truck. Thanks for the info.

 

Is ther a NAPA store in your area?
I got lots of parts from my local napa store.

 

Yes there are some other Ford brake drums that work. Unfortunately, I don't know what they come from. In an attempt to get my 49 F1 rolling and avoid the high price of new brake drums I scouted around the local bone yard and found two Ford drums that work just fine. They are 11" x 2 ½" instead of the original 11" x 2". The hub size, bolt pattern and offset is a perfect fit. You just end up with a wider surface then you need. Not a problem.

Unfortunately, I found the drums in a pile of parts and have no idea what they originally came off of. I'm guessing something in the 70's or 80's. I have the parts numbers from the drums but have not been successful in cross referencing to see what they originally fit. If I knew what to order, new ones would probably be more reasonable priced at some place like Autozone.

By the way, I probably should not admit this around here but the 11" x 2" brake shoes and self adjusting brake hardware that I'm using came off of a 71 chevy ½ ton. Works just fine. I'm keeping that a secret from my F1. I would not want to intentionally hurt the old girls feelings.

 

thanks for the info. I called AutoZone again and they listed 48-60 as the same number Iam going to give them a try. $43.00 was the price.

 

Brake shoes probably, Brake drums no. As far as I know, 48-52 F1 brake drums are unique. I would be interested in hearing what Autozone comes up with. Autozone's computers go back farther then most and sometimes they do have what you need. When I was rebuilding the wheel cylinders last month, I was surprized to find that they had them in stock, and cheap. Not just the kit, but new wheel cylinders. They probably fit a bunch of other vehicles.

Good luck.

 

He looked it up wrong when I got there , their listing didnt go back that far on drums. I'll keep looking. thanks

 

thejerold has it right - try NAPA. I couldn't find a brake cylinder rebuild kit for my F2 and NAPA had them shipped in from the warehouse the next day. In fact the local store had a replacement circuit breaker in a box when I went in to see if they could order one. NAPA

 

my father in law recently parted out a 52 F1. i think he still has most of the chassis parts. email him at kdmiller@ndak.net . hope this helps.

louie

 

Louie,

Do you think your father in law might also have a front spring and rear lower shock mounts. My F1 could certainly use them. I think I'll send him a messaage.

Thanks,

 

 

I know this is an old question but I was looking at it so maybe someone else is too. I was also in need of front drums for my 1951 M1 project (Mercury version of an F1). I was at a wrecking yard today and found an 11" rear drum from a 1984 Ford F150, almost identical in features needing 1 small modification. ( open the stud holes to 5/8" from 9/16" ( 'cause the studs have shoulders). I gave the guy at the yard $5 for an old one so I could do some R&D, everything's looking good and the local NAPA has new USA made ones in stock for $35 /drum.
Just an option to the $100 drums the specialty guys are selling.

 

Nice tip. Thanks! And welcome to FTE.
Tim

Followup: Are you using stock wheels? I'm wondering if the backset or style might interfer with the wider drum up front. Hmmmmmmm.........

I imagine using modern wheels would give the clearance needed.

 

I've had Fords of near that vintage ('84) and don't remember them having the dished shape the F-1's do. Do you have a picture, preferably mounted?

 

They don't have a dished face - they're a typical drum. I'm thinking that if the wheel is designed for the deeper drum what you'd have is a 2 1/2" drum with a 2" brake shoe. I'm not sure how that might work in a daily driving situation.

I too want to check it out a bit - I've got an 82 and an 84 parts trucks sitting in the pasture. Maybe I'll be motivated enough to shovel snow to dig them out - or just wait till spring

 

MT, I share your concern! I wonder if you could use the whole brake assembly from the rear (backing plate, shoes, etc) to upgrade a little? Self-adjusting no less! (Cool! Emergency brakes on the front!)