I recently tried to buy some Front Brake Shoe Springs and Retainers for my '49 from C&G here in San Diego. They told me they were discontinued but they ran about $20 in a package when they had them.

On the way home, I decided to drive to Napa just for grins and see what they have. He pulled out an old book and told me that while he didn't have them, some Napa stores still had them in stock. I didn't get a part number (stupid me) and I struck out when I went to the largest Napa distributor in SoCal. Their books didn't go back beyond '59. Went back to the Napa that had the info and the guy that helped me quit. Couldn't get any help from the other clowns.

I know I can get this stuff from Sac Vintage and others but they get 50 bones for the package that should should cost a lot less. These kits were used on a lot of 11" Drum vehicles for a lot of years. I have to believe they are still available under a Bendix or Raybestos part number.

Anybody have any part numbers ? If not, it's not the end of the world, but maybe others on this Forum would like the info also for their builds.

 

As far as I can tell they were the same from 48-60.

 

Dennis Carpenter has the parts on his web site. Anyone who sells Carpenter parts should have them too.

I agree with Nathan, most places I have found on the internet list the parts as being the same up to '60

 

I got mine at NAPA about 5 yrs ago, they were on one of those displays that rotates. I don't have the #'s. I have some good used ones, PM me if interested.

 

If you still have your old parts take them with you and have the NAPA guys match them up. With the info that they should match up to '60 they should be able to help. Also, try other reputable auto parts places, the smaller independant stores, if you have any left in your area.

Like Ross said, look on the rotating racks. I found the speedo cable and case this way. It wasn't listed for my truck but it was the same lenght and had the correct ends.

 

Slap the NAPA Guy upside the head.
It is in their Computer.
I was playing with their computer for several hrs.
It goes all the way back to Model T stuff.
If there store doesn't have it the will ship from another store.
Tell the Dud to get right or you'll fire his lazy butt.

 

Thanks for the comments.

Napa's web-site doesn't list those particular parts (They had Shoes and Cylinders) for the '49 but they do show Springs and Retainers starting at '58. I'll get it handled. I'ts not Rocket Science but I thought it was worth a holler.

Dawg-a-saurus

 

I had the same problem with the fuel pump for the F-4. I went to my local NAPA and the counter guy had a book with it listed but they didn't have it in stock, but the warehouse downtown had two. No problem, I went down to the warehouse, which also had walk in store. When I got there there were about 5-6 people waiting to be served. I went up to the counter guy and asked for a fuel pump for a '50 Ford flathead. The **** snapped back with "I doubt if we have anthing that old". I informed him their outlying store had it listed on their computer. The guy did a half a** attempt of looking it up in his books and said he couldn't find it. He told me I needed a part number. I told him the counter guy at the other store had the number, I didn't get it from him because I assumed they all worked off the same system. I asked him contact the other store to which he told me he didn't know the other store's number, which is a bunch of crap because every business with multiple locations usually have direct lines to their stores. I suggested that he turn around and pick up the phone book on the shelf behind him and look it up. He called, got the part number, when through the flapping door into the warehouse and returned with pump before the doors stopped flapping, all of about 15 seconds. Great customer service.

One more thing, the last time I went to my local NAPA for a part for one of my trucks the counter guy couldn't find the part number. He yelled over to the manager to ask where he could find the part number for the older vehicles and the manager replied "I think "Bill" took his books with him" so I guess the type of service you get depends on who has the correct literature. Also, if the person waiting on your really gives a rip.

BTW, I have seen fuel pumps sell on uPay for anywere from $50-100, I bought mine from NAPA last year for $39. I was thinking of buying a couple extra and throwing on uPay and turning a profit.

 

Goto napaonline.com and use a 1959 ford truck f-100 rear wheel drive. They have each piece listed. When I did my 59's brakes I had to buy everything seperate. I had to buy a quanity of each, they can't order just a spring. There are no kits like the newer drum vehicles (hold down and adjuster) which gets you everything.

 

My local NAPA store bends over backwards to help me get parts for vintage vehicles. The counter guys are mostly old gear heads and they know how to use the books. Just fantastic service. Now the local autozones and such, well let's just say they have lost my business forever.

 

I took my existing brake springs (front and rear) to my local carquest store and they were able to match them up for me.