Brakes on a '47

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Jul 28, 2005 | 11:33 AM

bpm32

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Brakes on a '47

I've got a '47 Ford truck s/n 7991-1589525 and I'm looking for wheel cylinders for the front and rear. I've tried NAPA and they're pretty sure they can get the rears, but weren't sure on the fronts.

Any ideas as to where I might find certain replacements... or do you have any other ideas?

Thanks!

Brian

Jul 28, 2005 | 08:14 PM

46yblock

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From: Southern Oregon

I had 48-52 front hubs, and brakes on my 46 until I converted to discs. If interested I kept the inner bearing and race number to use them with the older spindles.
Edit note: I looked at the link in your profile and see you are working on a heavy truck. F-1 brakes wouldnt work too well!

Last edited by 46yblock; Jul 28, 2005 at 08:19 PM.

Jul 28, 2005 | 08:33 PM

46fordtruck

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Is that 7991, or 799T? There was no 7991, but there was a 799T. Those were the big trucks, 1.5 tons and bigger. As far as the fronts, not sure if they are still made. Mac's Antique Auto in NY carries rebuild kits for the big truck cylinders, you might want to look into rebuilding them. It's not too hard of a process, did that way back on one of my '46 1/2 tons when I still had drum brakes all around, plus it is cheaper than new ones. P/N 91T-2221

Jul 28, 2005 | 09:40 PM

bpm32

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Ah - I bet it is a 799T. I can't get to the truck right now, but I'll look more closely again. The number is pretty difficult to read. I will say this: the truck seems to be a big one. It has duals and all kinds of rear leaf springs.

As for the rebuild kits... I thought about that, but when I pulled the rubber end gaskets off, all kinds of dirt, sand and corrosion fell out from inside. They look to be in pretty darn bad shape. In your opinion, are they still able to be rebuilt?

Thanks again for your time!

Brian

Jul 28, 2005 | 09:45 PM

46fordtruck

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It depends on if there is a lot of pitting in the cylinder bores. If they are heavily pitted then you won't be able to hone that out. Small pits are okay...I had a couple tiny pits in the cylinders on mine, but still rebuilt them and they worked fine. As a last resort if you can't find new cylinders is to have your originals sleeved by somebody.