Thread: Miss 32 roadster could really use some help!

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To further Don's comments above as far as adjustment, Ford used in their passenger cars, 1939 to 1948, a Lockheed design brake. It was not one of ol' Hank's better ideas. These brakes were marginal without some regular maintenance and only fair with on the cars they were designd for - on a 2500 pound street rod, plenty good . Not only did the star wheel adjuster need regular attention, they needed to be centered on the drum surface. If they were't centered, your effective brake surface would be limited, often to just a very small patch, top or bottom. There is an eccentric that allows you to center the linings. Another thing or two to look at is whether the shoes are on correctly. With the Lockheed design, the LONG shoe goes on the front rather than the opposite with the later self-energizing Bendix design. Lockheeds are rigidly fastened to the anchor and then to the backing plate while Bendix are floating on pins and springs. Another item to consider is whether those 50 plus year old Buick drums have been turned to the point that standard thickness brake shoes don't have almost full contact. Then if you have the pickup backing plates, then my guess is that they are Bendix style - another bag of worms. But even these have adjustable eccentrics and drum wear and brake lining thickness and installation have to be considered. Whatever, drum brake linings need to be "arced" (ground)to the drums OD.***

My preference is discs, but then my project car is being built new

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