Author Topic: Adapting 32-34 spindles to 39-48 backing plates (Read 7198 times)

31Rodder · « **on:** April 08, 2010 5:26 PM »

I wanted to use the 32-34 spindle since I wasn't running a drop axle and it has the cool steering arm on it. The problem comes with mating the spindles and backing plates. The 32-34 spindles have a smaller pattern when trying to adapt them to the juice backing plates {39-48). Some notch the backing plates to use the with the early spindles and use a juice brake adapter kit. What I used was the alternative method of modifying the spindles as I saw it on the hamb.
Here is a set of spindles I got from Weed from a 33-34. What I used was an old adapter kit from cragar. also a section of 1/4" square bar.

31Rodder · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2010 5:28 PM »

The first thing I did was V the square bar and the spindles so I would get good penetration when joining them together.
I started out by tacking the square bar to the spindle. As I worked around the spindle and heated the square bar to form it around the spindle.
After it was tacked all the way around I finished welding it on both sides and ground it smooth.

31Rodder · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2010 5:30 PM »

I filled in the old mouning holes on the spindles and ground them smooth.
I took the ring from the adapter kit and placed it on the spindle this allowed me to align the backing plate on the spindle.
I placed the backing plate and centered it and marked the holes with a centering punch.
Next came a tedious task of drilling out the holes. The first spindle was a piece of cake and everything lined up.
On the second however i had to fill in two of the holes and do them over, I figure when I center punched it must have shifted slightly causing the holes to be off.

31Rodder · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2010 5:31 PM »

Here the spindles are with the holes drilled.
You can see that the large adapter ring in on, also on the spindle the smaller ring from the adapter kit is slid onto the spindle.
And then with the backing plate mounted, I am please with how this turned out.

tracywiedrich · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2010 5:38 PM »

I've always thought it would be neat to be able to run the open brake drums, is there a reason you couldnt with this set-up? Just wundering out loud....

31Rodder · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2010 5:46 PM »

Quote from: "tracywiedrich"

I've always thought it would be neat to be able to run the open brake drums, is there a reason you couldnt with this set-up? Just wundering out loud....

I went and set the 33 drum on the 48 backing plate and it looks like the wheel cylinder might rub.

tracywiedrich · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2010 6:07 PM »

That would explain it, I figured there had to be a reason or you would've seen it done by now...

Tom · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2010 7:31 PM »

I have been told that back in the day the outside spacer they used is from a model A pistion ring and the bearing spacer is from valve seat.That was how they did it before they were avalible in a kit.

Thanks for the tech.

Eyeball · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2010 9:45 PM »

Quote from: "Tom"

I have been told that back in the day the outside spacer they used is from a model A pistion ring and the bering spacer is from valve seat.That was how they did it before they were avalible in a kit.

Thanks for the tech.

That is exactly what is in the kit to this day. I broke one of my rings when I put mine together and tried like hell to find a cheap set of A rings but it ended up cheaper to just order another set.

sixinarow · « **Reply #9 on:** April 09, 2010 3:43 PM »

Nice job Todd. For my fictitious A roadster being built in my head this is what I will be needing to do.