December 05, 2025 12:42 pm

Author Topic: Buick Finned Drum ?'s  (Read 13585 times)

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Offline flatheaded

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Buick Finned Drum ?'s
« on: January 03, 2007 12:18 am »
Hey everyone! I need help. The wife and I are putting finned Buick drums on her '32 coupe. I printed some stuff off the HAMB but things just don't look right, mainly because I'm trying something a little different, I think.
     This question is probably more for Tom since he has them on his A. At least I think I saw them on there at Sabin.  Anyway, here is what we got:

One set of 90 fin Buick drums
One set of '40 round back Ford spindles
One set of '42-'46 Ford hubs w/ bearings
One set of '40 Ford backing plates w/ shoes

   What I come up with is I think I need to machine the outer diameter of the hubs to fit inside of the opening in the Buick drums. Also, I figured that the hubs need to be mounted on the OUTSIDE of the drum in order for the drum to seat all the way up to the backing plate.  Am I right? :roll:

     The article I printed off the HAMB said to use backing plates from a '53-'56 F-250 so cheaper brake shoes/brake cylinders could be used but I don't have any but had a few sets of the '40 Ford ones laying around.
     Like I said before, I think I remember Tom's A having '40 Ford backing plates with Buick 45 fin drums. Anyway, any input would be greatly appreciated.  Hoppy New Year to all of ya'!!! :D
...And if you call in the next 20 minutes, cause we can't do this all day...

Offline sko_ford

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RE: Buick Finned Drum ?
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2007 1:47 am »
with the yearlyer hubs thay go on the inside i ll post a pic of the adapter ring you need soon but i got to run now
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Offline 31Rodder

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RE: Buick Finned Drum ?
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2007 4:02 am »
http://www.geocities.com/rodder1931/frontend.html

this is what I did.

the 3/4 ton or F2 are self energizing backing plates, but not self adjusting.

Offline sko_ford

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Buick Finned Drum ?'s
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2007 5:43 am »
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Offline sko_ford

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Buick Finned Drum ?'s
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2007 6:00 am »
so i'm in the middle of doing some thing very similar

i have:
1 pair 90 fins
1 pair '40 hubs & spindles
1 pair '48 plates

now from what ive gathered with the 40 41 hubs (which go on the inside of the drum) they only machineing that you need to do is have a ring added to the hubs to match up the od of the hub snout to the id of the drum and drill the bolt patern on the drum to match the hub.

since the hub is on the inside of the drum it pushed the drum away from the backing plate ths negating the need to mill the brakeing surface of the to clear the plate when the hub is out side of the drum

like i said this is what ive gathered and i havent done all of this yet as i just got my hubs back from the machine shop and i need brake parts to fill the backing plates but i'm on my way

so in the three pics here we have one of the hub and the spacer ring, one showing the fit of hub and the drum, and fuzzy close up showing that fit also

so good luck and i hope this helps
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Offline Tom

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Buick Finned Drum ?'s
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2007 1:24 pm »
Hey Joshua, sound like you got it figured out. The only thing I would do different is when I had the drum trimed they cut it back to far so now about an 1/8 of an inch of the brake shoe against the backing plate side is not contacting the drum.
"A rat rod is a hot rod with poor workmanship". Roger S.

Offline flatheaded

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Buick Finned Drum ?'s
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2007 6:57 pm »
Thanks a lot you guys. ALL the info helped a bunch.  I just went out to the shop and looked things over and it makes a lot more sense now. At least it will keep the wife happy knowing she can put finned hubs on her coupe. I'm starting to figure out that keeping your wife happy is usually pretty important.  :evil:      It helps that she likes to work on the hot rod too.  Thanks again you guys. I really appreciate it.
...And if you call in the next 20 minutes, cause we can't do this all day...

Offline racerjohnson

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Buick Finned Drum ?'s
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2007 1:43 am »
give her a hug everyday and thank her for liking to work on hot rods
The problem with having an artistic eye is that you always end up making more work for yourself. -Cleatus on the HAMB

Offline pinstriper40

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Buick Finned Drum ?'s
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2007 1:47 am »
Ha Ha ha ha ha ha.....coming from you racer, that's well....pretty insightful I guess.
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Offline sko_ford

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Buick Finned Drum ?'s
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2007 4:33 pm »
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Offline sko_ford

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drums
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2007 4:45 am »
here are a front and back pics of the 90s with 40 hubs apfter the patern change
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