Indyhac
Forum Newbie
Posts: 51
Loc: Indiana
Reg: 06-21-09
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11-22-17 10:12 PM - Post#2715412
In response to Bel Air kiwi
Kiwi,
Haven't gotten that far along yet. If the '51 rear drums don't match up, is there any reason that I can't put the '51 backing plates, cylinders, shoes, etc. on and then use the '50 rear drums? 
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 Bel Air kiwi
"3rd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 4110
Loc: New Zealand
Reg: 04-24-14
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11-22-17 10:37 PM - Post#2715414
In response to Indyhac
Hi Scott, I would pass this one over to Ray. I only did the front on mine as I ditched the torque tube. From memory GM used a different flange size on the Huck Axles Vs the Bendix axles.
If our recollection is correct on this then the smart fix is to turn down the axle as the later drum is all anyone repro's.
Cheers Kiwi
48 3100 RHD, 51 Deluxe 4DR RHD, 51 Bel Air parts car, 52 Bel Air P-Glide LHD. Others 23T, 32 Tudor, 58 Edsel pacer 4DR HDT, 79 F250 351C RHD. 69,70,82 Capri. No mobile, no TV, and no Jap cars.
And when it was laid to waste, they called it peace. |
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 raycow
Honored Member
Posts: 27353
Loc: San Francisco, CA
Reg: 11-26-02
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11-23-17 05:33 AM - Post#2715434
In response to Indyhac
Scott, I have never installed Huck drums on Bendix brakes, but I have done the reverse, mainly because of parts availability and/or cost. Because of manufacturing tolerances (and the possibility that some of the drums might have been aftermarket rather than OE), some interfered with the backing plate and others did not. The ones which interfered were easily fixed with some minor machining on the drum. I am not talking about the center hole here, but the rib/flange on the open side of the drum. The machine work didn't cost me anything because I had a friend with a lathe who would let me use it when I needed to.
I realize that machining is probably what you are trying to avoid, so my best suggestion is that you first try the Huck drums for fit. Since you already have them, this will cost you nothing. If they clear the backing plate you are home free. If not, then you can make the decision about machining.
Ray
| Those who choose an automatic transmission want transportation. Those who choose a manual transmission want to drive. |
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Indyhac
Forum Newbie
Posts: 51
Loc: Indiana
Reg: 06-21-09
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11-24-17 06:11 PM - Post#2715602
In response to raycow
Thanks Ray, I'm going to check out the interference issue in the next week or 2. I think the drums are too large to machine on my lathe but I also have a friend with a shop who will let me use one of his larger lathes. I will let you know the results.
Scott
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Indyhac
Forum Newbie
Posts: 51
Loc: Indiana
Reg: 06-21-09
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01-05-18 10:29 AM - Post#2720109
In response to Indyhac
Ray,
As of right now, I have only installed the front hardware from the '51. To install the rear Bendix stuff I will have to pull the axles and cut the 4 rivets that hold the '50 backing plates onto the differential housing. Then I would have to slot the holes in the '51 backing plate because the hole pattern is not the same. If I had known all this when I put the Powerglide pumpkin in I would have gotten the differential housing and put the whole unit in at that time. I'm just waiting for the front flex hoses to get to my parts store to finish installing the front brakes, adjusting, and bleeding them. If just adding the front Bendix system results in satisfactory braking improvement, I'll leave the Huck brakes on the rear. If not, I will tackle that job later! Scott
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raycow
Honored Member
Posts: 27353
Loc: San Francisco, CA
Reg: 11-26-02
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01-05-18 11:32 AM - Post#2720113
In response to Indyhac
Scott, after doing one Huck to Bendix conversion on the rear, I decided it just wasn't worth the bother to do it on any more cars. Are you aware that the parking brake cables will also need to be replaced?
Ray
| Those who choose an automatic transmission want transportation. Those who choose a manual transmission want to drive. |
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Bel Air kiwi
"3rd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 4110
Loc: New Zealand
Reg: 04-24-14
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01-05-18 08:50 PM - Post#2720171
In response to Indyhac
Hi Guys, that's how I ran my 48 PU for years. Bendix front, original Huck rears. Still a great improvement which isn't surprising as the front normally does about 60% plus of the stopping.
But your brake balance will be a bit a bit more front biased.
As you say it's easier to put in the whole later torque tube, than do the diff center and brakes separately.
A small under floor booster will work well with the Bendix/Huck rear combo. But it won't normally be big enough for discs later on.
Cheers Kiwi
48 3100 RHD, 51 Deluxe 4DR RHD, 51 Bel Air parts car, 52 Bel Air P-Glide LHD. Others 23T, 32 Tudor, 58 Edsel pacer 4DR HDT, 79 F250 351C RHD. 69,70,82 Capri. No mobile, no TV, and no Jap cars.
And when it was laid to waste, they called it peace. |
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 mahlmann
"7th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 1631
Age: 73
Loc: Las Cruces, NM
Reg: 01-20-11
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01-06-18 05:18 PM - Post#2720271
In response to Indyhac
I did the rear brake Bendix upgrade on my '50 by replacing the entire rear axel assembly with a 3.55 rear end from a '54 Powerglide. I did need new parking brake cables because my old ones were unsalvageable. I think the whole job took less than 3 hours.
Mike Ahlmann
Las Cruces, NM
'50 Tin Woodies (two) Ramon and Willard
'58 Impala Sport Coupe
'69 El Camino SS-396
'07 Ford F150 to haul parts for above
'16 Ford Explorer 3.5 EcoBoost - Red Rocket
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Indyhac
Forum Newbie
Posts: 51
Loc: Indiana
Reg: 06-21-09
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02-25-18 07:06 PM - Post#2725594
In response to mahlmann
Hindsight being what it is, I'm going to leave the Huck brakes on the rear for now. Too bad since I could have gotten the complete '51 rear axle when I got the hoghead only from the guy in Kansas. Or I could have probably gotten the '51 axel housing when I went back and bought all the rest of the '51 brake stuff except the '51 axel housing, not knowing at the time that would be the easiest way to go. I'm not about to yank the Powerglide back out; it's too difficult to get it lined up. I'd rather go with the underfloor booster if I'm not satisfied just having the '51 Bendix brakes on the front. That said, who knows a good source for one of those boosters should I need one? Scott 
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Bel Air kiwi
"3rd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 4110
Loc: New Zealand
Reg: 04-24-14
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02-25-18 09:50 PM - Post#2725619
In response to Indyhac
Hi Scott, Those aftermarket boosters all come from a limited number of factories in Asia.
But so to do a great deal of the OE ones for some brands.
So it really is a moot point.
Cheers Kiwi
48 3100 RHD, 51 Deluxe 4DR RHD, 51 Bel Air parts car, 52 Bel Air P-Glide LHD. Others 23T, 32 Tudor, 58 Edsel pacer 4DR HDT, 79 F250 351C RHD. 69,70,82 Capri. No mobile, no TV, and no Jap cars.
And when it was laid to waste, they called it peace. |
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