I just received an advance copy of The Rodder’s Journal #59, and the good folks over there were nice enough to feature my “Bendix-style” self-energizing brake conversion for ’39-48 Ford brake backing plates. I have been offering this service for several years now, but up until this point it has been a strictly word-of-mouth operation.
Do you like the look of the original ’39-48 Ford brakes, but would like them to stop much better while keeping that same traditional look? This is the solution!
The conversion consists of media blasting the original pair of ’39-48 Ford backing plates, filling and metal-finishing the original holes for the wheel cylinder, moving the original shoe link location outboard to clear the star adjuster, re-drilling/machining, and installing the new modern Bendix-style hardware, shoes, and wheel cylinder. The backing plates are then checked and adjusted for straightness with an original Ford spindle and drum assembly.
The backing plate conversion comes fully assembled with 2″ brake shoes for either Buick or reproduction 12×2 drums, and cad-plated Gr. 5 hardware. Will fit ’37-48 Ford spindles with no modification, and can be adapted to ’28-36 spindles by slotting the mounting holes and using an adapter ring. Rear ’39-48 backing plates can also be converted, but no emergency brake hardware is currently available.
Price for the conversion: $475.00 /pair (shipping not included)
Options: a.) 1.75″ shoes for original Ford drums. ($25.00)
b.) Lathe-turned stainless hardware. ($40.00)
c.) Drilled backing plates. (call for pricing)
d.) Chrome plating. (call for pricing)
The Rodder’s Journal #59.
The brake pictured is one of four on my ’29 Roadster. These have stainless hardware, and are drilled and chromed. (The scoops shown are currently unavailable.)
