Aluminum Drum Upgrade on 55 Buick Special Need A lot of questions answered PLEASE
I have a 55 Buick Special with Treadle Vac that needs the brake system worked on and upgraded. The car was absolutely terrifying to drive, I posted a few times and most guys recommended going with the big Aluminum drums. Now between this site and just searching on google Im only slightly confused. The biggest problem is some of the posts are so old guys were pulling these parts off of cars in the junkyard, unfortunately I don't have that luxury. I finally saved up some money to get this car built and I just found a set of 69-70 drums on eBay and bought them. I read on THE HAMB where another guy said he had to take the backing plates from the car he removed the aluminum drums from and drill holes in his 55 backing plate to let you install the self adjusters? But he said since he made all 4 wheels self adjust he has a higher and more responsive brake pedal. Do I have to buy these backing plates to use as a template? Ive read so many different things when it comes to the hubs and wheel bearings, can I reuse my hub in the new aluminum drums or do I have to use the later hub? If I do what wheel bearings do I use. What are the best shoes to get for the drums and where do I find them? Is it worth getting big aluminum drums on the rear also? I was thinking of putting the old cast front drums on the rear for wider shoes?
The last part is something I stumbled on to and its an experiment I honestly dont know if it works. But I read the manual brake pedal is 6:1 ratio, a 7" dual diaphragm booster will fit under my car, and only needs 4:1. I ordered the Pedal yesterday from a junk yard in the midwest. Unfortunately the dont have the pivot for it, so Im hoping I can reuse mine. I also got a manual master just to look at and the rod has a loop like a normal power brake booster. Did I possibly figure out a way to get a modern power brake booster and master cylinder on this car?
HERE ARE THE DRUMS I BOUGHT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182522250200...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
HERE IS THE SELF ADJUSTING KIT I WANT TO BUY IT LOOKS LIKE IT DOES ALL 4 WHEELS
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buick-1963-7...3D171306347428
NOT SURE ABOUT BACKING PLATES TO USE AS A TEMPLATE BUT HERE IS A PAIR
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-1970-Bu...ZUpB7H&vxp=mtr
Aluminum Drum Upgrade on 55 Buick Special Need A lot of questions answered PLEASE
From my experience, the master cylinders on these cars are by far the weakest link. I put all new drums and shoes on my 56, then front disc, then rear disc too, and only when I finally switched to a modern booster and master cylinder it stopped like it should. And I had a rebuilt factory power brake booster previously, but it just couldn't cut it. I can lock up my tires on the freeway now if I want to.