While working on a different project, I came up with an idea for the brackets. This is how I usually get difficult things solved. When a problem gets too tough, go do something else.
I had the axle ends from the junkyard '68 brake buy that included the brackets. I sliced them off straight through the axle housing, and then had the axle material turned out on a lathe; leaving just the newer bracket. Old brackets were cut and then ground off the original axle. They sure had good weld penetration. The newer brackets can now be welded on.
Problem solved.
A fun thing occured when I went to the local spring shop to get a set of rear main leaves. One of the eyes was terribly wollered.
Their new machine doesn't have the ability to bend an end as tight as needed. But they had a pair of two inch mains on the shelf! Said they had had them for quite a while. Was the only pair they had. What luck!
When they asked if I was impressed, I of course replied; "Yes". I told them I would be even more impressed if they could find me a shackle (one of mine was also wollered). After searching around on the shelves, a slightly used one was found! I was SPEECHLESS. Things are looking up!!!
Just to clarify, the newer Bendix brakes are 11" x 2 3/4", not 12" x 2 3/4" as I wrote earlier. Parts are not as plentiful as I was thinking.
It may have been easier to swap axles, and possibly cheaper. I would have more gearing choices and even larger brakes. But I can still say it is the original. And I love that big round rear cover.
If I were to do it again from the start, I would probably go with the swap. But then again...
