The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Switching to 5 lug Chevy Car Fronts

Hi,

I have met a stovebolter in the Swap Meet who has the follwing 5 lug front drums for sale. I am happy with my stock set up and not ready to convert to disc and all that good stuff. He wants $50.00 for these. He had them on his 39 1/2 ton and said they were from an early 50's Chevy car. I am wondering if they will work in swapping on my 55.1?
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/55chevy/ChevyCarDrums4.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/55chevy/ChevyCarDrums3.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/55chevy/ChevyCarDrums2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/55chevy/ChevyCarDrums.jpg[/img]

Thanks,
Chris

the 50's car stuff does work - I can testify they'd fit on a 55-59, and as the shoes and cyls are the same on yers as mine, I'd expect all ya need are the hubs and drums to make that switch - if the drums are useable that package is well worth 50!!

Bill

If they are early 50's car stuff they will work.

You'll end up using the truck inner bearing and the car outer, or maybe its the other way around, its been a while since I last did this.

You may need to redrill the holes in the backing plates to fit the axle, and you'll need to space the backing plates (very securely!) to make sure the shoes are located correctly to fit the drums. Keep the spacers you remove as you remove the stock backing plates, and use them as a pattern for diameter and thickness and then measure to determine the correct length.

you know you gotta change axles or have yours redrilled for the 5 lug pattern.

Your replies are why I am so glad to be a member here. Your input over the last few days has been awesome.

I believe I am just going to wait and keep the original axle up front and eventually change over to disc conversion and dual master cylinder.

Thanks everyone.

Chris