Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

I'm in the middle of doing a brake swap on my roadster.. swapping the 42-48 ford drums and backing plates for a pair of original 1941 (flat) lincoln drums and (shallow)backing plates.
My car has 42-48 ford spindles..
All the parts are restored, and all brake components are oem style purchased from Boos..

The drums won't seat into the backing plates.. they are about 1/4 - 3/8 out too far.. they spin freely, just not in far enough. They way they are now about an 1/8 of brake shoes aren't inside the drums.
Right now the bearing and races are the same as early ford.. (timken # 15118 bearing #15250x races).
The only thing that makes any sense is that the 1941 lincoln drums use a narrower inner wheel bearing ?
Would anyone know if this is true?

Just for the heck of it i check the fit of the ford drums..and they fit just fine on the newly set up lincoln backing plates.

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1779736260

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1779736260

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

i'm only familiar with the REAR brake/hubs, brake shoes and backing plates on a '41 ford. and i have no idea if your problem involves a mismatch between the backing plates and brake/hub castings or possibly axle tapers and brake/hub internal tapers.

but i do know that the REAR brake/hub casting on my '41 ford is of one piece and its proximity to the backing plate, when secured, is defined by the fit between its male taper, at the end of the rear axle, and the matching female taper inside the brake/hub casting. and the bearings look to be pressed into the brake/hub casting and have little to do with positioning. but rather, ride on a uniform, machined surface of the axle INBOARD of the axle's tapered end.

i know that if the male taper is too small for the female (a common and embarrassing occurrence!) the brake/hub casting can bind on the backing plate before the securing nut is torqued to spec. and may squeal loudly. under such circumstances there is suitable conically shaped shim material available for purchase that can be fitted 'round the axle's male taper to increase its girth. :)

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

I dont have any experience with the rear drums, only fronts, and although I appreciate your explanation, its not at all what's go8ng on with my set up..
There is no binding at all, the lip on drums just don't nest into the backing plates-

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

understood... i only mentioned it because if something sits on a taper, whether it won't go in far enough or goes in too far, the root cause would be the same.

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

Gottcha...

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

I has the Lincoln ’flat’ backing plates one year only 41 ) look as Ford 39/40 ) and had the 42/48 before and they get in deeper and they use another drum.
The 39-40 Lincoln had even a more deeper backing plate.
I know if one use a 32/34 spindle it needs as adapter to bearing anx thd Ford V8 store sell a kit.
I has the 39/40 spindles that will work on the Lincoln 41.
I has the old drum/backing plates, but it was hard to find and expensive.
Rear brakes was the same 39/48 on Lincoln.

https://36fordwoodie.weebly.com/lincolnbrakes.html

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

Lincoln spindles are different; mount the backing plate further outward in relation to the hub/drum.

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

I was thinking the same thing ...to make a spacer..
It's either that or machine the inside of the hub so the inner race sits deeper
into the hub.

Either seem kind of crazy, as this parts combo is a very common swap out.. there is the possibility although unlikely that no one noticed or cared that the drum doesn't ride in the dust shield....

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

Thought you needed to run either a '40-'41 style Ford drum on the Lincoln hub or any Ford hub/drum to use those Lincoln backing plates.

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

Could be.. since most of the guys I'm talking to have done that...

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

I have used Ford drums and 41 Lincoln backing plates, as well as the 41 Lincoln drums/backing plates, but the latter was on 32-34 spindles.

I did try the 41 Lincoln drums on 40 spindles with Ford backing plates and had the same spacing issue.

Tyrell Pennington @tradrod1930 on IG went through this same ordeal and ended up making spacers for the backing plates.

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

Thanks so much for this response, I value your experience and knowledge immensely! It’s refreshing to know I'm not crazy...
I'll have a look at that IG profile.

Thanks again!

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

if a spacer does work and you fabricate one or possible find a ready-made one, i don't envy you trying to fit it, as i spent quite a bit of time simply replacing the left rear one on my old Ford and it was an experience i sincerely do NOT wish to repeat! :)

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

I'll be sure to post my findings and solution..
Honestly, it's just good to know that I'm not alone in the struggle..
I as the old saying goes..
Cool ain't cheap, easy or comfortable!

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

i converted my 35 using 39-40 Lincoln 'deep dish' backing plates and encountered the very same problem using the original 35 drums...I machined up a pair of spacers, from memory .170" thick, and everything worked out great.

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

Tha ks Brian!

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

The Lincoln drum/hub looks like it will narrow the track. Is that desirable? The long snout may be a problem for some wheel/hubcap combos. They definitely wont take wire wheels. Have you taken the trial fit far enough forward to include your wheels and hubcaps? All above based on looking at the pics, no personal experience.

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

Mart,
The narrower track is the desired look.. the 41 lincoln drums allow the inside of wheel to cover more of the drum.. giving a cleaner look..
I was running 42-48 drums with the hubs on the outside of the drum.. the lincolns will get me the look i'm after, and give me the ipgrade of a self energizing brake system.
Right now I don't run hub caps.. my other (50 merc wheels)wheel combo i similar set up but powder coated black.. and the stock Merc cap clear the longer snout ..

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

Glad you've covered the bases.

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

[QUOTE=Mart;2453355]Glad you've covered the bases.

Its purely from learning the hard way!

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

I made some of this spacers to Sweden hotrodders last year.
This is 32 spindles to Lincoln backingplates ( I think 42/48 ) no udea of whsg drum,

I had the 39/40 spindles and Lincoln 41 backingplate/drum ( like that flat look )
I seen Spencer in 1950’s used the 39 deep backingplates.
On pictures text say 41 Lincoln but thats not correct.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...etails.536915/

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

In my earlier post I stated I had to make up spacers, from memory, .170" thick. Different application; I'm using 35 spindles and drums....The way I see it, you're using 42-48 spindles AND drums....this means they are matched and in the correct orientation to each other; it is the backing plate that needs to move outward 1/4"-3/8" as you've already surmised. Make some spacers up that both spigot onto the spindle flange, and have a spigot to correctly centralise the backing plates, at the 1/4-3/8 thickness and you'll be sweet! Good luck.

Re: Lincoln Brake Conversion issue
 

Old thread with helpful discussion from Richard (EV8G).

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...rakes+original

"Some of the original Lincoln-Bendix brakes did not have the outer ring, but did
have 3 mysterious "buttons" around the outer backside. Maybe 39-40? The
rings ARE available to be added for those who want them. The new drums have a deep
outer groove that the edge of the brake plate fits into, which helps keep dust/water out.
Otherwise, the new plates are thick stampings, but lack some of the finer detail of the
originals; as with most stuff, the originals are the way to go IF they can be found in decent
(not rusted to hell) condition and $ is no object... since they are usually not cheap!

There are also different versions of original Lincoln-Bendix brake plates and corresponding
hubs/drums, whereas the reproductions, which are often advertised as 39-40 are
ACTUALLY the scarce, one-year-only 1941 (fronts) that are the same offset as ALL rears
39-48 (shallowest design) and which CAN be used with Ford hubs/drums. The original 41's
used Lincoln front hubs (all front hubs are the same 39-48) and the, again one year only,
flattest drums, which results in the narrowest front track BUT cannot use Ford or KH wire
wheels on the flat drums, or the 42-48 "medium" front drums, without a serious spacer on
the flat drums or a half-serious spacer on the medium drums.

The "trickest" Lincoln-Bendix fronts are the actual 39-40, which have the deepest offset
and have the smaller bolt pattern that fits 32-34 and 35/36 spindles. A special
kingpin/bearing kit must be used on these, and must use the Lincoln hubs BUT the new USA drums fit, which solves the problem that most Lincoln front drums that can be found are machined beyond the limit. The new drums are good for 12.090" so they are also thicker than the originals to start with. These provide the narrow front track, but allow the option of using Ford or KH wire wheels, using only the standard Wire Wheel Support Ring to
support the inside of the bolt circle.
Reports on Lincoln brakes vs original - Th... "