Stuck brakes on BB

[Owlseye]

Hello, I am new to the group and am in the process of buying a 1933 BB stake bed project.

It has the rear brakes stuck. What should I know about trying to free them so that it can be loaded on a trailer for transport home? It has been sitting in a field in Montana for years. I am told it has a 1937 engine in it. If I don't transport it myself next summer does anyone know of a good way to transport it from Montana to Central Florida?
Thank you for your help and I am sure I will have many more questions as time goes on. John

[Charlie Stephens]

Can't help on the brake question but to confirm the engine is 1937 it should be 21 studs with the water pumps on the front of the block (not on the heads). Some of the 1938 engines also fit this description but I think they are basically the same engine.

Charlie Stephens

[A bones]

Heat and shock. Propane for heat, heavy hammer for shock. Take care to avoid hammering the edge of the drum it may crack. Heat, cool and repeat.

Before doing all that I should ask. Is it parked on hard pavement. If it is on gravel or dirt, drag it to pavement. Pulling it on the pavement might be all that is required.

I just reread your post. "in a field". IF it is not practical to drag it to pavement, ask a local wrecker what he would want to dolly (they have a large set up) it to the pavement.

If it were mine, and not having any luck. I would sacrifice the linings by trying to spray into the works with any good penetrant. Just come prepared with an extinguisher, should you continue to use heat.

Another temporary course is the use of portable dollies to get it on the trailer. Then remove dollies and, secure for the ride home

The hook-up cost by a wrecker is not cheap but if necessary it's better than mileage charges. Good Luck.

[A bones]

Second thoughts: If you should decide to enlist the help of a wrecker, he would not need to dolly it. He can simply winch it out of its nest and grab it from the rear. (costs less but still extra charge) As stated earlier rubber on pavement might get it. Once he pulls the truck to hardscape he can let the weight down and push-pull, to free it up.

Also have we checked to see that all brake linkages are not bound up, free and loose?

[alanwoodieman]

first thing is to make sure the linkages to rear wheels are dis-connected, second is to back off the brake shoes, third would be to drag it, fourth would be to do the heat/cool/hammer with a soft mallet "rawhide or rubber" method talked about above

[Kurt in NJ]

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I have found that hitting the backing plate with mallet loosens stuck shoes better than hitting the drum, back off the adjuster first at each wheel

[A bones]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

I have found that hitting the backing plate with mallet loosens stuck shoes better than hitting the drum, back off the adjuster first at each wheel

I like this one. Thanks for that Kurt. I have a 'modern' car in my drive way that hasn't rolled in 14 years. Will begin there at the backing plate.

[Charlie Stephens]

If it has been sitting in a field for many years and the brakes are frozen I wonder if this is the vehicle you should be buying? What does the rest of it look like? Does it have a title (another problem)? Is there a sentimental attachment, like it is from the family's farm? Being a big vehicle and maybe not a roller it will be expensive to ship, or difficult if you are doing it yourself. As most of us have learned it is best to buy the best vehicle you can afford. Do you have any pictures? Would you care to share what you are paying for it and get comments? Best of luck with your project and welcome to fordbarn.

Charlie Stephens

[Owlseye]

Charlie here is a picture

[Owlseye]

I'll try and post a picture.

[Owlseye]

I think I sent a couple of pictures

[JSeery]

Your photos are somewhere in the 1 to 2Kb range and will not enlarge. They will post much better in the 500Kb size range. How are you posting them? A bit hard to see at that size.

[Charlie Stephens]

John sent me these. It looks better than what I had envisioned in my mind but is still a big project.

Charlie Stephens

[Owlseye]

I didn't say it was pretty, just whole. First project is getting it home next summer. Then trying to get the engine to turn over and maybe run. My friend Jerry Ditaranto has a 32 BB 4 cylinder dump that looks better than when it left Ford plant. Also has about 40k invested. It's been in his family since the 50's. Wish me luck.

[JSeery]

Looks like a good project to me.

[flatford8]

That truck deserves a home....good on you for taking on the project. Is that an exhaust pipe up the passenger side front corner? .......Mark

[Owlseye]

Thank you Mark. No the pipe is part of a fitting for grain work as I have been told. There is also a blower type device under the right side of the bed that somehow put grain or silage in a silo. I don't know what powered it.

[alanwoodieman]

looks like a lot of fun to me!! don't be discouraged, ask any questions you need answers to. all ford flatheads need to be put back on the road under their own power. "Flatheads Forever"

[Firepower flyer]

Nice solid looking truck,well worth restoring!!

[Owlseye]

Flatford8 Actually you were right. It is an exhaust pipe. They routed it that way to keep from setting the grain field on fire. As of Dec 20, 2019 it is running. May 16th 2020 it took it's first self propelled legal trip down the street since 1963. Titled tagged insured running. Still is and always will be a work in progress. Thanks everyone for the help. John