52 f1 horrible brakes

[Ken Arms]

Has anyone used the drums that Macs sells, I need to rebuild my f1 brakes or quit driving it. My front drums are too thin to have turned and I only find repops at Macs and they are pricey. I would love to bolt on the disk conversion from speedway but my hunch is they wont work well with the stock master. Any thoughts from the f1 guys? HELP! Ken

[Chris]

I would bet you can get that drum at a local parts house? I think they used that drum up into the 60's...

[skidmarks]

The 48-52 has more offset then the later 53 and up drum and are expensive. Sometimes you can find good used ones. I remember reading were someone found a late 80's bronco rear drum that would work on the front of the 48-52 and were common and inexpensive.

Its a wider shoe on the bronco but the depth works with the offset of the F1 hub and you only use the outer 2" with the F1 shoe.

[Ross F-1]

'86 150 rear drum works for the front on 48-52 F-1's
NAPA #ND 4401455
Rock Auto = Centric 122.65022

But honestly, why not get the correct drums? The F150 drum kinda scares me, to be honest. The correct ones are expensive, but it's not likely you'll ever need new ones again.

[FortyNiner]

I needed a full set and got them from LMC a couple of years go. They have served me well and fit perfectly.

[rich b]

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Originally Posted by Ross F-1

But honestly, why not get the correct drums? The F150 drum kinda scares me, to be honest. The correct ones are expensive, but it's not likely you'll ever need new ones again.

What scares you about the F150/Bronco drum?

Have you had trouble using them in place of F-1 drums?

I have used Bronco drums on a couple of cars with no problems.

The application I use are '80 Bronco rear drums.

[Mthewrench]

Rock Auto 80 bronco drums $31.95 might be worth a try. Raybestos and Bendex.
But might be best to match it up at the counter at napa or?
MW

[Ross F-1]

Originally Posted by rich b

What scares you about the F150/Bronco drum?

Have you had trouble using them in place of F-1 drums?

....

I just looked at MACs F-1 and the F150 drum they sell, and they are almost identical. Their F-1 drum isn't made the same as the OEM's, so I can't see a persuasive reason not to do the F150 drums.

[JSeery]

I use the later F150 drums with F1 hubs and backing plates on the 33 axle.

[Ken Crans]

Don't use F150 drums, go to Sacremento Vintage in Cali for correct F1 99.00 a piece and she'll stop on a dime with 9 cents change!

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by Ken Crans

Don't use F150 drums, go to Sacremento Vintage in Cali for correct F1 99.00 a piece and she'll stop on a dime with 9 cents change!

And just what would lead you to believe that the F150 drums would have any less stopping capability? Nothing wrong with the F1 drums except the price!

[Ken Crans]

I prefer to use OEM Im sure F150 will work according to JSeery.Let us know how F150s work.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by Ken Crans

I prefer to use OEM Im sure F150 will work according to JSeery.Let us know how F150s work.

Think I understand what you are saying, but F150 drums are just as OEM are the current repo F1 drums are! If you were wanting all F1 parts on an F1 I would agree. My drums are on the front of a 33 coupe with F1 backing plates and spindles, so keeping it all a specific year is not a concern.

[rich b]

Wonder how many OEM F-1 drums are around, even the drums Ford sold later differed from the original style. As far as I have seen all the drums sold in the replacement parts market before they became obsolete differed too.

One thing I like about using Bronco/F-150 drums is that they are composite and don't have the extra weight of thick center like the full cast repops. I guess there are also
two varieties of repop F-1 drums. The "not so good" versions are not real concentric.

[Ross F-1]

Rich, what do you mean by "composite"?

Here's a pic of a new F-1 drum, a MACS "F-1" drum, and MACS F150 drum, just so we're all on the same page

[rich b]

Originally Posted by Ross F-1

Rich, what do you mean by "composite"?

Here's a pic of a new F-1 drum, a MACS "F-1" drum, and MACS F150 drum, just so we're all on the same page

By composite I mean iron drum cast over steel center.

The repop F-1 drums that I have seen have all been a full cast drum, like the
attached picture (borrowed from Van Pelts sight).

Almost looks like your picture of a new F-1 drum is a cast version judging by
the thickness and squared edge of the center register.

Your picture of Mac's F-1 drum looks like a regular Bronco/F-150 drum
(with a 50% mark-up) to me.

The primered drum in the attached picture is a regular aftermarket (before they became obsolete) F-1 drum. Notice how the center protrudes out from the drum.

I also attached a picture ( borrowed from the HAMB) of an original F-1 drum; hard to find any good ones like those anymore. These also have the slot for a feeler gauge when setting the top anchor pin on the initial adjustment.

[Ross F-1]

Thanks Rich. I've seen yet another style, with a steel circular plate that the lug nuts bear on, welded to the drum.

[Ken Crans]

My drums are like the pic that Rich has in thread 16 all the way to right..OEM

[Ken Arms]

Thanks everyone, all good info. I opted for the f150 drums since the cost is down. I found some locally at a parts store and was able to compare them to my originals. I bought a set of new shoes and both drums, one drum had to be ordered. The one I did get fits perfectly so once I get the second drum I will get a test ride in and report back. Now I wonder if they would work at the rear? Ken

[rich b]

Originally Posted by Ken Arms

Thanks everyone, all good info. I opted for the f150 drums since the cost is down. I found some locally at a parts store and was able to compare them to my originals. I bought a set of new shoes and both drums, one drum had to be ordered. The one I did get fits perfectly so once I get the second drum I will get a test ride in and report back. Now I wonder if they would work at the rear? Ken

Rear F-1 drums are the same as F-100 drums and were used up into the '60s at least.

They are readily available at about any auto parts store.