Backing Plate Spacers

[Stuart F.]

In another thread currently running, I noticed concerns for the need to use spacer(s) behind the backing plates on C-1 big brake cars.

My question is: was there also spacers used behind the backing plates of J-65 Metallic brakes on C-2's?

When I last changed my brakes on my 63 a few years back, I tried to use replacement drums and found they would not fit up to the backing plates properly. Now this would be sort of a reverse situation from the C-1's, but had I used spacers perhaps the standard replacement drums would have fit. As it was, I had to recut my original drums from my J-65 brakes in order to get a proper fit.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: Backing Plate Spacers

So, OK, I asked a stupid question. It doesn't matter now anymore because I am very happy with my brakes as they are. I just was trying to figure out why the replacement drums would not fit up to the backing plates properly. I never did return them to get my money back because I had already painted them and had them on trying to get them to adjust right, which they would not of course.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: Backing Plate Spacers

Stuart;

Thank you for your response. I was beginning to think there were no C-2 owners anymore that did their own brake work. Guess It is a moot point.

Thanks again.

Stu Fox

[Doug L.]

Re: Backing Plate Spacers

Hi Stu,
I don't want you to feel neglected.

If I remember correctly you installed Praise Dyno brakes like I did. I never made a comparison of the difference in drum fit and I no longer have the old drums. I stuck my head under the front of my car this morning and I see that there is a gap between the rear flange of the drum and the backing plate. Then I went into my photos and found one of the original system. It appears that there is little to no gap. If you still have your old drums I guess you could measure their depth and compare that will the depth of the Praise dyno drums.

Is there a problem? Don't know.
Doug

[Stuart F.]

Re: Backing Plate Spacers

Doug;

Thanks for the comeback. I was beginning to think I was that new show character: "The last man on earth".

In my situation, I'd gotten new drums from Eckler's when I got the Praise Dyno brake kits anticipating their need. I had been advised that if my J-65 metallic pads were rusting off then, more likely than not, my original drums (at 40,000 miles) would also be worn beyond saving. The Eckler's drums seemed to be generic 11" GM with the proper width, but I couldn't get them to fit up to the backing plates in order to adjust the shoes. The gap was small, but enough apparently to cause a problem. I found I could cut my originals well within spec limits so went back to them. They continue to work fine after a couple thousand miles, and I made a friend at "Just Brakes" who has changed my DOT 4 fluid twice now over the years since I made the change. My only negative about these brakes is that I use a correctly dated 63 MC which is sleeved. It looks nice and correct, but I'd rather have a better hydraulic mechanical advantage ratio (perhaps with power brakes).

Thanks again for the response and, as Father to two Commercial Pilots, I must say "keep the shiny side up!"

Stu Fox

[Donald O.]

Re: Backing Plate Spacers

Stuart;

Thank you for your response. I was beginning to think there were no C-2 owners anymore that did their own brake work. Guess It is a moot point.

Thanks again.

Stu Fox

Stu,
While I have a C2 and do my own work, my C2 only came with the 4 wheel discs and have no memories of my 64 vert brakes that I sold in 69. I just had no help to offer and didn't and couldn't think of an answer other that the drums you bought were not the right size.

Did you take any measurements of the originals and the repops for a comparison so all can get edjukatid?

DonO

[Stuart F.]

Re: Backing Plate Spacers

Don;

This was nearly four years ago that I changed my brakes and, at the time, my concern was to get my car back together for a show. I still have the replacement drums as I had painted them and did some degradation of them by trying to get them to fit up and adjust properly. One day, when I am up and running, I will measure them up against my originals to better grasp the reason why they wouldn't work. Their outward differences were only that they did not have grooves for the anti-chatter springs and, as I recall, they had (or did not have) adjusting slots. I can't recall. All I could see by the eye was that they were not fitting up as close to the backing plates as my originals That was enough for me to seek the alternative plan of cutting my originals.

I thought my thread would surely elicit a response from someone who may have had a similar experience as, after all, the J-65 option was a fairly popular one in 63. If I had my pads rusting off the shoes at 40,000 miles and in only 50 years, I probably wasn't alone.

Thanks for your response.

Stu Fox

[Philip C.]

Re: Backing Plate Spacers

In another thread currently running, I noticed concerns for the need to use spacer(s) behind the backing plates on C-1 big brake cars.

My question is: was there also spacers used behind the backing plates of J-65 Metallic brakes on C-2's?

When I last changed my brakes on my 63 a few years back, I tried to use replacement drums and found they would not fit up to the backing plates properly. Now this would be sort of a reverse situation from the C-1's, but had I used spacers perhaps the standard replacement drums would have fit. As it was, I had to recut my original drums from my J-65 brakes in order to get a proper fit.

Stu Fox

Hi Stu there are no spacers on C-2 drum or disc brake cars, the backing plates on drum brake (all type)are bolted flat to the spindle. Phil 8063

[Stuart F.]

Re: Backing Plate Spacers

Thanks Phil. Works for me. I still have 4 small boat anchors stacked up in one corner of my garage for my heirs to dispose of. Back in the old racing days, they may have been useful for trunk weights.

Thanks again. Guess we can put this one to bed.

Stu Fox