CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

[Al R.]

Here's hoping someone will remember an article in the CR magazine that was written several years back where a member used a set of finned drums from another GM/Chevy to "make " a set of big brake drums. While they were not correct or ?, they were somewhat close. I'm in need of 1 or 2 RPO drums for my 59 BB car and thought about going this route for appearances. I have 2 drums that are close to being too thin and would like to put them up in storage, but still maintain the BB appearance. At present time, I just do not have the 4K plus for a pair of RPO drums and would like to preserve my originals for the next owner. The 59 is a driver, not NCRS judging quality. Thanks for any help in locating this past article. Al

[John F.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

I believe it was Tom Parsons on this forum that made his own (DZAUTO).

John F

[Wayne L.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Some members are using Oldsmobile drums from the late 1950's.

[Joel M.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

I'm thinking I used mid 70's maybe Malibu station wagon drums from NAPA. Fins not right but right width and very inexpensive.

[Al R.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Thanks for the replies. Joel, did you have to modify the drums in any manner to get them to work?

[Joel M.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Al --- As I recall the only thing I had to do was set them up in a lathe and remove a very small amount of the inner O.D. flange to prevent rubbing on the backing plate. Not much - maybe 1/8" inch but plenty of meat there to do without compromising the drums integrity.

[Tom P.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

That was me.
I made my own HD brakes from mid 70s GM A-body (ie 76 Cutlass, Lemans, etc) wagons. I made mine for use with stock backing plates, NOT HD brake backing plates. Thus, the modification which I did (pressing in) to my drums may not be necessary when a car has the factory HD brake backing plates (up front). I do not remember which issue of the Restorer the article was in, BUT, if you will email me at home, tparsons6@cox.net , I have the whole article on a word doc and I can email it to you. I can no longer post the pictures------------------BECAUSE PHOTOBUCKET HAS HIJACKED OUR PICTURE FILES FOR RANSOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Al R.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Hey ya'll, Tom was unable to locate his file on the BB look-a-like drums he did. Is there anyone that would remember the issue or the approximate year of issue? Thanks!! Al

[Mark H.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Having nothing better to do last night, I looked thru my back issues of The Restorer up thru Vol. 26 #1 (Summer 1999) and couldn't find it. All my earlier issues of The Restorer are boxed up in binders. I didn't look thru every page of every issue, only checked the table of contents for articles pertaining to C1 brakes. Also, some issues of The Restorer, the author of the articles name is shown in the table of contents, some it isn't, so when it was I was also looking for articles written by Tom. The only two articles I could find were one about valve cover restoration and another about positraction units.

Disclaimer: If anybody else wants to look for it and then post, "Hey, bonehead! It was in (fill in the blank) issue! You went right past it!" I will in no way, shape, or form be offended.

[Tom P.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Well, you're not going to believe it, but I found the article. It IS NOT in the RESTORER. It is in the SACC publication, Vol 18, #4, Winter 2011.

[Bob W.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Tom, Do you use the same drums on both the front and rear?

Thanks Bob

[Tom P.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Yes (sorta), I use the same drums. The application for the drums is the same, BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT, the drums with the bigger/longer fins actually came from cars in junk yards, and when I've ordered new drums from my parts store, they were the ones with the slightly smaller fins.
Unfortunately, since Photobucket has hijacked everyone's pictures for ransom to permit 3rd party hosting, I can no longer post pictures here from Photobucket to show the difference that I'm referring to. Is there a way to post pictures from my computer?

[Bob W.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Tom I think you can but I don't know how either. (can't teach a old dog new tricks)
Bob

[James G.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Yes (sorta), I use the same drums.

Is there a way to post pictures from my computer?

YES TOM. On the quick reply screen, the third icon from the right [ shows a screen]. When you put your cursor on it, it asks '' insert image'' Click it and follow directions to find the photo on your hard drive.

[Tom P.]

Re: CI RPO BB "Look-a-like" drum Corvette Restorer Article

Thanks Jim!

This is the drum with slightly larger fins, as I have found on mid-70s GM
A-body wagons such as 76 Cutlass wagons.










This is a replacement drum for the same application (before and after modification) that I bought from the parts store.
I use this drum on the rear of the 56 and the drum with the bigger fins on the front of the 56.