63 Brake Springs

[Ernie F.]

The 63 frame I'm doing has the rectangular wire springs on the front, 216 coils and they are right at 30.50" long. However the rear drums do not show any signs of having springs?

I can find no mention in the JG of the rear brake springs.

Am I missing the rears or were they left off the rear drums at the plant?

Ernie

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Brake Springs

Ernie,

I remember my 63 being the same way, springs on front and not rear. I always thought someone took them off. When I put the suspension back together I bought used springs and put them on the rear.

Now that your talking about it I think I will go look at my judging manual and see what it say's.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 63 Brake Springs

Ernie.

I never remember having/seeing springs on my rear drums either, and I've owned my 63 since 1967.

Fronts? YES

Chuck

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Brake Springs

I think if you check the archives you will find this subject has been discussed. I believe the 63 cars only had the springs on the front wheels. My 63 has them only on the front also.

[Ernie F.]

Re: 63 Brake Springs

Bob and Chuck,

Thank you all for the answers!

Chuck, 1967 huh. . . Sweat! If you rec. top flight without them I guess I won't have them either.

Bob, I did check the archives, but nothing stated this is the way it is!

I'll check agian tomorrow and try to find out.

I wish a jugdge would chime in and just say hey dummy, this is how we judge it!

Ernie

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Brake Springs

I typed "drum spring" in the archive search and had several hits. One went on for a while on the subject try https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ht=Drum+spring
You might find your answer or maybe just more questions.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 Brake Springs

By chance do any of you have the J65 Sintered Metallic Brake option? Mine did and it had the Anti-Chatter springs on the rear drums as well as the front. Mine was a July 9 build.

On my recent rebuild of the brakes, replacing the Sintered Metallic with Matrix Ceramic, I removed them to put on new ones and found I couldn't find a way to put them back on by myself. So, they remain hanging in my garage (new and old) and I haven't found a reason why they shouldn't remain there.

Stu Fox

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Brake Springs

I have the standard brakes and only found the springs on my front brakes on my May built car.
There was some discussion in the archives about how to install the springs.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 Brake Springs

Yes, I believe I participated in that. Every one was tlking about which ones to use and the like, but I just wanted to know how to put them back on. I have the responses in my notes for when I get brave enough to try again.

Stu fox

[John D.]

Re: 63 Brake Springs

Ernie, This is an age old discussion. When I bought my 63 it had not been on the road since 1970. It had four (4) rusty springs on the brake drums. The car was unrestored for sure. Meanwhile we restored the car the first time in 1979 and put the 4 springs back on. Well over the years I lost one of the rear springs here in the garage. So when the car was re-restored I found out thru these forums and judges that only the front springs were required so I cheated and just went with them. So I really don't think we know for sure if the springs were on just the front or all the way around. Now I know I will be critized here but I have talked to numerous other old time 63 owners and they ALL had the springs on all 4 drums. I have no clue what the 5th edition says though.
There are basically two types or two configurations of springs. Two different shapes of the coils. Check in the archives here as Hanson etal have talked about these springs in great detail.
Franz Estericher is quite knowledgeable on these springs and I think he makes a repro of them. John D.
P.S. For judging purposes if you just put them on the front it will fly.
P.S.S. I forgot to mention my 63 the LWC has metallic brakes (yuk). I just read Stu's post and see his 63 has them also and that's why the rear brake drum springs???

[Ernie F.]

Re: 63 Brake Springs

Thanks all,

This car is standard brakes, so I'll go with what I have.

John, The jig is up, you cheated and now they know.

Ernie