brake drums

[Mike in Maine]

Jan. '31 AA. Can cast iron drums be used in place of steel. If so, would there be an advantage to using cast iron?

[Neil Wilson]

Mike,
All '30/'31 AA brake drums are the same (front and rear). The cast iron drums are an aftermarket and will work on any '30/'31 AA. I think that the cast iron dissipate the heat better than steel. And, some shops do not know the correct procedure to turn steel drums (slow is good).

[Rob MacDonald]

...which begs the question: will we ever see repro AA brake drums?

I'm about to buy a late 1931 LWB AA at a great price, and replacement brake drums are the only part that worries me.

While I'm voicing heresy....I wonder if Mitchell would ever do a syncro AA transmission?

[E.Moore]

One rule of thumb on cast iron brake drums is to use composite (late model style) brake shoes. Woven Brake Shoes should only be used on the steel drums and composite shoes should only be used on cast iron drums.

The woven material works best on steel drums and allows all drums and brake shoes to dissapate heat evenly.

The composite shoes will hot spot with steel drums and will cause brake fade.

Cast iron drums with composite shoes work together to dissipate heat evenly.

Be sure to have the shoes arced to match the drum they will be working in. Don't mix and match shoes and drums unless the shoes are arced to match the drums. The AA will stop very nicely when the brake system is restored and adjusted to factory specs and tolerances.

This is true for the Model A cars & Trucks.

[Chris Haynes]

Will 1932/'33 cast iron BB drums fit on an a '30/'31 AA?

[Rob MacDonald]

From what I've read in 'The Early Ford V8 As Henry Built It', a great many AA parts wer continued in use until at least 1934.