[mechanickeith]

Have you checked the shoes to make sure they are the same?? I belive Corvair shoes are a bit different from Tempest.

[elefantrider]

$100 each! Well I guess that beats the $78/each my car's PO paid for a rusty old one from East West.

I wonder if USA Parts is getting them NOS, recast or has found a suitable match from another car.

Hope we all can find a suitable new alternative that doesn't break the bank.
Last I checked, my car still has an arrowhead badge on it, not a black/yellow prancing horse.

[GaryK]

USA is all after-market no NOS. I have been happy with everything I have ever purchased from them. If you aren't, you can always return it for a full refund if you do it within the 30 day time period they give you. They are very fast on shipping if the part is in stock.
Fronts are part number P5.809H $99.50
Rears are part number P5.809J $99.50
(the picture in the catalog shows finned drums so ask about that as well)
Their number is 1-800-872-2013. If you spend over $400 they offer a 5% discount.

[elefantrider]

Thanks for the info.
I may be calling them up soon and getting that discount.

LH rear brake is locking up under hard braking, throwing the car of line.
I have tried backing off the adjusting screw on that side. Will try a couple more notches tomorrow and see if it helps any.

[GaryK]

I just went on their website and saw you can download their catalog

http://www.usapartssupply.com/pontiac.php

[elefantrider]

Aluminum drums were listed as special equipment on 61-63 Tempests.

Rather than paying $100 for new steel drums, I wonder if the inexpensive Datsun 240Z aluminum drum could be made to work. The centers would need to be opened up on a lathe and the bolt pattern redrilled, but many other car guys are using them as an inexpensive alternative to hard to find stock drums. Besides looking pretty cool!

http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/datsunbrakedrums.html

Check it out.

[elefantrider]

If my measurements are correct, the only thing that needs to be done on these 9" 240z drums is to redrill the bolt pattern. Center hole is already the same as our axle diameter!

These are also available in steel for around $30 each from Napa. Finned aluminum is around $99 each.

[63Banshee]

A metric drum matches a standard drum minus the bolt pattern. I find it hard to believe.

The hub centric has to be dead on balls accurate or you'll run into problems.

[elefantrider]

It just so happens 68mm ID is 2.677"
Our axle measures 2.675" OD.
I think the Corvair guys are using these 240z drums.

Other dims look good also, but might require some machining.
The interest here is a still-available finned aluminum drum that can probably be made to work.

[elefantrider]

For steel, try also Bendix 140461.
Looks like they would only need the center hole machined out by .020 or .030.

http://www.bendixcatalog.com/PartDet...?b=B&pn=140461

Napa has them for $28 under number ND 4401456

[elefantrider]

Originally Posted by mechanickeith

Today, I checked 2 different drums for a 2004 Ranger. They are 9"x1.75 on a 4.5" bolt pattern. But, the inside of the drum where it goes on the axle center is larger than the axle. Drum measures 2.80 ID, axle measures 2.675 OD. This means that the drum will not center on the axle. The lug stud holes in the drum are larger than the axle studs & will move around on the axle quite a bit. The difference between the drum & axle is 1/8 inch!! I have not had a chance to check a front hub to see what diamater it is.

Keith

Keith, there are a few different ranger drums. The number I found are the earlier ones with the smaller center. Had some extra time this weekend for research and was just a little determined.

Interested to hear anyone's experience with them. Will be a while before I can test them for myself.

[62 tempest nashville]

Any update on drums ????

[mechanickeith]

Nothing new.

[elefantrider]

bringing this one back up.......supposedly the closest off the shelf drum is for a 1983-1997 Ford Ranger. (drum number 8952)

[hootsk]

elefantrider, not sure if that was the one i used, but i don't think so.

the issue of the center hole is critical. the drum i used was a perfect fit for that. the stud holes were slightly larger than the tempest studs, but i was changing the studs anyway.

i did have to shave off a lip in the inside corner of the drum to get the shoes to seat correctly. other than that no mods. no vibration at high speeds that i can remember. unfortunately i sold the car some time ago. forgot it had the ford drums on it. which i guess says a lot.