MTFCA Forum

Has anyone adapted the 26/27 sheet metal lugs to fit the earlier brake drum?

Lugs were moved on the late 25 narrow and 26/27 wide drums.
Bolts are in lugs of the early narrow drums and not in lugs on the removable lug drums.
Look at some. Dan

There is no room as the other Dan stated above. Trying to cut the sides of the bosses to install the replaceable lugs is not possible because the driven plate attachment threads/holes would be severely weakened.

The bolt hole bosses are weakened on the 26/27 style drums as it is.

I have seen early clutch covers with slotted holes so they fit the 26-27 drum bolt pattern so I assume someone has turned 26-27 hubs to match
the 25 configuration to use in a early trans which would give you lugs with shoes.
Craig.

As others, the lug boss is rather narrow to begin with on the small brake drum. Ink mark shows what might be needed to cutaway to install the replacement lug.



Then again, the lug may look like this! Hardly anything left to cut on.

I don't know if they are still available, but years ago someone was making new narrow late '25 style brake drums with the extra bosses for the later lug shoes cast in, my '24 came to me with one.

Update - looks like Lang's still sells it as a bare drum, you have to rivet it to your shaft. https://www.modeltford.com/item/3311D.aspx

Dave Nolting drums have the lugs for the shoes for the early cars if that’s what you’re asking.

The threaded holes on all brake drums, early and 26-7 are a weak point. Both styles are often cracked. Machining the earlier ones would only make the problem worse.

Best solution is a Dave Nolting new drum with the separate clutch lugs. Next best is a good 26-7 drum and drive plate, which is a trouble free drop in solution with the added benefit of one continuous brake drum surface rather than the often stepped surface of a mis-matched drum and driven plate.

Or, hunt down a good original, with little drum wear, no cracks,smooth clutch plate lugs and sound threads for the driven plate bolts. Good luck with your search.

Allan from down under.

CudaMan wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 01, 2024 8:23 pm

I don't know if they are still available, but years ago someone was making new narrow late '25 style brake drums with the extra bosses for the later lug shoes cast in, my '24 came to me with one.

Update - looks like Lang's still sells it as a bare drum, you have to rivet it to your shaft. https://www.modeltford.com/item/3311D.aspx

Yes we make the drums and gears and sold as an assembly.
Made exactly to the Ford print not a cheap copy.
https://www.jandm-machine.com/custom_works.html

Available in the classified section.

J & M :
Yes we make the drums and gears and sold as an assembly.
Made exactly to the Ford print not a cheap copy.

What might you be referring to as " a cheap copy" ?

A good 1926-7 brake drum can be machined down to a narrow drum. Just be sure to leave the lip for the driving plate.

I have fitted 26-7 brake drums without machining them back and they fit in the earlier pans. You just cant run the wide band and lining on them, even if you make "adjustments" to the band ears so they line up with the earlier pedals. It saves modifying an original Ford part.

Allan from down under.