Need opinions on replacing 10x2-1/2" rear drums with 2" due to unavailability of larger originals.I have searched far & wide ,no luck in finding 2-1/2s.Any suggestions?
I lived this nightmare!! Nobody makes them. scouring old Auto Parts stores for Galaxie or Big Block FORD Fairlane Wagons, etc. is the only hope. now there is a company that advertises Braking upgrades in Hemmings Muscle Car review that makes a 3" rear Drum that looks like a real nice direction to go in case your NOS or viable used parts hunt fails. Best of luck to you!
Aside from the mid sixties Fairlane wagon, I thought/heard that the Econoline van (from the same era) had these same rear brakes.
My understanding is that the following cars came with 10"x2 1/2" drums: 80-89 Full size Fords (Custom, Galaxie, LTD, Crown Victoria, Country Sedan, Country Squire) 66-75 Elite, Fairlane, Torino 69-71 Station Wagon 63-65 Station Wagon 61-67 Econoline E150/100 66-74 Ranchero I read an article where the author used an '84 Lincoln Towncar as a donor to upgrade his '67 Mustang to 10"x2 1/2" drums. Don't know if that helps or not... Josh
Follow up to my last post... in that article I mentioned ('67 Mustang upgrade to 10"x2 1/2" drums), the author used the backing plates from the donor car. He bought new drums and listed the part numbers from two different sources as follows: Pep Boys 10x2.5 brake drum part number 0-30999-08250, price each $54.99 Autozone 10x2.5 brake drum part number 8896, price each $54.99 Again... I'm not sure if this helps... since you have a Shelby, I'm not sure if this would be considered a Frankenstein type of thing or not, but I would think it would be better than switching to a completely different size setup. Josh
Yes I recall the Windstar/Aerostar FORD Mini vans do have that Brake drum size with matching Bolt pattern. I recall seeing people use Explorer rims on early Mustangs as well! I wonder what their rear drums are??
Why don't you just order a new set of rear brake shoes from Cobra Automotive? They list the 10" x 2 1/2" brake shoe, Part # 304-2603 in their current catalog.
Cobra Automotive also sells brake drums . They are slightly different with a updated fin design for better cooling. I think it is the truck design. They look fine for all but the toughest concours class if your concerned about the look. 304-2603 is what they list in their catalog. I hope they still sell them. The best of luck with the search.
I purchased 2.5" drums about a year and a half ago from AutoZone. They are spec'd for a 64 Fairlane wagon and fit my 67 500 perfectly, got the brake hardware as well. Carl
