Another BrakeQ.I know this has been asked before, but can you give me a list of parts and the modifications necessary to put '53-56 F-100 brakes on early Ford spindles?Kenny MooreVia the Internet
A.This is the brake swap that just won't die, so here it goes one more time.
To install F-100 brakes on early Ford spindles you'll need drums, hubs, and complete backing plate assemblies from a pickup. In addition, new inner bearings, Timken number 14116, and Victor 49195 or National 450461 grease seals will be required. The stock F-100 inner races are retained, and early Fords and F-100s use the same outer bearings and races, so that keeps things simple. In order for the F-100 backing plates to fit, some grinding will be necessary on the tops of the spindles for wheel cylinder clearance.
While this swap is simple, there is a minor glitch that crops up with the inner wheel bearings. (Just as general information, all tapered wheel bearings use standardized part numbers, which means a specific bearing will have the same part number regardless of who made it, although the maker may add a prefix to the number). Some years ago, many of the bearing manufacturers consolidated part numbers, in other words they attempted to cut down inventory and have fewer bearings cover more applications. As a result, in some cases the radius on the inside of the inner race of the replacement bearings may not fit the base of the spindles properly. Frankly I'm not sure if this is due to a difference in spindles or bearings, but the point is the inner bearing may not slide all the way onto the spindle and bottom out against the base as it should, so check the bearings' fit before installing them in the hubs.
If the bearings don't seat as they should, the cure is fairly simple. Wrap the bearing in duct tape, leaving only the inner radius exposed. Then, using a handheld grinder with a stone or burr, reshape the inside of the races ever so slightly. Clean them up and check the fit. Once they go on and bottom out on the spindle as they should, clean them thoroughly before packing them with grease.