Brake shoes on 48 Pontiac

[Jim Anselmo]

I'm trying to get the brakes back together on my Pontaic, but am unsure which shoe goes on the front and which goes on the rear of the wheel. Everything came to me in a box and there was a new set of shoes. The pad length is the same on all the shoes, but two of them have wider pads then the other two. Can someone tell me which shoe is which?

Thanks,

Jim

[PONTIAC1953]

hi jim, you should have two pairs of narrow shoes for the rear brakes, and two pairs of wider shoes for the front brakes. i'm not home where my pontiac library is. charles coker, 1953 pontiac tech advisor.

[Jim Anselmo]

Thanks, I wonder if I didn't get everything as there are only 2 pairs of new shoes. I figured they were bought for either the front or rear of the car. I do have the old shoes as well. Guess I need to be making a trip to the parts store.

[Guest 47torpedo]

Guess I need to be making a trip to the parts store.

Hey, I'm a new member. I just got a 47 Torpedo. It had one rear and one front brake/wheel LOCKED solid. I got the rear one broken loose (2 hr ordeal) but the front one is totally froze up. I could definitely use some help with suggestions. I sprayed it real good with penetrant and I'm letting it sit. I put heat all over the drum to try to break the bond between shoe and drum. I was ably to free up the 3 o'clock cam adjuster but the big 12 o'clock one is still frozen. Any tricks? The car is all there and really pretty solid but has been sitting outside since about '65... so I'm told. And Jim, where is the PARTS STORE for a 47 Pontiac? Thanks in advance to all!!

[Jim Anselmo]

Not sure yet on a local parts store, but here is a place to start....

Pontiac Parts and Pontiac Auto Parts - California Pontiac Restoration

Jim

[Guest 47torpedo]

Thanks Jim. I didn't have alot of success via that site but looks like I may be coming into a whole extra parts car. Talked to a guy who put a 41 body onto a late model chasis. He's ready to unload the Pontiac stuff so I'm taking a truck this Tuesday to load up. Let me know if you are looking for anything. Bill

ps. not sure how to attach pics yet but I took pictures of my brakes before I dissassembled them...

[Jim Anselmo]

I'm sure you can have the shoes relined if needed. I am in the market for a passenger side front shock if you end up with an extra.

Thanks,

Jim

[Guest 47torpedo]

I'm sure you can have the shoes relined if needed. I am in the market for a passenger side front shock if you end up with an extra.

Thanks,

Jim

Well Jim the deal didn't go as I expected. The guy had taken the body and put in on a Dodge Dakota chasis (I know... sorry to ruin your day). And he had already junked the chasis, therefore the shocks. But I did get the engine, trans, drive shaft, pedal linkages, brake drums, etc. All things I need for $250. I've already had the engine fired up on ether on the floor. I'm gonna order a Carter WA-1 kit today.

As for the brakes... I ordered kits for the wheel cylinders and master cylinder and I've located shoes via ebay. I may have to try to match up the hardware, not sure about that yet. I have realized that all four drums are the same. Only the fronts have the bearing spindle held in by the wheel studs which, by the way, are different on the front than the rear. The front studs have a slightly longer splined collar which reaches through the spindle to grab and center the front drum on the spindle. Nearly all of my studs broke at dissassembly. Gotta locate them as well.

I'll keep my eyes open for your front pass shock. I need to locate a radiator and need to buy a 6v battery. (amongs MANY other things)

Bill

[Jim Anselmo]

Nice score on the engine and thanks for the leads on shocks. I'm going to rummage around a local "antique" wrecking yard here in town and see if I can't find something. They are pretty good about turning you loose and letting you search the yard for items. Problem is it may take a whole day!

Jim