Urgent- which drum should I use? Orig. or new for a '68 Fairlane

[nickinator]

In the middle of doing front drum brakes on my son's '70 Mach 1 351 C 4v, and a friend has a set of new drums/backing plates/spindles and hubs for a '68 Fairlane that he'll sell me for $40.

He said they are the same, but they are not:

Spindles- are much lighter weight, Mustang ones are beefier, so decided not to use those.

Hub- also not as big, decided not to use those.

Backing plate- looks the same. We used those.

Drums- this is the dilemma-
the orig. OE Mustang drums are heavier duty (see pics of orange drum) but need to be be turned. The new (Brazil made?) Fairlane ones are much lighter weight. Inside diameter is same - 10". Height is taller on the Mustang ones.

Will we have issues using the newer, but lighter weight drums? I'm assuming the heavier duty ones with lots of fins are for dissipating heat? Not sure what that piece of metal is on the top is for-? Also, since we have not tried them yet, wonder if the shoes will have any issues, tho' with the same 10" inside diameter they shouldn't right? Anyone have any opinions on this?

Thx!
Darcie

[horsehead]

As long as the diameter is the same--the braking surface inside the drum is the same width i don't see why you couldn't use them. Put them on there to see if you have any backing plate rubbing issues. Also the piece of metal on the orange one is a balance weight.

[gman]

The lighter drums with work, they however will not give you the same braking as the older heavier drums. Either why you shouldn't switch drums without having them turned and the liners replaced. The liner or shoe needs to sit sqaurly on the drum or you don't get the full amount of braking power. Brakes are not the place to be trying to save a buck. Are drum brakes bad, no, I have drums all the way around my 65 and it stops just fine. I have replaced old cracked brake lines, had my drums turned. I also opted to use a high qauilty brake shoe made by carbotech. They were costly but well worth the money.

[nickinator]

The Fairlane drums are new so shouldn't need turning. The backing plates are also off the Fairlane, so should match up fine. Guess I am still unsure of which ones to use...

[Ol'Paint]

I think those drums may be for different width shoes.

[nickinator]

We have the Fairlane backing plates on, so those backing plates -with shoes- should work no problem with the Fairlane drums, but if we go back to the Mustang ones...I would have more concerns about those matching up.

[22GT]

Typically, the Fairlane and Mustang used the same spindles and brakes, but the year matters. The 67-69 Mustang used 66 Fairlane spindles, but in 70 the Mustang (and Fairlane) spindle got more beef, due to the success of the 69 BOSS 302 spindles.

[nickinator]

Originally Posted by 22GT

Typically, the Fairlane and Mustang used the same spindles and brakes, but the year matters. The 67-69 Mustang used 66 Fairlane spindles, but in 70 the Mustang (and Fairlane) spindle got more beef, due to the success of the 69 BOSS 302 spindles.

So do you think it's OK to use the lighter weight Fairlane drums? Don't want to sacrifice stopping ability. Money wasn't so much the issue as everything was new and ready to go...

[Ol'Paint]

Put the Fairlane parts on and try it out. Save the Mustang parts so you can switch back in the future.

[nickinator]

That's what I think we'll do. Thx everyone!