I was just perusing through a Super Chevy, and caught an ad for upgrading rear drum brakes using "2 inch sintered metallic shoes". Damn if the drums pictured don't look just like my current front drum brakes.

I know the fronts are wider than the back...and if I just put the front drums on the back, they'd probably rub the backing plate...but since I'm about to replace my front drums w/discs, will my front backing plates bolt on in place of the current rear backing plates?

I recently changed all the hardware front and back, and it appeared the only differnces were, the wider shoes in front, and the parking brake actuator in the rear. It's likely too good to be true that I could simply move the appropriate hardware from the front to the back when I change to front discs, and in the process "easily" upgrade both front AND rear with old stock parts. Someone show me where this plan falls apart.

SKIP

I am pretty sure the front backing plates wont work on the rear. What you could to is get some rear brakes from a mid seventies Malibu Classic that would have 11 inch rear brakes, the backing plates bolt right up to the rear end housing.

I agree with Leo, the easiest rear drum upgrade is to find a 76 or 77ish A-body like a Malibu or Monte in the junk yard and get the backing plates. These are the larger 11" rear drums and work great with your stock MC, booster, and all. You can get everything else new from the parts store if you can't find one with decent wheel cylinders, shoes, or even drums. Just make sure you don't get too much rear braking and are able to lock them up first!

Good luck,
Bill C.

You can't just swap the fronts onto the rear as the axle flange to backing plate measurement is set in stone..er..cast iron.Changing that would be cost prohibitive.
Look for 73 to 77 Chev Buick pont Olds A- body wagons and 73 - 77 Monte Carlo and Pont Grand Prix for 11 inch rear brake donor cars.

Thanks everyone. Mid 70s A-body stuff it is then! What a great forum...I knew I'd get a straight answer here.

Thanks,

SKIP