First, thanks guys for the rearend help. Im running manual drums on all 4 corners. The rears are huge 13" from the caprice. they are new and working fine. Its time to refresh the front and i need some opinions about running aluminum drums for weight purpose or go with the steel. This is a weekend warrior and cruise nights only. I have a .628 roller cam and dont feel like messing with power brake problems at idle. nor vacuum reserve canisters. Anyway, steel or aluminum? My budget wont allow a rotor conversion this year. Thanks

If I remember correctly the Buick GS had Alum. drums. I do remember the iron liners spinninig under hard use. I would save the $$ for a disc change.

I didn't realize that they made front Al. But I would definately agree that you whould be best to stay with the steel and save any $$ for the discs. Good to see another WNYer here. Welcome graemlins/waving.gif

Originally posted by airrj:
I didn't realize that they made front Al. Early GTO's used front aluminum drums. Good luck finding a set of those!

Early G-bodies used rear aluminum drums and I'm wondering if they would fit up front :confused:

Joe

I belive the front is wider than the G rear drum. You can use the G drum on the rear but the center hole must be opened up slightly to fit over the axle.

hey thanks guys for the info. what i was originally thinking was a friend of mine has a late 80's camero with aluminum drums in the rear. It has the same bolt pattern and diameter as on the front of my 72. 4,1/2 and 11" i think. My car originally came with the straight six and powerglide. not much much stopping power needed thus the smaller drums in the front. iv done some research, and a front rotor conversion will cost me around $600 new. Will other used knuckles and spindles fit on here from another Abody? Can i still run a manual master cylinder with front rotors? keep in mind the roller .628 small block. Thanks

Originally posted by Mattystaxx:
a friend of mine has a late 80's camero with aluminum drums in the rear. It has the same bolt pattern and diameter as on the front of my 72. 4,1/2 and 11" i think. Stock should be 9.5". Yep, pretty pathetic for brakes :(

Bill C. has done the '73-'77 Elky A-body rear 11" drum swap on his Nova I do believe. You might want to search under his username BC to find out the details.

Good luck,
Joe

front brakes are usually 3" wide and the rear are usually 2" or so and the rear drums won't work on the front.

ok.. steel it is. thanks for the help guys. im off to autozone

Take a look and see if there are any '65 - '70 Big Buicks there. They used aluminum 4-wheel drums that were huge (12 & 13") and rivalled the disk brakes of the day. Sorry, I don't know any specifics about spindles & such concerning the swap.

Drum Brakes ....... something you may want to consider .... call John at Praise Dyno Brakes 972-635-2722... they have upgrade kits for drum brake cars that WORK .......since you have the rears sorted out you may find that oversized wheel cylinders and their Cryogenic drums for the front are all you need ...... check Classic Muscle at Modern Chevrolet for price on those Alum front drums $$$$.....I did alot of research when deciding onbrakes for my 66 resto and went with Dyno Brakes Stage111 4 wheel drum kit