Aluminum front brake drums

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by gusszgs, Oct 12, 2017.

  1. gusszgs

    gusszgs Well-Known Member

    Hey all, just wondering if there is a aluminum front drum available for my '71 GS.......or if someone knows what drums in aluminum are compatible
     
  2. john.schaefer77

    john.schaefer77 Well-Known Member

    Your GS should of came with aluminum drums originally. You can use 67-72 drums (Buick only) they are on EBay sometimes. You can find someone here who may want to sell a set. I had.my set relined and they are like new.
     
  3. gusszgs

    gusszgs Well-Known Member

    Not sure about that John........I think most GS's came with cast fronts
     
  4. SpecialWagon65

    SpecialWagon65 Ted Nagel

    I asked about this earlier this year-for 68/69 GS350's were cast and the GS400 were the AL lined is what I understood.
    I'm a fan, have them on my 65 GS and 69GS350 - replaced cast iron.
     
  5. gusszgs

    gusszgs Well-Known Member

    Thanks Ted I believe the '69 ones will fit up to '72 A bodies but not 100% sure on that. Just looking at reducing a bit of rotational weight
     
  6. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    Our 68 gs400 came and still has the factory AL drums.

    You can find some for the rear from mid 80s gn and some s-10 trucks
     
  7. 69GS455

    69GS455 69 GS 400

    GS Fred has a set for sale. They are listed on the forum.
     
    DauntlessSB92 likes this.
  8. DBS

    DBS Well-Known Member

    Ditto for 70-72 also
     
  9. Premier 350

    Premier 350 Chris (aka Webby)

    How much better were the aluminium drums over the cast iron ones? A moot point for me, as I did a disc conversion a few years ago, but I'm curious.
     
  10. john.schaefer77

    john.schaefer77 Well-Known Member

    That is an interesting question. I know my aluminums stop very well, but never compared it to a cast iron replacement..
     
  11. DBS

    DBS Well-Known Member

    I was happy w/ the alum. on my sbb. Would be interesting to do a test of ea. on the same car, etc. Cold, distance would prob. be comparable, but alum wouldn't fade as quickly on repetitive stops. If nothing else it's an easy unsprung weight reduction.
     
    john.schaefer77 likes this.
  12. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    The issue with aluminum front drums or any used drum for that matter is the amount that they've been cut to. An aluminum front drum starts off at 9.500 inner diameter. At 9.565 they are maximum diameter. They can still be used but they are not able to be cut anymore. The cast iron ones are throwaways at that point. The aluminum ones can be re-lined and re-sized back to 9.500 but its costly. I think JB Relining gets close to $300 to restore an aluminum drum. I need to send mine in this winter as both of them are way oversize.
     
    john.schaefer77 likes this.
  13. john.schaefer77

    john.schaefer77 Well-Known Member

    I sent my set and the work they did was just incredible. They stop way nicer than before I sent them. Pretty quick also
     
  14. DBS

    DBS Well-Known Member

    I'll have to measure the pair I have set aside for a future build. Look thick - Have seen much thinner.
     
  15. john.schaefer77

    john.schaefer77 Well-Known Member

    I was able to buy a nice set from Mike Garrison a few years ago for a very good price, they needed to be cut but made the grade for min thickness. I also have some aluminum rear drums from a G body relined that I will be using (right after I had them relined they now make them new, cheaper!). I will report IF there is any difference....
     

Share This Page