So we have been fighting this issue for months now...

69 442 non posi, rear brake drums getting very hot....after driving 35-40 miles, right side ( pass side ) brake drums and wheel rim getting over 250 degrees....backing plates cool to the touch....both sides getting hot, but pass side is worse and has reached almost 400 degrees

So here is what we have done to try to eliminate the issue, but to no avail...
Changed to new wheel cylinders
Installed new spring kits and lubricated the adjusters on both sides.
Even with adjusters closed in, and no shoe / drum pressure, still gets hot
Installed new brake shoes.....correctly installed
Had the drums turned...plenty of meat left on them
Changed rubber brake hose from main line to rear..
Flushed entire brake system and put in new fluid
Checked the e-brake cables to make sure they were working properly...yes they are
Even pulled the axle and had new bearing installed, and checked for straightness.
Axle grease levels are fine.
Temperature at bearing surface on rear housing is cool to the touch
Center pumpkin and axle tubes not getting hot
When on jack stands, spinning wheel appears straight. Does not have any signs of shoes dragging or scarring the drum

Looking for any suggestions or if anyone has experienced this and what was the cure.
Going crazy trying to figure this out.....I know it will be something really stupid!

Thanks for any and all input....
tim

 

Try replacing the rubber brake hose between the frame and differential housing. The inside can deteriorate and allow brake fluid to pass, but gets trapped when brakes are released. I had this happen on my Toronado brakes.
It does sound like your brakes on the rear are not releasing. Good luck

 

Thanks for the suggestion....
I forgot to list that as something we had already done....
edited the list.....
thanks

 

Are the brakes dragging?

 

might replace the proportioning valve near the front wheel.

 

Was going to suggest this, but you're on top of it already. This bit me one night back in '80 on my '68 Cutlass. The bearing had seized on the driver side rear. The drum was glowing dull red by the time I got home from work - a 15 minute drive. Couldn't get the drum off until the next morning, after it all cooled off overnight. Thankfully no damage to the axle shaft, brakes, or shaft housing!

 

Does the brake adjustment get tight? Are the brakes dragging (oldcutlass)?

Any chance the adjuster wheels/stars were swapped L to R?

Good luck!!!

 

Agreed. How are the springs? Are they loose? Sure sounds like there is some drag somewhere.