I could use a few pairs of rear brake drums for the 70-72 Vista Cruisers.These are the wider 2.5" shoe,and are not the same as the regular Cutlass/442 or flat top wagon.As long as they have plenty of meat left to be turned,and are not all pitted & cratered,they should be fine.

 

I have a decent set here on Long Island Brian! They weigh something like 18lbs each though! Could cost to ship? $35+shipping...I can get pics this weekend...

 

Sounds good.Keep me posted.

 

Will do...I'll take a measurement on how much "meat" left also!

 

Napa has the brake drums available from their warehouse, part number 440-1022. If you cannot get them there you could then cross their number at another parts supplier. They list for $86.10 each, wholesale, cheaper.

 

I have been able to get a lot of odd things from NAPA,but the drums were a no-go.It's been awhile,but I don't remember if they had them catagorized wrong or what.The wheel cylinders were a fiasco to get,but I was able to get them.I'll try that number,and see if it is what I already had before.

 

Brian, you can get new drums from Rock Auto...that's where I got mine. $44 each...$20 to ship...I offered my used set to you because I figured you wanted to save money...also, rear wheel cyls from Davesdiscountauto.com...#18E621 $70.12 for a pair...free shipping! By the way, the drums are a Centric part...I believe the # is 122.62005.

 

I would still be interested in your used drums.The purists like the originals.I have a few pairs of the Vista backing plates,but not enough drums.You can put these on regular Cutlass rears,and any other GM rear that has the same flange,and still keep a stock look.

 

Am I able to convert my 2" rear brakes to the 2.5" by changing the backing plates and then installing the shoes, drums and hardware kit?

 

Yes.I have done this for a few rears that I built.Another brake option,is the mid-70's A-body 11" rear drums.These have an 11"x2" shoe,so it's the same width as what you have now,but larger diamater.Same installation procedure.You need the backing plates,different wheel cylinders,and the drums.I am pretty sure the 11" drums will clear everything behind a stock 14" wheel,but not 100% sure.I only built the rear,so I did not install it,nor do I know what the person had for wheels.I don't have any other 11" backinmg plates,to try that again though.
All of these different brakes/backing plates,from the same era,have the same bolt pattern flange on the axle.The fullsize cars had something different.

 

Yes you can and yes they do clear the 14" wheels. Ironically, the two options (9.5 x 2.5 and 11 x 2) have virtually the same swept area (70 in^2 for the former, 69 in^2 for the latter). I'd still go with the 11" brakes for the longer lever arm and thus more braking torque for a given wheel cylinder pressure.

 

Good to know.I think all of the 11" set-ups I found,were under mid-70's Gran Prix's,and I'm not sure what other cars could have come with them.They were an option,so not all of those cars had them.

 

i have a brand new set of aftermarket drums from a 71 vista.they were installed last summer and really never driven. currently parting this car.
if i can help send a pm or call.
john @847-508-5090

 

the drums on the rear of a vista are the same as any front drum on a drum brake car.
just a quick note of interest, so are the shoes, 2.5

 

I've found the 11" drums under 1976-77 Cutlass's. John

 

John, I think you may be mistaken. Fronts are 2", as are rears....except the vista. Fronts are 2", rears are 2 1/2".....obviously I am talking A-Body cars...

 

Yes, just make sure you get vista wheel cyls...they have a larger bore(1"), I believe the fronts and rears on non-vistas are 7/8"....also, with the wider shoe, you need the longer pins.....

 

The fronts are not the same.

 

If you wnat NEW ---- CORRECT ----- Rear Brake Drums & Rear Wheel Cylinders -- give me a call -- I'm at the library to use computer -- and have to confess I don't know their part numbers off the top of my head.....
S/W Rear Drums were -- of course, as you know, wider.......

Best to call me -- Craig -- 516 - 485 - 1935... New York....

 

New Correct? What makes them correct? By the way, S/W weren't wider, as you know, only the Vista Cruiser's were.....