Upgrading rear brakes on a BE

[Jim_Gruber]

I got a chance to visit Tim Bosse's BE Project this morning in Kettering, OH about 4-5 miles from. He's in the process of upgrading rear end on his BE to later backing plates. However it appears that when using later backing plates on a BE Axle the wheel cylinder will not sit horizontally like on a 1/2 elliptic spring axle. The bleeder valve will sit below the top of the wheel cylinder it appears. Does this pose any issue in bleeding rear brakes. Is there a trick here we need to know about as I will be going down this same route in a few months. Here's a picture of where he is at this morning. Tricks gentlemen. Thanks.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

That is the way mine are. Everything bled fine. E-brake rods need a little modification and the drums need a little removed from the edge. Other than that. It works fine.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Thanks Trevor,

Tim had some later rods off of a 1/2 elliptical axle that he thought were going to fit but I believe the angle is wrong and he will need to cut and thread and use a double ended whatchamacallit thingy to join the ends together. I've got to get going on Bugsy II as he's moving along far faster than me on a '59 shell that is a roller and a runner once brakes are sorted. He's planning on selling that tub and transferring all of the running gear and good parts over to Bugsy III once it gets picked up from my cottage. It does help his progress as he's got heat in his garage and it stays at 50 degrees. Thanks.

 

[nomad]

When the pistons in the brake cylinder are all the way in there is very little space between them. I, like Trevor, never had a problem. E brake rod's have to be modified and you may want to grind a bit off the head's of the wheel stud's since they may contact the seal on the brake cylinders.

Kurt.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Kurt,

Thanks as well. I just wish I had heat out there but temps to 50 and Sunny today, same temps but rain tomorrow, snow will be gone by tomorrow.

41 DAYS UNTIL SPRING BOYS! Now if I just had a BE Ready to go.

 

[anarchy99]

As a side option, the rear axle from a 63 belair can be narrowed enough to provide big rear drum brakes... And it will fit under the rear.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Yes any I really need that with all 65 horses. Discs up front will work for me along with upgraded rear wheel cylinders.