9" or 10" drums...?

-
bighammer

bighammer

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Messages
2,389
Reaction score
143
Location
Northwest Oregon
Is there a way to determine which cars got what brakes? Was it for certain years or engine combos? My car is a '70 Dart, came from the factory with a 318 engine, would it have come with 10" brakes?

Thanks
 
Slants got 9 inchers, V8s got 10s. Discs were optional. Your '70 318 should have the 10 inch drums as standard equipment. Check the 5th digit of the VIN. If it is a G The car should have 10 inch brakes. Hope this helps...
 
QWKSLVR said:
Hi. From my understanding 6 cyl cars got 9" brakes while the v8 cars got the 10" brakes. Bobby
Click to expand...

This is my understanding, too. One could order 10" brakes (HD brakes) on a /6 car. IIRC disk brakes on the front would put the larger drums on the rear axle. The best way to tell is to run down the build sheet to determine what was installed at the factory. However, if the car has been in the hands of someone like a FABO member, anything could be on the car. (lol)
 
I'd have to measure them again but I could swear the drum brakes I just took off the front of our slant six dart were 10" drums.
 
abodyjoe said:
I'd have to measure them again but I could swear the drum brakes I just took off the front of our slant six dart were 10" drums.
Click to expand...

A slant 6 car could be ordered with 10 inch brakes. 9 inch was standard.
 
2 Darts said:
This is my understanding, too. One could order 10" brakes (HD brakes) on a /6 car. IIRC disk brakes on the front would put the larger drums on the rear axle. The best way to tell is to run down the build sheet to determine what was installed at the factory. However, if the car has been in the hands of someone like a FABO member, anything could be on the car. (lol)
Click to expand...

Truer words were never spake by man nor beast...
 
I just got a 65 valiant 200 - 225 4speed , I measured my back drums at 9 inches on the inside , ( sorry I am new to this ) is that where you take the measurement ?
 
people were brave back then... who needs to stop quick anyway!!??? LOL
also remember, these cars are 40-50 years old. someone can always have changed over rearends, brakes, you name it.
I habe a 65 cuda, originally a 273 car, car with 9 in drums and a 7 3/4.....
 
barbee6043 said:
people were brave back then... who needs to stop quick anyway!!??? LOL
also remember, these cars are 40-50 years old. someone can always have changed over rearends, brakes, you name it.
I habe a 65 cuda, originally a 273 car, car with 9 in drums and a 7 3/4.....
Click to expand...


No need to stop except for gas back then. It was all about go (and go the cheapest I guess). Then too, nobody in their right minds would ever swap in smaller drum brakes on a street car, would they?#-o

9" X 2-1/2" front drums and 10" X 1-3/4" rear drums (8-3/4" diff) were on my Barracuda 383 "S" from the factory.
BH29H9B
 
As far as telling what is on it now, the spindles on 9" and 10" brakes look totally different. The 9" has a goose-neck that comes in from the front or back (forget), not centered like in the 10" spindle. The wheel bearings are also smaller in 9" hubs, so the dust shield will also be. If you have the drum exposes, they should all have the max ID stamped in them, like "10.030 in max" or such. The size designator is the ID of the drum.

9" drums actually do stop a car fine. I had those on my 69 Dart for decades and never had trouble stopping. Of course I never tail-gate and am smart enough not to rely on brakes going down mountain roads. For those who drive aggressively and/or stupidly, bigger brakes can help, though smart always wins in the end. There are many cars and motorcycles with big brakes at the bottom of ravines off the Angeles Crest Hwy. We sometimes find their bodies decades later.
 
My 68 barracuda has a 318 with 10 inch brakes drums front and rear and 7 1/4 rear end.
That year the 6's came standard with 9 inch drum all around.
The v8s came with standard 10in. all around. Both having discs up front had 10 in. drums in the back according to the sales info pamphlet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top