Saturday, April 5, 2014

Beware the Sledgehammering Amateur


Well, that was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Unfortunately, it was also a lot easier to ruin the hub with the small sledgehammer I was using to drive the studs out, as you can see with the hub in the foreground. Don't know what the heck I was thinking. Didn't even notice it until afterwards. Maybe the wife is right when she calls me "Bam-Bam."

In addition to that little example of amateur genius, you'll notice that the studs are still sticking through the backing ring on the left. That's because they had been welded to the ring. No idea why. I was also reminded what happened when I originally tried to have all the drums turned. Not enough material left to turn on the right front, and one of the rears was warped (according to the shop guy). Which is why I figured all four should be replaced. And because I wasn't being careful with the sledgehammer, now I need the hubs too. I know we'll be able to find them somewhere, just a matter of making it fit within the budget...


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Gettin' There...

Just ordered up the front bed panel and rear stake pockets. Hopefully by next weekend or shortly after we'll finally be putting the bed back together. Today I'll be attempting to separate the hubs from the old front drums in case I have to order new ones, which won't come with the hub. Just remembered we need all the front bearings too. Should be able to find those locally... This thing WILL be rolling soon!


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Thursday, April 3, 2014

Brake Drum Bingo

On the hunt for brake drums today. The rears should be pretty easy, but the fronts could be a different story. Nothing on eBay, and a junk yard over in Brewster NY that specializes in really old stuff couldn't help me. Just found new ones for $120 bucks each (plus shipping, of course) and not even sure if that's with the hub, which attaches to the front drums on the 49's. Apparently for '50 and beyond they changed to a different kind of brakes. Guess I'll need to start looking to see if a conversion to discs for the front is possible given my limited budget, but I'd really rather just put drums on and drive this thing... Suggestions welcome!


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