50 chevy 4400 series parts ?????

[jerry moss]

customer bought a restored 50 chevy 4400 series flatbed and brought it in to figure out why the brakes aren't working right, we pulled the wheels and drums and some idiot had gutted the front brakes, no shoes, wheel cylinders or hardware, at least they plugged the hoses AND they turned the drums. i spent a few hours online and the phone looking for parts, the only thing i came up with was a master cylinder, hoses and rear wheel cylinder kits. i called a couple of buddies of mine and they both have old trucks so it looks like we might get lucky and get the parts we are missing then all we need to do is send the shoes to be re-lined and the front cylinders to be sleeved, hopefully the hardware will be useable. it seems none of the old chevy suppliers have parts for the 1 1/2 ton trucks. anyone know of a supplier for the bigger old trucks ?

[dsraven]

dunno about the larger trucks but I have sourced a lot of brake parts from napa on the 1/2 tons. likely not gonna have much luck on the larger trucks unless maybe a dealer thats been around forever in a farming community has some new old stock parts on a shelf. sometimes a trip to the big truck brake and clutch guys can be surprising if you find the right guy. maybe something from a newer truck will work

[mr48chev]

This pfd page from the GM Heritahe center vehicle information kit shows the specs on the brakes when you get in the right column. That came from this link. https://www.gm.com/content/dam/compa...olet-Truck.pdf that you get from this link that shows most years of Chevys to choose from. https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive/...formation-kits

14 x 2 front shoes 1-1/4 bore wheel cylinders.

Best hope is that one of the folks on here is pulling the cab off a 4000 series that has front brakes in reasonable rebuildable shape that they could box up and send to you. Most of the time those chassis get left behind when the cab gets pulled though.

[leegreen]

it looks like some of it is still out there, if they have stock behind the links

wheel cylinder
https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail...152_34ton.html

shoes (but you need a core)
https://oldchevytrucks.com/meb514.html

springs
https://oldchevytrucks.com/meb147.html

[jerry moss]

thank you to all that replied, I found a donor truck and we can have the complete front axle from wheel to wheel so hopefully it'll have the parts we are missing and we will be able to send the shoes and cylinders out to be rebuilt. we are keeping our fingers crossed that everything is there we need.

[mr48chev]

Sounds Good.

[jerry moss]

my boss went and picked up the complete front axle today, now we need to send the shoes out to have new linings installed but all needed hardware is there and in good condition, wheel cylinders, master cylinder and seals are ordered. thanks again for your help.

[1project2many]

That's really cool. It must be nice to live where it takes 100 years for stuff to rust so bad it's unusable.

Often I find old parts by looking up old GM or aftermarket part numbers then hitting Google. It can take hours but there are companies that have buildings full of NOS parts, often listed by part no., but they have no idea what the original application is.

[jerry moss]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

That's really cool. It must be nice to live where it takes 100 years for stuff to rust so bad it's unusable.

Often I find old parts by looking up old GM or aftermarket part numbers then hitting Google. It can take hours but there are companies that have buildings full of NOS parts, often listed by part no., but they have no idea what the original application is.

the gentleman that gave it to us owns several tow yards and he towed this truck in over 30 years ago because he wanted the flatbed that was on it. after removing the bed it was shuffled out to the back of the yard- it was grown over with weeds and brush but is in very good condition, he plans to turn the front clip into wall art now that is back from the dead.

[dsraven]

being a big fender truck there is less call for the fenders so wall art would be a good use I guess, but the cab.....a different story if it is in good shape and has a title. lots of 1/2 tons are driving around with a big truck cab and regular sized fenders etc.