Mid 70's rear brakes on a '67 - upgrade

[stomper]

For the 2nd time in 6 months, the rear brakes on my 67 are giving me trouble. (Locked up. Probably lost a brake cylinder. Adjuster seems to be acting up.) This time, I figured I'd pick up a 73-87 4x4 rear axle and swap the brakes over for the wider shoes. I was told it's out of a 76 blazer. I really just need the backing plate but I'll see if I can use the hardware and drums without buying new. New shoes of course. 6 lug pattern on the drums will match my existing '67 axles. I need to take one axle out to replace a broken stud anyway, change fluid for piece of mind, confirm 3.73 gear ratio. Might even upgrade all the 7/16 studs to 1/2 as I now have 1/2 on my upgraded 6 lug discs in the front. I know the front brakes do most of the stopping but what the heck. I think this is going to work?

[68Gold/white]

I have some head knowledge of Chevy. I sold parts from 1985-1998. I have a Wagner brake parts book in front of me. Much of it, I knew, but looked, for you, to make sure. 74-80 4X4 Blazers used the wider 2-3/4X11-5/32 shoes (same as the wider shoes on pickups), BUT the 4X2 Blazers used the 11X2 shoes.

You have to use the wider back plates, shoes and drums together, these cannot be interchanges with the 11X2 stuff. THe hardware (return and hold down springs )are all the same. The wheel cylinders are different, only if the GVW was 5.8, 6.2 or 6.3 thousand pounds, other wise are same.

[stomper]

Sweet! Thanks Gold. Sounds like I'm golden! I'll pay close attention when I get new cylinders. Also, these appear to be the wider shoes.

[TBohne]

Rockauto has all the hardware-springs, clips, keepers, etc. for very cheap. I replaced everything, its also ac-delco parts.

[68Gold/white]

Stomper, Glad to hear you have 6 lug disc on front. Only way to go, some folks are good with front drum, I AM NOT...It's still a free country....
If you've got 1/2 inch studs on front, I'd surely put them on the rear also.

Check the fit out your existing wheels against the face of that larger drum. There's a ridge around the outer most diameter of the drum that sticks out further than the surface of the drum, where the drum and wheel are bolted together...

[stomper]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Stomper, Glad to hear you have 6 lug disc on front. Only way to go, some folks are good with front drum, I AM NOT...It's still a free country....
If you've got 1/2 inch studs on front, I'd surely put them on the rear also.

Check the fit out your existing wheels against the face of that larger drum. There's a ridge around the outer most diameter of the drum that sticks out further than the surface of the drum, where the drum and wheel are bolted together...

Gold, I noticed the lip on the drums. Good idea to check the fit! I need to space the wheels out 1/2" anyway if it's a problem.

[SCOTI]

15" wheels w/deeper than stock back-spacing (>4") have clearance issues w/the HD 2.75w brake set-ups because of the drum casting. Larger diameter wheels typically clear just fine.

[stomper]

I will know soon enough but would the axles out of the 75 rear fit the 67? One of mine is pitted a bit.

[lolife99]

Your 67 axles are narrower/shorter than the 75 axles.

[stomper]

I think this is an '82 2.73 rear?

453798 17 47 GM 10 82

...best I can tell