TonyB.96LT4

Anyone have a source for racing brake shoe springs for a 56? Can get stock kits but need heavy duty kits for front and rear.

Thanks

Frankie the Fink

I've never heard of these - I only see regular springs in kits....
If Tom Parsons (DZAuto) doesn't know of them, then nobody does.

The drum brakes on these cars are basically station wagon brakes anyway (overkill) so I'm interested to hear about "heavy duty"/racing springs...

jim lockwood

Early in the development of the RPO suspension/brake package for racing, engineers discovered the extra heat generated by repetitive braking would cause the pull-back springs to lose their temper i.e. they stopped being springs. Special springs which could withstand high temperatures had to be developed. I'm pretty sure this is what the OP is seeking.

Jim

Todd H.

The option package included segmented wider shoes, vented backing plates, interior fans, finned drums, and special heavy duty springs. A variety of air ducting helped supply extra air for cooling. They worked very well for racing, not great for everyday driving.

I see fans, shoes, and vented backing plates on eBay. No springs. Frank's right... Tom will know if anyone does about where to get them, or what other spring is exactly the same. I might have some, but they would be used.

TonyB.96LT4

Yes, exactly! Any sources out there for those spring sets?

MikeM

GM discontinued decades ago.

Frankie the Fink

I know about the "elephant ears" and other "big brake" stuff - I just didn't know the springs were different..

Dr L-88

I may have some NOS sets. I'll check as soon as I can.

Rex

DZAUTO

As mentioned, the heavy duty springs that were included in the RPO brake option were discontinued long ago. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, there are no aftermarket replacement HD spring available-----------------------or I'd have them on the 56!!!!
With that said, unless a person is participating in SERIOUS, extended road racing, then the only choice is a set of good, replacement, regular springs.
BUUUUUUUUUUUUT, if anyone should come up with some acceptable replacement HD springs, be sure to pass along the information------------------------'cause I'll buy some!

A few years ago, I added self adjusting brake kits to the 56. I used the springs that came with the kits and so far, they seem to be fine. Although, I haven't been doing any long duration road racing either.

TonyB.96LT4

thanks for your help.

davekp78

Can you tell what is needed to make the brakes self-adjusting?
Thanks!

DZAUTO

Dave,
In 1963, Chevrolet added self adjusting brakes. The 51-58 cars and Corvettes used the same size drums on all 4 wheels. In 59, PASSENGER CARS ONLY, got larger, 3in FRONT drums and self adjusters were added in 63. Since the REAR drums of the 63-64 cars were the same size as ALL 4 53-62 Corvette drums, then the REAR self adjusting parts for 63-64 Chevys are what is needed for all 4 wheels on a 53-62 Corvette.
From your local, friendly parts store (O'Rielly, NAPA, etc), you can buy a self adjusting kit for the REAR, remember, REAR, of a 63-64 pass car. Two kits are needed (a kit contains parts for one left and one right wheel), PLUS, a spring kit is needed (the self adjusting kits do not contain all the needed springs). ALSO, it will be necessary to round up 4 THIN retainers for the anchor pins (or grind down the stock, thick retainers to fit).

ghostrider20

DZAUTO

Actually, beginning in 59, there were 3 different types of brakes, and 3 different levels of pull back springs.
There was the standard drum brakes which used the regular run of the mill springs. For 57-62, there was the Heavy Duty brake and suspension pkg, which included heavy duty springs. But, In 59, a third brake option became available, metallic brakes which had even different springs from the standard brakes and the HD brakes.
Thus, for 59-62 cars, there was the std brake setup, metallic brakes (still used the std NON-finned drums) and the HD brakes with finned drums.

jim lockwood

Tony,
Do you want the hi-temp springs to complete an all-original big brake set-up? Or are you looking for similar function so you can vintage race your C1?
Jim

63 340HP

The guys at Musclecar brakes in Texas (formally Praise Dyno Brakes) list heavier springs in their kits (31# springs, maybe an improvement, possibly just hype).

http://musclecarbrakes.com/bib5170chevy.html

I have run the PDB shoes and spring kits in my 63's drums since 2004. I occasionally ran the tracks at Willow Springs the first few years with the shoes and springs, with the "streets" track taxing the brakes the most, with no fade and no spring problems. Since them I have had no problems except with a wheel cylinder that suffered a frozen bleeder that my son broke off. When I taught my son how to replace the rear wheel cylinders three years ago, the springs remained strong (a Bear to install).

phil jr

I have the green pull back springs NOS used on the 684 brakes Phil 516-680-6711

TonyB.96LT4

Not looking for original stuff as the car is not NCRS so similar function would be great.

Thanks

jim lockwood

Well, reason I posed the question is that I think it's possible that modern over-the-counter pull back springs will survive the rigors of road racing.

Why do I believe that? Glad you asked.

There have been a lot of C1 Vettes involved in vintage road racing and out here on the left coast they are constrained to run drum brakes. Where do they get their parts? The brake drums are made of unobtanium as are all of the rest of the bits of the early HD brakes. I know what they do for drums and I gotta hunch the pull back springs they use come from the same place..... the FLAPS near them. It's what's available.

So, new question: Do you have any reason to believe that modern replacement pull-back springs would NOT work in your application?

Jim

DZAUTO

I made my own, for a LOT LESS $$$$.