What other backing plates can I use on 1957 ford 9 inch?

I am missing the backing Plates for my 1957 ford 9 inch rear end. What other ones will work? I see them on ebay with drums for $300.00! I would like to spend less!

 

Large or small bearing?

 

I have 60-64 backing plates and drums on 57-59 rearends in the past, either the big or small brg depending on your rear.

 

Large bearing

 

49 to about 60 Ford pick ups will work but you have to use Ranchero/station wagon drums. I welded up the stud holes and the pilot then used truck drums with 5 on 5 1/2

 

I found that the spacing between the housing flange and axle flange changed in 1967. I was able to use 1966 Galaxie brakes on my '59 housing; the '67 Mustang brakes I had from the previous axle wouldn't fit. Note that these were the more-common small bearing axles.

 

I like to use the 65 - 66 Ford Galaxy station wagon backing plates and drums ... NAPA has everything NEW except the backing plates ...

 

are they 11 in or 12 anybody have a diameter of hole size I have some 11 in mid 60's that I bought as 12 in and cant use them
Ken

 

We used to use 28 spline 57 to 59 pass car rears to replace 8" rears in 65 to 69 small block Mustangs. We would remove the axles drums and hang the backing plates swap the rears and reinstall the Mustang brakes and axles didn't even have to bleed the brakes. I can't remember what the odd ball U-joint was we used.

 

When swapping backing plates, be careful of what drums you use. There are different offsets to the backing plates that accomodated different brake shoe widths.

 

I used 66 Fairlane 8 inch diff backing plates and drums on my 59 9 inch. If I remember correctly I had to machine the drum a bit where it was close to the backing plate lip.

 

The Break space on early is 1.375 and on late it's 1.50" ????? and it's a matter of cutting drum or as they did in the early days Was to cut the lip off the backing plate it will work every time!

 

I used 62 Ford 8 inch backing plates and drums on my 57 Ford 9 inch rearend in my 34 Ford coupe. Worked great for many years.

 

Just curious--what is the advantage to using something other than the '57-'59 drums and plates?

-Brad

 

I just had the 57 Ford nine inch rearend housing and axles to work with, so had to look around for brakes.

 

I think the problem is parts availability....