Brakes: 64 Cruiser Brakes

[RadCruiser]

Alright, so for the 4 months I've had my 64 Cruiser on the road I have finally worn out the already beat to death brake shoes. At this point even with them adjusted all the way out, the pedal goes almost to the floor before I get a tiny bit of brakes.
In the picture that's one of the front ones, the other one also developed a crack that will soon crack the shoe in half if I run it anymore. I believe they are the 11" shoes, as I have the finned drums (pretty sure that's right).
I've looked at Studebaker International, but of course they don't list any available for 64-66... I've also tried a bunch of shoes from my local parts store, and the mustang ones the same layout but seem to be an inch too small. Any idea where I can get a set of these shoes? I really just need them to last me to November 3rd for the last car show and then over winter I'll put turner brakes on the front.
Also tried relining shoes, but since I can't find anyone in my area to do it, sending it out could take up to 4 weeks they said so I'd miss the show. help

[1962larksedan]

Are you sure you don't have air in the brake lines? One quick way to find out is to clamp off your three brake hoses and step on the pedal; if it high and firm you do have a brake adjustment issue, if still soft and low, bleed the 'you know what' out of the system.

[RadCruiser]

I'm sure I don't have any air, first thing I did was replace both the front cylinders as one was leaking a little bit so I bled them afterwards. I kinda noticed it getting worse and worse over a while, and now finally it goes to the floor and I got barely and brakes... doesn't help the e-brake is not working either.

[jimmijim8]

Sounds like you need to go over the brake system from starting point A. Be safe than sorry. Drums are fine on a Cruiser if the system is operating properly. Even discs with an el crappo MC won't work. cheers jimmijim

[candbstudebakers]

If you have 11" fin drums on the front and all cyl. check out good then besides your shoes being bad the drum might be way over size and then the adjustment might not make a difference, have them checked for size over the years they might have been turned many times, I know as I have lots of 11" drums both fin and regular. and by the way your shoes should be 2-1/4" wide.

[Bullet]

I see the brake shoes for the 64 Cruiser listed on page 261 of SI catalog. It is part number 1560103. Not cheap, but they are there if you are in a hurry.

Mark

[blackhawk]

I think Candbstudebakers is right. The inside diameters of your car's brake drums are now too large for the shoes. If this is true, new shoes will just be a temporary fix, since you will only be able to wear them part way out before you run out of adjustment. You will need to replace the brake drums if they have been turned too many times. With good drums, you can wear the brake lining right down to the metal shoe. Not that you should. I am just saying that you will not run out of adjustment before the lining is all gone. For what it is worth, I have never seen a brake shoe crack. That center rib is thick metal. I can't imagine what would have caused your's to crack.

[RadCruiser]

blackhawk, I did get the drums turned down a bit too as they were a bit out of round. So the drum being turned and the already crappy low shoes turned into just tiny bit of brake pedal. I'm just trying to get the shoes cause it is gona be a temporary fix as over the winter I'm swapping the front to disk. I'm just trying to make one car show, which is about an hour away in Nov and then it's getting parked.

EDIT:
So if I have the finned drums up front, that means I've got the 11" shoes? because I've tried the older mustang shoes which looked exactly the same but came out a bit short (think they are 10x2")

[candbstudebakers]

I just sent 28 11" front shoes to Chuck Collins in AZ, he is a good parts dealer and needed the cores to get relined.

[starliner62]

I have some real good drums and shoes with backing plates off of a 65 Cruiser that we just installed Turner discs on.

[RadCruiser]

dbstudebakers, Whats the usual turn around when you send them out? and general price? I'm sure you get a good discount for doing 30 at a time.

starliner62, How much would you want for the setup? I think I only need the shoes, and I'm only gona use them for a month... haha can I borrow the set till Nov?

Thanks for the replies guys.

[Jet Green Daytona]

Hey Rad Cruiser, I have a set of relined front brake shoes that I bought last year and didn't use. If you want them, they are yours. Just let me know. You can come pick them up at my house.

Todd

[candbstudebakers]

Hey Rad Cruiser, I have a set of relined front brake shoes that I bought last year and didn't use. If you want them, they are yours. Just let me know. You can come pick them up at my house.

Todd

There you go and can not beat the price, also close to home.

[RadCruiser]

Starliner62, how much would you want for the drums? Just in case mine are beat and worn down to far, and then turned on top of it.

Todd, your awesome I will definatly take you up on that offer. I'll send you my contact info once I'm out of work.

thanks again everyone, looks like I will make the show after all.

[Jet Green Daytona]

Starliner62, how much would you want for the drums? Just in case mine are beat and worn down to far, and then turned on top of it.

Todd, your awesome I will definatly take you up on that offer. I'll send you my contact info once I'm out of work.

thanks again everyone, looks like I will make the show after all.

Sounds great Radcruiser. I can only assume the show you are talking about in November is Reedsville, no sense in you missing that if I have the shoes for you. This might be the first time I can drive a Studebaker to Reedsville as well, so I am also looking forward to it.

I work nights, so I am going to sleep in a while, I probably won't respond to your contact information until tomorrow.

Todd