Super Chief Brake Drums

[Drossman76]

Hello all!!

My stepson has a 1957 Super Chief and I'm looking for replacement brake drums, but am finding no luck anywhere!  Does anyone know where to find them at?  I think I understand the basic differences between the Star Chief and the Super Chief is that the Star Chief is a two door and the Super Chief is a four door, are the brake drums the same???  I can find those, but like I said, zero luck on the Super Chief drums.

Thank you all in advance!

Dave

[Frosty]

Have you tried comparing brake drums from a '57 Safari? Both are essentially station wagons, 2-door vs. 4-door.

Don't forget that the Safari and quite possibly the Super Chief shared some major components with the Nomad/210/Handyman Wagon from Chevy. So there may be a chance that the drums you are looking for might also be in the Chevy parts bin. However, do your homework and compare them.

Edited August 30, 2018 by Frosty

[Drossman76]

3 hours ago, Frosty said:

Have you tried comparing brake drums from a '57 Safari? Both are essentially station wagons, 2-door vs. 4-door.

Don't forget that the Safari and quite possibly the Super Chief shared some major components with the Nomad/210/Handyman Wagon from Chevy. So there may be a chance that the drums you are looking for might also be in the Chevy parts bin. However, do your homework and compare them.

Thank you for the tip!  I found a company that will do a four wheel disk brake conversion with a late 60's-70's style booster/master cylinder.  It comes at a price though, nearly $1800.  But for the added stopping power and the "modernized" system I think the price is worth it.  I would like to add power steering to the car as well, so I'm going to look into what steering boxes/pumps/pulleys/belts may work.  

[Frosty]

Honestly, I agree with you. I think the 4-wheel disc conversion is safer, more reliable solution and easier to get parts for.

Again, don't be afraid to look at the Chevy side of things because of the Nomad/Safari connection. You might be able to get a compatible Chevy steering box or late(r) model Pontiac big car steering box with power lines. Then I would get a pump, betls, and brackets that fits your engine and get custom lines made. You might want to replace the rag joint while you are at it.

[Drossman76]

2 hours ago, Frosty said:

Honestly, I agree with you. I think the 4-wheel disc conversion is safer, more reliable solution and easier to get parts for.

Again, don't be afraid to look at the Chevy side of things because of the Nomad/Safari connection. You might be able to get a compatible Chevy steering box or late(r) model Pontiac big car steering box with power lines. Then I would get a pump, betls, and brackets that fits your engine and get custom lines made. You might want to replace the rag joint while you are at it.

Thank you all for your help, I hope that once I get to know this car a bit more I'll be able to contribute more for others! I'm pretty confident I'll be able to piece a power steering system together, I was being hopeful that maybe, just maybe another GM system may work on it.  I've got a local place that can do the hoses so that part will be easy.