Question on rear brake mounting plates

[Jimflorida]

My second question of the day--its a good day in the garage. Now, So you won't think I'm just basically stupid, I got this car in parts, so I can't see how this came apart in order to put it back together. I'm questioning the orientation of my left side rear brake backing plate. On the right rear side, the brake cylinder is in the upper left on the mounting plate (see picture) On the left rear side, it doesn't look right, like someone put the mounting plate on wrong (got a picture of that too). Is this left side mounting plate wrong, and is it just a fix of taking the mounting bolts off and turning the mounting plate so that it is right?

 

[Jimflorida]

Here's the left side. It looks like the mounting plate should be perhaps one bolt hole over to the right so that the emergency brake mechanism would be accessible.

 

[nomad]

I'd say you are definetly right. The car has been changed to the later brakes and there are some other fitment issue's but I don't recall what they are at this time.

Kurt.

 

[Jimflorida]

Thanks. I guess it doesn't make any difference how the brake cylinder is oriented (top right, top left, or whatever). If I move the backing plate to the right about a quarter turn, then the cut-out in the backing plate for the handbrake lever would be the right position. Jim

 

[nomad]

I'm pretty sure that is correct, Jim, just so it pulls right with the hand brake rods which, I do remember, will have to be modified.
Seems like the axles will hit the brake cylinders if I remember correctly. May have to file or grind a little off the inside hub of the axle to take it easy on your brake cylinders. Since you are fitting wire wheel axles you should know that the axle housing is a different width from one to the other. You won't have much axle engagement with the wire axle. Most guys press the axle partially out of the hub to increase the engagemnt in the differential. Are you aware of this or has the axle housing been changed to one of the Mk 1 midget axle housings?

Kurt.

 

[nomad]

Just remembered----Your brake drums may bind against the new backing plates on a BE. I had a friend turn a little off the drums and I imagine any good brake shop could do that.

Kurt.