Re: Don’s 1937 (120) 138CD Deluxe Touring Limo

Posted by Bob J On 2023/8/21 11:41:45

Mine does have adaptors on the rear wheel cylinders too. They were there when I got the car so assume they are original. Adaptors have no affect on the flow of fluid so I see no negative to having them. You should be able to get them from any good auto parts shop. Just take a fitting that screws into the cylinder and one that the brake line threads into (or the brake line itself) with you to the parts desk and they will be able to get you the two adaptors you need.
I did not need to replace any springs so am not sure about the primary/secondary issue, but I suspect that the heavy spring could be used on both shoes, the lighter one would be a problem if it had to stand in for the heavy one. Their purpose is to keep the shoes back from the drum. During braking the shoes rub against the drum and twist to accentuate the grip so they are there as a return action, not a braking one.
I see no reason not to reuse the small spring on the cam adjuster as well. Again, it is simply an anti-rattle to hold the shoe to the cam when disengaged, not a source of braking action. Springs wear out through repeated elongation, this spring is relatively static, only moving through a small displacement of the shoe's travel.
Be sure to remove the cam, nut and screw at the side as well as the top anchor pin assembly and thoroughly clean them on a wire wheel and chase the threads with a die and then a tap run in through the nuts to have them work as smoothly as possible. Don't forget to clean and polish the bores in the backing plate as well to ease final shoe adjustment upon assembly. I used an anti-seize paste on the threads and bores also for the next generation to be able to do this easily too!
Bob J.